Summary is AI-generated, newsdesk-reviewed
  • Smartphones enhance access control security, reducing cloning vulnerability compared to traditional cards.
  • Longer-distance communication permits safer reader placement on door's secure side.
  • Smartphones ease remote access revocation, supporting robust multi-factor authentication.

Smartphones offer a new alternative to traditional physical access control form factors such as smart cards or fobs. Convenience is the most obvious benefit, but there are others. Here are some advantages of using smart devices for access control:

1. Less vulnerability to cloning when compared to magstripe or low-frequency proximity cards. Digital credentials and mobile IDs are securely stored and protected.

2. Longer-distance communication, which allows readers to be mounted on the safe side of a door.

3. Less likely to be stolen or shared – everyone keeps up with their smartphone!

4. Easier revocation of access rights remotely in case a mobile device is compromised.

5. Greater support for multi-factor authentication -- and more security.

Leveraging Mobile Devices For Access Control

Considering more than 500 million smartphones were sold in 2014, the opportunity is huge to leverage these devices for use in physical and logical access control systems. Using mobile devices to control physical access is the obvious next step for both employees and enterprises. To fully realize the opportunity, enterprises need to understand the technologies and how they can be implemented for physical and logical security applications.

Driven largely by convenience and operational efficiency, enterprises are increasingly seeking to leverage the full potential of a mobile-first world. Understanding the technology – and the opportunities it presents – is the first step. Convenience is only the beginning.

A new E-Book from HID Global provides a useful overview of what enterprises and their employees need to know about the potential of mobile access control.

Click Here to Download the White Paper Now!

Author profile

Larry Anderson Editor, SecurityInformed.com & SourceSecurity.com

An experienced journalist and long-time presence in the US security industry, Larry is SecurityInformed.com's eyes and ears in the fast-changing security marketplace, attending industry and corporate events, interviewing security leaders and contributing original editorial content to the site. He leads SecurityInformed's team of dedicated editorial and content professionals, guiding the "editorial roadmap" to ensure the site provides the most relevant content for security professionals.

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