Page 24 - Campus Security & Life Safety, January/February 2022

"The majority of students are digitally native and are
accustomed to using the latest technologies. Additionally,
phones and smart watches are valued personal property;
thus, they are much less likely to be misplaced, unlike By Jeff Koziol campus plastic cards and physical keys."
Unlocking a Secure & Seamless Campus: Key Considerations for Mobile Student IDs
Smart Cards
Can you imagine a day without your mobile phone? Most of us have done away with traditional alarm clocks and physi- cal calendars in favor of mobile alternatives, replaced unnecessary in-person meetings with efficient video calls and so much more. Mobile phones are an integral part of our daily lives, especially with the tech-savvy majority that makes up the campus population.
Based on recent trends, it’s easy to see why mobile devices are start- ing to shape the different systems we use not only to connect with people, but also to manage campus experiences at large. To keep pace with the security landscape across campuses, universities are evaluat- ing mobile credentials to enhance their security and streamline their student experience. This evolution starts with saying goodbye to the days of outdated, proprietary technology and welcoming in interop- erable solutions that are flexible to change with the institution’s evolv- ing security needs.
Enabling a Contactless Campus
While the transition to mobile student IDs has been happening for years, the pandemic further illuminated the benefits of a contactless campus. Many security directors and card office administrators have been contemplating the value of investing in smart cards or mobile student IDs. Mobile IDs offer the same contactless and security ben- efits as smart cards, plus they can be remotely deployed to avoid in- person contact. This digital adoption also helps alleviate long lines at the card office around orientation.
With seamless convenience in mind, students need only to present their mobile device or campus card in the RF field emitted by the reader for building access, dining, library transactions and more. They don’t need to hand over their credentials to a cashier to swipe or touch any objects. Nor do they have to swipe the magnetic stripe on their card—where they are essentially rubbing their hands on readers that have been touched by many others.
Mobile credentials also enable contact tracing, which is a core con- trol measure and key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission for various diseases and viruses, including COVID-19. Actions taken today will better prepare campuses for future public health crises.
Many are already incorporating lessons learned during this pandem- ic into their emergency preparedness plans.
Enhancing Student Mobile IDs Across Platforms
Most mobile student IDs are available on Android mobile devices and iPhones, for holistic access. This technology is now available from your wrist and is designed to become second nature for users. For instance, in partnership with technology provider CBORD, Allegion announced mobile credential support for student ID cards in Apple Wallet, which allows students to access their ID using their Apple Watch.
Additionally, Auburn University debuted their new Tiger Card in August 2021 with the goal of enhancing the student experience. The campus-issued mobile ID offers an added level of convenience and accessibility, and it can be used anywhere a plastic ID card is used, both on and off campus. Once provisioned, users simply present an iPhone, Apple Watch or Android phone to NFC-enabled devices to pay for food, vending or laundry, or to open exterior and interior doors to campus buildings and residence halls.
Adoption Among Campus Administration & Students
Apart from the convenient access to campus card activity, contactless credentials can also be instantly and remotely issued, revoked or reac- tivated, offering additional control and fraud protection for univer- sity administration.
The transition to mobile cards also allows campuses to gain opera- tional efficiencies, like a significant reduction in plastic cards. Through mobile credentials, campus administrators avoid the hassle and expense of issuing thousands of physical cards and replacing them if stolen.
The majority of students are digitally native and are accustomed to using the latest technologies. Take contactless mobile payments as an example—in-store mobile payments grew 29% in 2020, especially as consumers favored touchless technology over their cash and cards. Additionally, phones and smart watches are valued personal proper- ty; thus, they are much less likely to be misplaced, unlike campus plastic cards and physical keys.
The benefits can be seen from campus to campus. For example, the
24 campuslifesecurity.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022