Archive for ‘Access Control’

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October 20, 2011

New Study Reveals Trends in ID Cards in US Universities

A recent study conducted by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies in the United States reveals that students use their ID card for 6.36 applications.

The study also showed that 76 percent of colleges still use a magnetic stripe card, even though students are the leading first adapters for new technologies.

Only 31% of universities use proximity cards, 16% use proximity fobs/tokens, 10% use biometrics and 9% use smart cards. Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies earlier reported (September 8, 2011) that the same study showed that only 18% of universities believe their security access control is effective.

Beverly Vigue, vice president of education markets at Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies says, “Overall, the great majority of colleges still deploy picture ID cards, magnetic stripe cards, mechanical keys and barcodes for access control on campus versus newer, more secure technologies such as proximity and, especially, biometrics and smart cards.”

It is interesting to note international trends, specifically from the US, as South Africa often follows suite. You can read more about this study here.

Posted in Access Control, ID Card Technology, Insider Insight, Security, Smart Card | Leave a Comment »

September 9, 2011

Feedback on IFSEC 2011

We were so excited to showcase our product line at IFSEC Securex Johannesburg 2011 this week. The show is now complete, and as we debrief as a team, we like to reflect on the feedback we received from the visitors.

Link
The XID8300

Time and time again, we printed a sample card on this printer and the visitor exclaimed “Wow!”. The feedback we received was a reiteration of what we have believed since it’s release- the XID8300 is the best desktop card printer available. Full stop.

We can’t stop talking about some of the fantastic benefits wrapped in that little grey box:

  •     The clarity of print is unmatched by any other printer represented at the show.
  •     The UV ink we showcased was broadcasted by top VIP visitors as a “smart” security feature.
  •    Anyone who has ever sunk thousands of rands into printhead replacements knows that the Lifetime Print head Warranty is pure gold.
  •     The encoding modules available for the XID8300 will encode iClass HID cards, Mifare cards and other contact and contactless chips. This is an important feature for the visitors of IFSEC Securex, as many are in the process of migrating into a more self-sufficient in house system for their security.

When we got to that complicated question of pricing, each visitor was surprised at how reasonable the machine was. The price of EDIsecure Retransfer printers have come down significantly over the years- making this machine more value for money than any other plastic card printer available.

The LCP9000

The LCP9000 is a desktop colour laser personalisation unit, small enough to fit on a small desk, with the ability to engrave images into the plastic. A fully kitted card can have tactile and flat engraving of text or images, UV, ghost imaging and a mirage of security features. The market for this printer is significantly smaller than that of the XID8300, thanks to it’s more secure requirements and higher price tag.

We had videos running of the laser operating, as well as an actual demonstration of the full LCP9000 unit. The videos attracted congregations of people watching how the laser reflects, and engraves onto polycarbonate plastic. Lasers are awesome and this highly secure method of card issuance is awesome too.

Overall we are ecstatic about the results of the show and are looking forward to the next show we’ll be popping into!

Ready to join the CardsPlus revolution? Go ahead! Give us a call on 086 16 CARDS (22737) or
+27 11 894 3914 .

Posted in Access Control, Industry News, Plastic Card Printers, Security | Leave a Comment »

September 30, 2010

Biometrics and Access Control

Biometrics is seeing a rise in popularity internationally, and while it has its place in security management and access control, we have always believed that a layered security is the best security.

An interesting article by International Business Times dated 24 September 2010 outlines that biometrics is not as it appears on the big screen and in our favorite Sci-Fi thrillers. Promises have outpaced the actual technology and work needs to be done scientifically to improve the offering.

Biometric Systems Ruled Inherently Fallible offers a good insight to the potential pitfalls of relying completely on Biometrics to control access.

At CardsPlus, we support the layered security approach – coupling ID Cards with a biometric system for a stronger system.

Contact us at +27 11 894 3914 for more information on the solutions we have to offer for secure ID Cards.

Ready to join the CardsPlus revolution?

Posted in Access Control, ID Card Technology, Industry News, Security, Smart Card | Leave a Comment »

July 27, 2010

High-end Card Security is Linked to Specific Covert Tactics

Security on an ID or access control card is imperative for the safety of your organisation.

There are two types of security features – overt features are visible with the naked eye and covert features that require an additional assistant for viewing.

A secure card has a balance of both covert and overt features.

These 3 tips are covert security features and things that those validating entry or identification can recognise as valid or fraudulent using specific tools.

Ultra-violet Ink – Reprint logos, text or card holder’s identification in UV ink. Under a UV light source, the light reflection will be visible. Under normal light, the ink is not visible.

Invisible Personal Information (IPI) – IPI encodes personal data into the photo. This information is invisible to the naked eye, but can be seen through a simple decoding device as seen above.

Optically variable ink (OVI) Printing – Colour shifting inks reflect various wavelengths in white light differently, depending on the angle of incidence to the surface. An unaided eye will observe this effect as a change of colour as the viewing angle is changed.

A colour copier or scanner will only scan the document at one fixed angle relative to the card’s surface making unauthorised replication very difficult.

Call in today to see how we can help amp up your card security!

Posted in Access Control, ID Card Technology, Industry News | Leave a Comment »

May 14, 2010

Amp up your Card Security with these 6 Visual Tricks

Security on an ID or access control card is imperative for the safety of your organisation.

There are two types of security features– overt features are visible with the naked eye and covert features that require an additional assistant for viewing.

These 6 tips are overt security features and things that those validating entry or identification can recognise as valid or fraudulent.


1. Picture perfect—Does the ID photo show both the ears, nose and chin clearly? An ID photo that clearly shows all facial features is much more secure than one with sunglasses, a hat or even just a blurry overcast.

The ideal ID photo has a white background to prevent distraction from the subject.

 

2. Get spooky– A ghost image is a less opaque version of the users photo in a smaller size. Ghost image generation is very specific and a fraudulent image is easily detectable.

Keep in mind that a ghost image is not a watermark. In a watermark the brightness of an image is increased so that small detail is washed away. Instead, the ghost image has a dropped opacity which will ensure that the image retains most of the important detail.

 

3. Embrace the Guilloché– a guilloche pattern is a complex spirograph of curves that are difficult to replicate or scan.

Every guilloche looks different. This one on the right is made with blue and purple lines and a specific step curve.

4. Cast an overlay– A variety of overlays are available from tamper-resistant patches and overlays to security holograms each acting as another barrier against the outside world. Double-team a patch and a holographic overlay for extra assurance.

5. Make it micro (text)– Many passports and security documents have words carefully written in a tiny font along curves of designs. It’s seemingly invisible unless you know to look for it!

On this image can you see the words ‘Royal Importing Corporation’?

6. Printer serialised– Security card printers like the EDIsecure XID retransfer printers have a feature whereby the serial number of the printer and the time printed can be printed automatically on the card to prevent and detect fraudulent cards.

Call in today to see how we can help amp up your card security!

Posted in Access Control, Design, ID Card Technology | 3 Comments »

March 30, 2010

CardsPlus Product Focus- the DCP240+


The single sided, edge to edge EDIsecure ® DCP 240+ is the hottest new accessory for small business owners looking to ramp up their security, marketing and sales in a low cost solution. The low price point and feature-rich application ensures the DCP240+ is quickly becoming the go-to machine for entry level card printing.

Printer is the perfect solution to enter the world of ID card printing. With its remarkable print speed, excellent image quality and user-friendly operation, the DCP240+ is ideal for issuing membership cards, loyalty cards, and ID cards.

Using the DCP240+, you can enjoy high productivity- up to 160 full-colour and up to 750 monochrome cards can be printed per hour. The convenient automatic front card loading and output and user-friendly design allows for easy operation and maintenance.

Easy handling is guaranteed by the quick-change of supplies through re-loadable cartridges, operator replaceable printheads, front-facing card feeding and output, and continuous card cleaning. The advanced cleaning roller system removes particles that could scratch cards, damage printheads or diminish print quality.

The smart printer driver shows all information on the PC screen, including message prompts, colour image previews and online help.

With its attractive price point, it is truly the best single-sided card printer in its class.

Call in and see how the DCP240+ help grow your business!

Posted in Access Control, Demystifying the Technology, Plastic Card Printers, Printing 101 | Leave a Comment »

May 19, 2009

FAQs- How does a magnetic stripe work?

Technology can seem mysterious and sometimes daunting, but once explained, it becomes useful and familiar. It is then that its full power is loosed and one can utilize it for all it was meant to be.

These days, that simple black stripe on the back of your bank card seems somewhat outdated – so “yesterday” as the youth today would say- compared to the glitzy looking smart chip. However, it has not failed have a very fitting use for those who are in need of an affordable, straight forward way to collect and maintain data.

The stripe itself is a band of magnetic material – and it is capable of storing data by the modification of the iron-based particles through the process of encoding. The stripe is “read” by physical contact and swiping past a reading head.

Two types of magnetic stripes are available – each with its own level of strength, or coercivity – high-coercivity (Hi/Co) and low-coercivity (Lo/Co). Each stripe features 3 Tracks for encoding – Track 1 holds 79 alpha/numeric characters; Track 2, 40 numeric; Track 3, 107 numeric characters

How it functions:
As outlined, it is obvious that a magnetic stripe is simply a storage device. Its “magic” is held in the program that the magnetic reader communicates with.
The code, be it simply a name and ID number, or an encrypted code, containing secure information, is read into the program, then it, depending on its design, accomplishes the task that is required.

An excellent article on magnetic stripe cards and readers can be found at Magnetic Stripe Systems – A Primer .

Cards Plus, manufacturers and distributors of printed cards and card printing equipment, can assist with the printing and encoding of magnetic stripe cards. If you would like to discuss the potential use of a magnetic stripe in your card project, contact Cards Plus at 086 16 CARDS or 011 894 3914.

Posted in Access Control, Cards with Technology, Demystifying the Technology, Printing 101, Security | Leave a Comment »

December 30, 2008

ID Cards – A Multi Purpose Tool

When I was a kid, everyone wanted a Swiss Army Knife – this little pocket knife could whittle the finest point on a stick, open a can, trim your nails and cut the wrapper off your favorite candy bar. Leatherman has made a more manly version now – complete with screwdriver, pliers and beer bottle opener – no guy can be without one.

Multi purpose tools are convenient, lets face it. If one thing can accomplish more than one task, it becomes worth not only the investment, but also the effort to carry it.

With the advancing technology in digital card printing, it is now possible to make what used to be a very simple item, the basic ID Card into a multi purpose tool.

Deciding whether your company needs an Identification system is the first step – and answering a few questions will help make this initial decision.

1. Do you have a need to monitor access to your building for safety or security reasons?
2. Do you have certain rooms or equipment that you would like to restrict access to?
3. Would your company benefit from some of the technology available with features available on a plastic ID card – barcodes, magnetic stripes, smart chips – enabling things such as attendance management, canteen management, computer and copy machine management, parking lot management?

Once you have decided to upgrade or institute an Access Control/Credential Management system, we can assist you in getting the right card for the job – one that will provide all the features your company requires. With our advanced print technology, we at Cards Plus are able to print onto standard issue Proximity cards without damaging or shortening the life of the card. In addition we have a convenient Card Bureau service which will enable you to have cards printed in a very short turnaround time – 5 days or less – and to continue ordering on a batch order system as needed throughout the year.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your company’s needs, please call us at Cards Plus – 011 894 3914 (South Africa) or visit us at our website – http://www.cardsplus.co.za

Posted in Access Control, ID Card Technology | Leave a Comment »

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