A proximity card — prox card for short — is a type of contactless security clearance badge. Rather than having to insert or swipe your ID badge, you only need to hover it close enough to its card reader to share its frequency.
On the surface, these cards look identical to any PVC card used in a traditional security system. They fit perfectly in the folds of a wallet or hang seamlessly from a custom lanyard. But the technology imprinted in this plastic badge opens up a whole new approach to your security system.
How Does a Prox Card Work?
The typical proximity card relies on Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) to send data electronically. It’s outfitted with a metallic antenna coil that can hold and emit information using a low radio frequency. A sophisticated ID card printer embeds the appropriate code upon printing.
When within range of an ID badge reader, a prox card sends its data (usually a strand of unique numbers) for verification. The reader will compare this data to its security clearance requirements. If it matches, it will give the cardholder authorization to access your business — whether it’s a physical room or digital access to confidential servers.
In many ways, it works similarly to the bank card in your wallet, just on a smaller scale. While prox cards use low radio frequencies, your bank card uses high-frequency RFID technology to transmit and protect your financial data.
Who Makes Prox Cards?
In the world of security ID card systems, nearly every big name has a proximity card or two in their inventory. A photo ID warehouse such as Avon Security Products makes it easy to compare these brands all in one place. The id card systems by Avon Security Products include a wide variety of prox card manufacturers, including SecureASP, HID, Kantech, Mifare, and more.
Take the time to compare what an HID proximity card offers over those made by SecureASP or Kantech. Your attention to detail here will help you find the best fit for your ID card system.
Why Add Prox Cards to Your Security?
Proximity badges are an easy and convenient way for your employees to pass through security checkpoints. They’re simple to produce, too, when you have a sophisticated ID card printer available.
Nowadays, a proximity card has never been more valuable. In a post-coronavirus, you need to re-evaluate the way your employees and guests move through your workspace. Policies will change the layout of your office and transform the way people share common areas, such as elevators, canteens, and meeting rooms.
An ID card system that relies on RFID cuts down on the number of shared surfaces your employees will have to touch. Rather than handling a reader that requires swiping or inserting an ID badge, they have a contactless way to access the building.
As you reimagine how you work, consider how a prox card system can help your employees return to work with more confidence.
