Page 37 - Security Today, April 2020

“Cloud-based card issuance solutions are giving back both time and money while re-envisioning the way card offices operate.”
cloud-based model. There is end-to-end encryption of all sensi- tive data both in transit and at rest, using banking-level encryp- tion protocols. The use of digital certificates creates a trusted re- lationship between the cloud and the issuance console, and card data remains encrypted until it is printed, after which all person- ally identifiable information (PII) disappears.
All encryption keys are securely stored in tamper-proof hardware, and unique firmware ensures the printers cannot be hijacked, but will only work with the cloud-based issuance sys- tem software. The issuance console can also be used with a card reader so that print jobs are not released until an authorized card or credential has been physically presented for validation.
In addition to transforming security, privacy protection and the user experience, this cloud-based model also improves the ad- ministrator experience by simplifying high-volume card issuance management and delivery, while increasing control and security. It is no longer necessary to manage software and other IT re- sources typically required for card issuance.
Since there is no longer the need for printers to be locally connected to printers, the administrator is also saved the task of maintaining associated software updates and security patches across local computers connected to printers. Not only does this approach eliminate the problem of using legacy systems that limit the ability for IT or security personnel to track system ac- tivity, it also eliminates any capital expenditure requirements for deploying printers as part of a world-class card issuance imple- mentation. Instead, this cloud-based model introduces new eco- nomics for card operations, providing the option for resources to be leased and their costs bundled into a cloud-based offering.
New Economics of Cloud-based
Card Issuance
With a cloud-based platform, the entire ID card issuance process can be delivered through a service model billed on an annual or monthly-installment basis – hardware, software and service all in one offering. This approach cuts multiple layers of program costs while making it easier for administrators to scale the card office to accommodate future technology capabilities or changing volume demands. For instance, during periods of peak demand, large batches of cards can be produced and dispatched by com- mercial printing bureaus.
Cost savings can be substantial. This savings can include the typical annual cost for card stock, laminates and ribbons as well as the expense of service, maintenance and hardware and soft- ware updates. Not included are the costs of staff time required for issuance or reordering supplies, or IT resources to support the operation, or periodic replacement of obsolete equipment.
A service model enables administrators to convert their bud- get for ID card issuance into an operational expense that could amount to a service fee covering all ribbons, pre-printed cards and mag stripe encoding. This approach diminishes the previous unpredictable ancillary costs associated with owning and manag-
ing hardware and software by eliminating costs related to main- taining hardware, inventory, labor, and potentially the capital ex- penditure related to purchasing printers.
The cloud-based service model can include auto-replacement of cards and other consumables when needed, and delivers all the benefits associated with centralized control and visibility along with distributed or batch printing. Cloud-based solutions are aware of printer health and maintenance needs, as well as all activity down to the printer level, including the status of consum- ables. A service provider can, for instance, predict when a printer will run out of consumables, and drop-ship replacements to the customer when they need them.
Equally important, administrators who adopt a cloud-based model for their card office know that their operations will be compatible with today’s and tomorrow’s credential technology, including mobile IDs that enable users to carry ID cards on their smartphones. Solutions are generally also compatible with lead- ing card systems.
An example is HID Global’s HID FARGO Connect secure cloud-enabled card issuance system, which is compatible with systems including the CBORD solution for higher education and HID SAFE Enterprise software for managing identities and their access across physical access systems.
While the technology used by card production offices had largely remained static, the technology available to most other operations in the enterprise and a university campus has ad- vanced considerably, improving how employees were onboarded and making it easier for university students to seamlessly register for classes online, pay fees and be ready for classes on the first day without waiting in physical lines.
The crucial task of printing and issuing student IDs has caught up with these advances, taking the inefficiency and inconvenience out of corporate ID badging while removing the fall crunch time for university card office administrators.
Cloud-based card issuance solutions are giving
back both time and money while re-envisioning
the way card offices operate.
Robin Tandon is the director of product market- ing, Cloud Solutions, at HID Global.com
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