HID Launches New High-Security, RFID Access Cards to Upgrade Physical Access Control

Author: Jason Bourne

HID announced the launch of its HID keyfobs HID® 1326 new high-frequency 13.56 MHz access card product line delivering increased security at a much lower cost with the excellent compatibility, service, and quality standards that have made HID card offerings so popular.

Despite the security weaknesses of 125 kHz proximity card systems, adoption of more secure replacements has been hampered by the lack of alternatives that meet all of the customer requirements for such a solution — low cost, seamless support of existing systems, easy migration, simple ordering and enrollment of cards, and a high level of security certified by independent third-party organizations. The HID keyfobs line meets all of these requirements and delivers high-assurance identity and access card authenticity to both newly deployed and existing physical access control systems.

HID Cards are priced to be significantly less expensive than both proximity and smart card solutions from other vendors. HID is able to provide these substantial cost savings to customers by being the first to utilize the latest ProxCard® ProxCard® ii technology, specifically developed for physical access cards.

To make ordering as simple as possible, HID keyfobs come in just two models: 1326 Standard Cards, for new installations, and HID Migration Cards, which include 125 kHz proximity technology that interoperates seamlessly with existing 125 kHz proximity readers. HID Cards further simplify the migration process by supporting the commonly used Wiegand card data formats used on proximity cards today.

In addition to low cost and seamless compatibility with proximity systems, HID Cards feature very high security. The 1326 ProxCard® II platform used in the cards carries the Common Criteria EAL4+ certification, trusted by governments and organizations worldwide as the benchmark in external security validation. This recognizes the robust design and open specification of the platform, and contrasts sharply with alternative solutions that do not carry certifications, do not make their protocols available for review, and lock their customers into proprietary, unscalable security schemes.

To simplify the enrollment process, HID also provides the HID Universal Enrollment Station, a USB-connected device that automates the process of reading card numbers and entering them into the physical access control system software. The uTrust TS Universal Enrollment Station is compatible with HID Keyfob.