Access control cards Kenya

Access control cards Kenya,When it comes to choosing an access control system, there are diverse options which may include but no limited to the following systems ,proprietary proximity cards, magnetic stripe cards, biometric systems, and smart cards.

For many facility managers, a one-card approach that uses smart cards may prove to offer the most benefits.

Smart cards

How does a smart card system benefit facility managers or other areas of uses?

First, consider the alternative without smart cards. Under a business-as-usual scenario, an office building with a base-building access control system may have its own controllers that are separate from the tenants’ card access system controllers.

Tying them together requires integration between various access control systems and possibly multiple types of cards.

Or consider a hospital or university. Specific buildings or even departments may have their own systems, requiring different access cards.

This can cause confusion when trying to track which cards access which facilities.

Enter the smart card. Smart cards contain a computer chip programmed with personal information about the cardholder and the access point or points the individual is allowed to enter.

One benefit of smart cards is that they can be integrated with different technologies, including proprietary proximity, magnetic-stripe and biometric systems. That allows smart cards to be used in different locations with different technology readers.

The benefits of smart cards don’t stop there. A smart card that is programmed to be read by different types of readers or by a multi-technology reader at different locations is expandable through the addition of new access control panels and readers. That means better flexibility.

Smart cards can also help protect corporate information networks so-called logical access control, as compared with physical access control for entry into a facility.

IT departments seek logical access as a lock on a company’s computer network. In a logical access control system, a user’s smart card is inserted into a card reader linked to the cardholder’s workstation.

Logical access using a smart card reader provides better security than a password because employees often fail to log off their workstations at the end of a day, allowing others to access sensitive company files.

The smart card solves that problem because removal of the card unlinks a workstation from a company’s computer network.

Mifare cards

MIFARE Cards Kenya

Are you searching for more information on MIFARE cards?

With so many types available and the arrival of DESFire EV3, deciding which is best for you needs can be difficult. Here’s an in-depth look at the 2020 MIFARE range to help you out.

The best MIFARE card for you will depend on your security requirements, as well as the quantity and capacity for stored data you require.

To make it as easy as possible, we’ve put together this in-depth guide including all you need to know about the 2020 MIFARE range. But first, let’s start by explaining exactly what a MIFARE card is.

1. What are MIFARE cards?

MIFARE is a contactless card technology that was introduced in 1994. It was primarily used for transport passes, but its technological capabilities quickly made it one of the most popular smart cards for storing data and providing access control.

All MIFARE cards comply with the ISO14443A industry-standard requirement and, like other contactless cards, use an internal antenna and chip that reacts once a card is within the magnetic field of a reader.

All MIFARE cards operate at a 13.56MHz frequency and are made by NXP Semiconductors – part of Phillips Electronics.

Below is a timeline showcasing how MIFARE cards and technology has revolutionized the way we live.

2. What are the key benefits of a MIFARE card?

The beauty of MIFARE technology is that it allows for multiple application uses that other cards do not. Benefits include:

3. What can MIFARE cards be used for?

These benefits mean the uses of MIFARE technology cards are practically endless.

4. The MIFARE family: What are the different types?

There are several distinct types of MIFARE technologies available, the include the following

MIFARE Classic

MIFARE DESFire EV2

MIFARE DESFire EV3

MIFARE Ultralight

MIFARE Plus EV2

5. Additional MIFARE options

Memory

A card’s memory capacity is important because it will define the applications, you’ll be able to use the card for.

Simply put, the greater the complexity of the end-product, the higher the storage capacity you will require. This is reflected in the DESFire range, where greater memory options are available.

Equally, cards such as the MIFARE Ultralight don’t have a lot of storage to start with because they are designed to be disposable; 4K of memory would be overkill for a single-use card.

Magnetic stripe

Although the MIFARE family is completely contactless by nature, both Classic and DESFire cards can be ordered with magstripe options.

This can help you integrate your MIFARE cards with existing, older systems that still require a magnetic stripe reader to function.

Magnetic stripe cards

Magnetic Strips How They Work

The chances are pretty good that at some point today you will use a card that has a magnetic strip on it.

Your credit card, your office ID, or maybe your hotel room card. Everybody uses them, but have you ever wondered how they work?

What is a magnetic stripe card?

The first magnetic stripe cards were created in the 1960s when an engineer at IBM found a way to combine magnetic tape, which was commonly used in mainframe computers for data backup, with a plastic card substrate.

Since the process of storing data on magnetic tape was well-established, this was an ideal way to store a limited amount of information in an easy to carry form.

Each magnetic strip on a card is encoded with specific information. The “information” on each card is actually thousands of tiny, iron-based particles that have been magnetized or set in different directions by a device that produces a strong magnetic field.

There are an almost infinite number of combinations that can be produced, which makes them so incredibly useful.

On each magnetic strip, there are either two or three data tracks. Each track contains specific information.

Track one typically stores an account number, the cardholder’s name, the expiration date of the card and any other information relevant to its use.

Track two was developed by the banking industry and typically stores a copy of the first track but without the name of the cardholder.

Track two also has a service code which includes security functions, such as what type of transaction is permitted with the card.

The third track is rarely used (and may not be present at all), but can be loaded with any necessary information.

The device that actually creates the combination of magnetized particles is a solenoid essentially a wire coil that is wound around a metallic core which produces a strong magnetic field when a current is passed through it.

This device encodes the required information onto the stripe, which is then pasted on a plastic card.

How does a magnetic stripe reader work?
When a card with a magnetic strip is moved back and forth over any kind of ‘reader head’, such as the swiping device on your hotel door or at the supermarket checkout, voltage is introduced into the coils of the card reader device.

The voltage can be recorded electronically, and is then read by a computer (or a processor installed within the reader) to authenticate a user (in the case of identity cards) or a transaction (in the case of credit/debit cards).

Why do they stop working?
As you well know, we usually put these cards through quite a bit of abuse. In and out of your wallet.

Up and down through the swiping machines. Over time, the magnetic particles can be scratched or just plain wear off of the card.

The other issue, ironically enough, is the same thing used to create its magnetism. A strong enough magnetic current, applied too close to the magnetic stripe, can rearrange or erase the magnetized iron particles. And the current doesn’t have to be very strong, either.

A basic refrigerator magnet has enough magnetic current to do damage if it’s brought too close to the card.

Proximity cards.

How Proximity Cards Work

What is a proximity card?

A proximity card is a contactless card which can be read without insertion into a card reading device. Because they don’t require a swipe, they can be left in a wallet or purse and still serve their purpose.

Prox cards look the same as the typical 30 mil PVC card but they have an embedded metallic antenna coil inside which hold the encoded data. However, other proximity products include clamshell cards, key fobs and stickers.

How do proximity cards work?

A proximity card is a contactless card which can be read without insertion into a card reading device.

Because they don’t require a swipe, they can be left in a wallet or purse and still serve their purpose. Prox cards use a low 125 kHz radio frequency to transmit to a door access reader.

When the card is placed on the reader, the card’s unique strand of numbers is passed to the access control panel, which verifies if the number matches an approved number in the internal database. If the card number is approved, the door will be unlocked.

The science behind the scenes:

Bit Formats – There are a number of bit formats that can be used, for example: 26, 32, 34, 35 and up to 40. The important thing to know is that 26bit is the standard (Wiegand) while others are brand specific.

Brand specific, or closed formats, are not any more secure, they are just a way to make you come back to buy all your future cards.

The card number encoded is made up of 4 parts:

1. Parity bits – You don’t need to know about parity bits, just know they are encoded there for added security. They appear at the beginning and end of your encoded data.
2. The Facility code – When you start a door access program and get prox cards for the first time, you will be given a Facility Code. This is generally a number between 1 and 255. This is used as part of the card encoding to help secure your building.
3. The card number – This is exactly how it sounds. You start you prox card program at card #1 and go up from there.

Proximity Card Encoding Example:

How to order more prox cards:

You will need to provide 4 pieces of information. All this can be found in the access control panel on-site.

1. Bit Format – 26 (standard), or any number between 24 and 40.
2. Card Type – This is often printed on the card or found in the control panel.
3. Facility code – every building as a different facility code so if you have multiple locations, make sure you get the current facility code.
4. Range of new card numbers – if your last card is #7283 and you want to order 1000 more, your range would be 7284 – 8283. Be very mindful of this sequential numbering and DO NOT overlap card ranges. If two cards are given the same number your system will see them as one card.

Note 1: Any prox format, or card type, can be encoded to match any bit format so if you have a typical prox card and want to start using fobs, you can do that.

Note 2: If you cannot find the above information, you can send us a working card and we can read the data on it and gather all the info we need to help you order your new batch.

Note 3: While HID is the most popular brand, there are more brands that offer a great product at an attractive price. Even if you have HID, you can buy another brand with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Our ID System Specialists are here to help with any questions you may have throughout the process. So just pick up the phone and call, you will get a live person every time! 866.438.4553.

Final Pro Tip – If you are printing on proximity cards, you will get best results with a retransfer printer instead of a direct to card printer. Colors, print clarity and durability of your printer will be better due to the printing technology.

What’s the Difference Between a MIFARE & a Proximity Card?

In addition to the security industry, access control maintains its constant growth among many organizations around the globe.

This includes our customers! The majority of them are using some type of proximity card or MIFARE card for access control, ticketing, toll, time & attendance, and other applications.

However, it’s easy to confuse a proximity card with a MIFARE card. Here are the basic differences between the two technology card options:

Proximity Cards
The microchip embedded within a proximity card has only one function: to provide the prox card reader with the card’s identification number and/or site facility code number so it can be verified with a remote computer.

Many access control systems only read the identification numbers and do not require the available memory that is present in a smart card. Prox cards – such as the HID 1386 prox card – are commonly used for door access.

MIFARE Cards
A bit of history: MIFARE cards and card readers were originally developed to handle payment transactions for public transportation systems in Europe.

Today, MIFARE cards can provide identification, authentication, and store information on the card because of the microchip and memory which is embedded within the MIFARE card.

These cards are very durable and designed to keep your sensitive information safe. Encryption keys prevent data from being emitted until the MIFARE card and card reader mutually authenticate each other.

It’s also an RFID card because of its frequency of 13.56 KHz. MIFARE cards have three main differences from a standard proximity card:

• The frequency of a MIFARE card is 13.56 Mhz. A standard 1386 proximity card is 125KHz.
• The standard MIFARE card is factory programmed with a unique 32-bit serial number. This is a random number and does not contain a facility code. Most 26-bit proximity cards use a facility code within their configurations.
• A MIFARE card has memory for storing values (typically up to 1 kilobyte of data). A proximity card does not have the capacity to store values.

A MIFARE card can be programmed with multiple credentials, which adds an extra “handshake” between the card reader and the card reader software.

The memory within the MIFARE card can also be programmed for use as a cash card or a pre-paid membership card.

RFID Readers & Prox Card Readers
It’s important to make sure your cards readers can “read” technology cards that are 13.56 KHz; your readers may only be able to read the 125KHz frequency.

Also, MIFARE cards come pre-encoded with a unique 32-bit number, so you will need to make sure your software can read 32-bit formats.

We understand that choosing the right technology card for your application can be confusing and somewhat complicated.

Whether you need a proximity card or MIFARE card for your organization, there’s no need to stress out over it. ID Wholesaler has you covered! Our friendly, knowledgeable ID Professionals are happy to help.