For decades, key cards have been a pivotal piece in access control. But increasingly, more offices, educational institutions, hotels and other businesses are enabling access control through mobile phones an integral part of their security system. It represents a more cost-effective, simpler way for companies to manage identification credentials. And it eliminates numerous manual tasks related to handling, printing, distributing and disposing of physical identity badges.

Just like you have a credit card on your mobile phone today or you can warm up your car remotely through an app, you can use mobile phones to authorise personal access to any secured area. The phone is a new employee badge, key card, or fob key.

“The mobile revolution has become a vital part of access control. Not only can you carry your ID in your pocket wherever you go, but the digital credentials are every bit as secure as the traditional plastic access cards”– Peter Nesbitt, Managing Director, CCS Ireland”

How does mobile access control work?

An administrator grants access permissions to an end-user’s device. After receiving credentials, the end-user simply places their phone or smartwatch near a compatible door reader. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology transmit data between the device and reader to grant end-users access through the doors. No physical access card is necessary.

Benefits of Mobile ID/Credentials

Mobile ID has become an increasingly popular solution for identification and access control, with many institutions and organisations adopting it as their primary identification method.

There are several compelling reasons why a college should look at supporting mobile ID/credentials:

• Convenience: Mobile ID offers unparalleled convenience, allowing users to carry their ID and access control information on their smartphones. Users no longer need to carry a physical ID card, which can be easily lost or damaged, and can instead access their ID information through a mobile app. Students are increasingly using their mobile devices for everything, from communication to online shopping. By updating to mobile ID/credentials, colleges can offer a more convenient way for students to access campus services and facilities.
• Contactless: With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing need for contactless technology. Mobile ID/credentials eliminate the need for physical cards, reducing the risk of contamination and enabling safer access to campus facilities. Users can simply hold up their smartphones to scanners for contactless access to buildings, events, and services, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring a safer environment for all.
• Security: Mobile ID/credentials offer enhanced security features compared to traditional ID cards, such as biometric authentication, which ensures that only authorised users can access sensitive data or enter secure locations. This helps to prevent identity theft, fraud, and other security breaches. Missing badges pose security risk and cost time and money to replace. Users also take longer to notice the missing badge compared to a missing phone.
• Cost-effective: Updating to mobile ID/credentials can be more cost-effective in the long run, as it eliminates the need for physical cards and the associated printing, shipping, as well as the cost of replacing lost or damaged cards. In addition, mobile ID can be updated easily, allowing for faster and more efficient changes to user information.
• Sustainability: With a growing emphasis on sustainability, mobile ID offers a more environmentally friendly solution compared to traditional ID cards. The production, printing, and distribution of plastic ID cards can be a significant source of waste and carbon emissions, which can be avoided with a mobile ID solution.
• Improved student experience: Mobile ID provides a better user experience as users can access their ID information more easily and quickly. The evolution of the digital ID will allow for additional college services and facilities be managed through the card as we evolve the diital ID into a smart one.
• Integration: Mobile ID can be integrated with other systems, such as attendance tracking, access control, and library services, providing a more seamless and integrated user experience. This can improve the efficiency of operations and reduce the burden of manual data entry.

Overall, updating to mobile ID can offer many benefits for both the college and the students, including convenience, security, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, while also improving the student experience and facilitating a more contactless campus environment. With these benefits, it is easy to see why many institutions and organisations are adopting mobile ID as their primary identification method, and why it is quickly becoming the preferred choice for many.

To find out more about CCS mobile identification solutions, drop us an email to sales@ccsireland.ie