Tag Archives: HID Prox Card

HID Prox Card

HID Prox Card IIHID Prox Card

The HID prox card contains an integrated circuit that a reader on the same frequency scans. As part of an access control system, the card is a critical component in managing secure facilities or networks. When presented to the reader, the card transmits encoded information. A specialized controller or software application interprets this information, then compares it to a set of rules and permissions. These rules allow the software to determine whether or not the card holder should have access to the requested resource.

Types of Prox Devices

The ISO HID prox card combines the printable properties of standard PVC cards with the access control features listed above. While these cards are more expensive than standard PVC cards, most users consider their dual purpose to be a good value.

The clam-shell HID prox card is not a printable prox card. To serve as a visual ID, it requires the application of a printable pressure sensitive card.

Tags and keyfobs cannot serve as visual IDs but use the same technology as other prox devices for access control purposes. These are especially popular in housing developments for access to common areas such as pools, gyms, and laundry facilities.

How to Acquire Prox Devices

Safe-Card ID Services offers HID prox cards that are pre-encoded to match a user’s system specifications. To make issuance easier, many users print on these pre-encoded ISO cards or apply an overlay to clam-shell cards.

A wide range of printers feature optional encoding modules. These modules enable the on-demand encoding of ISO HID prox cards to match the specification of an access control system. Current Fargo printers that can encode HID prox cards are the Fargo HDP5000, Fargo HDP5600, Fargo DTC1250e, Fargo DTC4250e, and Fargo DTC4500e. For information about cards that can be used with identification applications, visit our HID prox-card page.

HID Access Card Printing Tips

When printing your HID Access cards follow these instructions to achieve best results. Start by printing a test card with a regular CR80 PVC Card to ensure your template and design are up to your standards, then;

– Always check cards for manufacturing debris. Sometimes there are small pieces of vinyl on the card. Carefully clean cards using 99% pure Isopropyl alcohol and a soft, lint free cloth.

– The office where you print the cards should be neat, clean and free of airborne particles. If not purchase a dust cover for when the printer is not in use.

– Check the printer’s roller frequently. Clean the printer roller after printing 50 cards (or fewer).

– Fine scuff marks may appear on the surface of cards. These marks do not affect the printer, nor the printed images. These scuff marks occur during final inspection and testing.

– Printer manufacturers discourage printing cards which are pre¬punched. The slot edge may tear the printer ribbon or interfere with card position sensors. Therefore, print your cards first, then slot punch them. For cards that are already punched, do not print in the area near the slot. If the card has an embedded contact chip, keep the printing at least .0625 in [1.5875 mm] away from its edges.

As always for information contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services today.

Proper Access/HID Card Slotting

Access or proximity cards will have slot punch indicators, small dots visible on the card back
which show the only allowable slot locations for the card. While it is perfectly acceptable to slot punch your access cards, we strongly suggest using badge grippers or clamps instead. These attachment devices work the same as slot clips, and better maintain the structural integrity of your technology card.

If you must slot punch the card, carefully center the indicator marks to the punch, and punch only where the indicator marks appear. Any other position may damage the interior circuitry and thus cause the card not to work.

Always test the first card after printing and slotting. Once you are satisfied with the results you can go ahead and print the rest of the batch. For more information contact an expert at Safe-Card ID Services today.

 

HID Access Cards – How They Work

An HID proximity card is a card with embedded information encoded inside. The information transmitted can allow door activation or login to a networked computer system. With access card systems, reports can be generated to provide specific details as to which card holders have attempted access and which cards have activated entry.

The HID Prox card holds information embedded inside and has capability within an access system to activate a door or log someone into a computer network. The proximity card does not have the capability of accessing an area within itself. The card within the framework of an access system will provide security and appropriate access to a controlled area.

The card is combined with a card reader, access control panel and a computer to form a complete access system. In combination, the system is able to function as a security officer that allows card holders into specific secured doors at certain dates and times.

The card holds an embedded binary code, which is a sequence of ones and zeros. These are used in a specific sequence to identify a card holder. The coding format is transmitted from the card reader to the control panel for deciphering. The card may or may not have additional code embedded in the card. The access control panel normally does not use extra coding, but reviews the formatted code utilized in the system.

When the controller receives the data, it begins the steps to verify if the cardholder has access to the building. The length of the data string is analyzed prior to proceeding. If the format is different, the control panel will not be able to process the request.
Once the format is verified, the controller can then check the facility code and site code for a match. If this is true, the controller moves ahead to match the card number. A matching card number will move the analysis forward. The information is then reviewed to see if the card holder has authorization to access during the date and time the access request is made. If so, the lock relay will activate and the door or network will unlock for access.

If the HID prox card is not able to successfully move through the above steps, access is denied. The system may provide a specific response from the controller or there may not be any response at all.

The software application processing authentication transactions can be accessed by authorized personnel to updated cardholder information, configure hardware and to generate reports of access attempts and successes.

How an HID Prox Card Works

ISOPROX

A proximity card by HID is capable of storing embedded information inside. The information stored can be extracted and transmitted to a control system for processing. If the information transmitted lines up with the data stored in the control system, the system will provide an appropriate action, such as unlocking a door for a card holder.

The HID prox card, sized the same as your credit card, is part of a system that includes the cards, a card reader or readers, computer and an access control panel. Together, these components work together to act as a security officer in an organization to approve access to secure facilities or networks. Detailed, accurate reporting occurs with this system as the electronic devices log each transaction.

HID cards work as they carry an embedded binary code unique to the card holder. The code is referenced to the card holder in the database in the access system and is a specific sequence number that can be extracted by a card reader when swiped or held near the card reader.

The card reader connected to the access control system relays the sequencing for review when the card is held near. The control panel accepts the information and reviews it in a specific order to determine access eligibility. The data string is first reviewed for length. If that is correct, the binary code formatting is reviewed to determine if it can be recognized. With positive results, the system advances to review the facility code and the site code for positive matching results. If the card number is then confirmed in the database without restrictions on current time or location, the card holder is approved for access. The controller provides authorization to unlock the mechanisms restricting the door or network from opening.

The security personnel in charge of the software application have authorization to enter the database and update card holder information. Authorized people can configure the door access hardware to open and they can approve of the HID prox card entry at specific times. Reports for all activities can be generated as needed for management review.

Want to learn more about HID access cards and systems? Check out these links from our blog:

Using an HID card as an Identification Card

Tips for Printing on Your HID Card

Components of an Access System

Best Practices with HID Cards

HID Prox Cards – Best Practices

DUPROX
HID prox cards are used to provide security for physical and virtual assets of an organization. With the correct use of access control systems, the companies confidential areas can be tightly controlled from unauthorized users.

When implementing an access control system, it is important that the processes set in place facilitate the desired security levels. One of the places in the security process that is vulnerable is the HID prox card. Without proper handling and clear procedures, the card will not provide the security measures needed. For success with these cards, the following recommendations are provided for your review.

1. Make sure that old prox cards are voided immediately. If not voided, an unauthorized person could locate and use the card.

2. Authorize cards upon inital issuance. If cards are pre-validated and spare, the card can be used inappropriately.

3. Investigate situations where access is denied with a non standard denial response. “Card out of range”, “unrecognized,” and other responses indicating incorrect facility codes and formats indicate an illegally obtained card may have been used to attempt access.

4. Use security mechanisms on the card, such as a hologram, to discourage tampering with the card and increasing security levels.

5. Use RFID shield devices when appropriate.

6. Advise card holders to display their badge only when on company property.

Tips for Printing on Your HID Prox Card

PROXCARD
When printing from an ID card printer directly to your HID prox card (1386 cards), it is important to load your cards into the ID card printer hopper in the correct way. When the card prints and ejects the card from the printer, it is important that the image of the card is printed on the correct side with the correct edge at the top.

If you are going to be slot punching the HID prox card to wear the badge with a badge holder, punching the card correctly is critical. There are four small, usually blue, colored dots on the upper back side of the HID cards. The dots indicate where a slot punch can be safely placed.

If the HID card is slot punched at a different location than where the dots are located, the internal functioning of the card can be damaged. The internal electronic mechanics of the card run throughout the inside of the card. If part of the functioning pieces are damaged by the slot punch, the HID prox card will be non-functional.

Learn how to use an HID prox card as an identification card without directly printing on the card.

How HID Prox Cards Work

Proximity Badges

An HID prox card allows a card with information embedded inside to activate and open a door so that the cardholder can enter a secure area. The proximity card does not have the capability of accessing an area within itself. The card with additional components, provides a complete system that provides security for a controlled area.

The card is normally combined with three other items to complete an access system. In addition to the cards, a system consists of a card reader, an access control panel and a computer. In combination with each other, the system is able to function as a security officer allowing authorized persons into a building at authorized times of the day or night.

The card does not have any additional item in it over an embedded binary code (ones and zeros) that are used in a specific sequence to identify the card holder. The format of the coding is able to be picked up by the card reader and transferred to the control panel for deciphering. The card usually does not have additional information stored in it outside of the formatted code. Occasionally, the card may contain an additional code that some readers will strip off and possibly use. The format however, transfers to the access control panel.

When the controller receives the data from the card reader, the controller begins the process of the information. Various steps are completed to determine whether the cardholder has access to the building. Some of the criteria a controller uses are to review the length of the data string and the format of the information. It may be possible that a card held up to a reader is in a different format that the controller can not process.

The controller then checks the facility code and site code for a match. If so, the card number is reviewed for a match in the database. If there, the card may be reviewed to see if it is authorized for that specific time frame and date. If so, the lock relay will be activated to allow the door to open.

If the card is not able to activate the door opener, some systems will provide a specific response from the controller. Other systems may not provide any response at all.

The computer which hosts the controller will provide a software application allowing authorized personnel to update cardholder information, configure the hardware that allows door access and provides reporting functions regarding the system use.

For more information about HID prox cards, proximity cards or smart card badge holders, contact our id card experts toll free at 888-485-4696.

HID Prox Cards – Increase Safety and Eliminate Proximity Card Cloning

Proxcard II

Proximity cards are contactless integrated circuit cards that are used to access a secure area or network. The increased security of these cards make them imperative in the operations of many organizations with confidential areas and databases of personal information.

Although technology can provide a high level of security. The cards will not, within themselves, provide complete security without proper policies and procedures implemented throughout the organization.

HID corporation recommends implementing the following procedures with the use of prox cards to maximize security and eliminate the possibility of cloning the cards for improper uses.

  1. Require immediate reporting of lost or stolen cards (so they can be deleted from the system)
  2. Prohibit sharing or lending of cards
  3. Encourage employees to shield their cards from public view when not at work (this makes sense from a privacy perspective as well if a name and picture are printed on the card)
  4.  Encourage reporting of suspicious activity at the facility
  5. Discourage “tailgating” where one employee uses a card to gain access and others follow without using their own cards.

HID also recommends using RFID shielding products to increase the security level of HID cards not in use.

Current Fargo printers that will allow encoding of proximity cards are the Fargo HDP5000, Fargo DTC550 and Fargo DTC400e. For information about cards that can be integrated with identification applications, visit our HID prox card page.