RFID Keyfobs Make Managing Security Easier
Key fobs make it easier to manage security and keep track of employees’ movements. Tighter security is also a plus for businesses that wish to protect their facilities from theft, fire and natural disasters.
While hacking is possible, it’s rare for bad actors to take control of a fob. This is because the chips inside are write protected.
Access Control
A key fob is a small physical device attached to a keychain that works with an RFID system to open or lock doors. Fobs contain a microchip and an assigned frequency that communicates with the door’s reader. When the code and frequency match, the door opens. Fobs can be programmed with different codes and frequencies to allow multiple users access a building, based on their individual credentials.
Fobs are also a popular option for apartment complexes, as they make it easy to give residents and visitors access to common areas without needing to issue a new key card or ID tag. However, this type of system has several drawbacks that property management should be aware of.
Security: Fobs are vulnerable to hacking, as it’s possible to purchase card copying devices on eBay for as little as $11. Also, if a resident loses their fob, someone else could pick it up and use it to enter the building before staff can disable it.
This makes it important for businesses to consider adding two-factor authentication to their systems, as it will protect against hackers trying to access the data on their RFID keys. Biometric RFID Keyfob authentication is another great way to secure credentials and prevent unauthorized usage, as it can include things like fingerprints or iris scans.
Time & Attendance
The RFID technology in these fobs allows them to communicate with the reader by radio frequency. When the RFID card or fob is within range of the clocking device, the reader sends a signal to the software that tells it it’s time for an employee to punch in.
The system then takes the time and date into account to calculate payroll. This reduces the amount of human error, cuts costs for generating payroll and helps prevent time theft and buddy punching. According to Small Biz Genius, this can save a company as much as 7% of its gross annual payroll.
Some of these systems come with a network adapter that allows you to connect the time clock to your corporate network. This is usually more expensive than using a USB adapter, but it allows you to use the device in remote locations.
Typically the system is also available as a web-based application. This means that mifare desfire ev2 employees can access it via a web browser from any computer, but it requires you to dedicate a server for it and pay for updates, backups and a maintenance plan.
It’s important to note that each RFID reader has a limit on how many transactions it can store in its memory. It’s important to research this limitation and find out how often you’ll need to clear the device’s log so that new data can be recorded.
Asset Tracking
Managing assets is a critical challenge for businesses of all sizes. Time spent looking for equipment can lead to costly delays in projects, missed deadlines and customer commitments — as well as lost productivity. While serial number tracking and barcode labels offer some solutions, these methods can be cumbersome for larger inventories. An RFID solution can automate the process and improve the accuracy of data.
An RFID tag contains an embedded antenna that transmits data wirelessly to an RFID reader when it comes within range. The reader then logs this information into an inventory database. When an asset is moved from one location to another, this information can be transmitted automatically to the system so that managers know where equipment is and who has it.
RFID tags can also be equipped with sensors, making them ideal for asset tracking applications. They can monitor temperature levels, for example, in transit trucks to prevent product damage. These tags are also used in medical equipment to track inventory and monitor patients, as well as in building management to track components like escalators and pumps and manage safety inspections.
Because RFID chips and antennas are safely tucked away inside the key fob housing, they are extremely durable and can resist environmental challenges such as extreme heat or cold. Additionally, RFID is a popular technology for employee badges, allowing companies to brand the device and connect with their audience in a unique way.
Payment Systems
Modern key fobs work through RFID, an intelligent barcode system that uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track data on the tags it recognizes. When the fobs are held or waved in front of a reader, they activate the device by transmitting a code that is unique to each one and only matches with the specific tag it’s designed for.
This allows fobs to be synchronized to the devices they’re meant for and prevents them from being used to access or control other systems, devices, networks or data in other ways. Fobs are also widely used as part of two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) systems, protecting sensitive information by requiring multiple types of security checks, including a password and a fob.
Fobs also provide another layer of security in a workplace by adding another requirement to login for employees, ensuring only the right people can get into the building or areas they’re supposed to be in. This is especially helpful in large companies with lots of different locations or businesses with remote workers.
A good key management system will monitor each key tagged item and send up-to-the-minute transaction data to the cloud so managers can see what’s happening in real time. For instance, if someone signs out a key but doesn’t return it on time, shift supervisors will receive an immediate alert so they can take action and address the issue.