Page 78 - Security Today, March/April 2024

ACCESS CONTROL
credentials across multiple systems. HR enters privileges when an employee is onboarded, and Active Directory auto- matically populates those credentials to other relevant campus systems.
Conversely, when an employee is terminated or leaves the organization, HR can rescind all privileges at once through the same Active Directory integration.
A third trend rising in popularity is the use of mobile technology and touch- less entry. Since COVID, there has been a growing reluctance to interact with door and keypad surfaces. In response, cam- puses have been installing more automatic door sensors and deploying more ad- vanced smartphone apps to unlock entries.
By taking advantage of Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) and up- and-coming Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tech- nology, campuses are making the user ex- perience easier and more convenient. Since nearly everyone carries a smartphone and is familiar with app technology, the learning curve for the new system is minimal. From a management perspective, if a phone is lost or compromised, campus security can quickly disable or change a person’s creden- tials without any user interaction needed.
INSTALLING MORE SECURE HARDWARE
Major changes have happened on the hardware front to accommodate new mo- bile access technology. Legacy 125 kHz RFID technology, magnetic strip and barcode readers are being replaced by smart card readers that are far more secure than their predecessors. While the older technology could be easily spoofed and copied, this new access control technology provides end-to-end encryption between a user’s mobile device or smartcard and the reader.
There also has been a major shift in door controller technology. Campuses are starting to replace traditional controllers, hardwired to a central location, with IP- based networked devices that allow for better scalability.
Instead of running multiple cables to
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“ SCHOOLS ARE REPLACING MECHANICAL LOCK AND KEY DOORS WITH WIRELESS LOCKING MECHANISMS AND ISSUING STUDENTS WITH SMART CARDS AND SMARTPHONE APPS IN LIEU OF DORM KEYS. THE MULTI-PURPOSE SMART CARDS AND SMARTPHONES CAN BE LOADED WITH OTHER APPLICATIONS, MAKING THEM EFFICIENT PLATFORMS FOR MANAGING OTHER DATA SUCH AS MEAL PLAN CREDITS, COPIER/ PRINT SERVICES, FINGERPRINTS FOR DUAL AUTHENTICATION AND MORE.”
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a head end, IP door controllers can be in- stalled near the door via a single cable from the nearest IT closet with a PoE network switch. Or, in the case of new wireless lock technology, the controller can communi- cate via Wi-Fi or radio frequency technol- ogy with the access management system.
Smart, wireless door locks are mak- ing inroads on college campuses. Schools are replacing mechanical lock and key doors with wireless locking mechanisms and issuing students with smart cards and smartphone apps in lieu of dorm keys. The multi-purpose smart cards and smart- phones can be loaded with other applica- tions, making them efficient platforms for managing other data such as meal plan credits, copier/print services, fingerprints
for dual authentication and more. Hospitals have started using wire- less locks to secure high-risk areas of the campus like pharmacies and drug cabinets to control access to dangerous narcotics. Businesses have begun installing intelli- gent electrified locks on doors to sensitive areas like data centers to prevent unau- thorized access. In many installations, an unlock event triggers nearby network video cameras to live stream and record the view to security. It is an integration strategy designed to discourage users from shar- ing their assigned credentials with other,
unauthorized individuals.
LEVERAGING ANALYTICS AND AI
Campuses have been integrating more