The use of outdated card readers for access control is not sustainable in the long term. This article delves into the considerations for transitioning to modern card readers, such as ease of use, security, and business continuity. Outdated readers pose a security risk and can cause compatibility issues with modern identification tools, leading to malfunctions or downtime. This results in increased costs due to more frequent maintenance and interruptions to business processes. Investing in modern card readers can significantly reduce operational costs. In addition to cost savings, modern readers provide organizations with advanced security features and an overall improved user experience.
Modern card readers offer numerous advantages and new features compared to outdated card readers
Protection against counterfeiting
Modern proximity readers can verify the authenticity of an access medium. This is done by scanning for a characteristic present in the (NXP) chips of smart cards and tags, confirming production from trusted channels such as the manufacturer and certified partners. By performing this originality check, it verifies that the card contains a genuine NXP chip and not a counterfeit identification medium. This measure helps prevent cloning attacks, where criminals try to duplicate cards.
Data security en compliance
Modern readers offer new functions for secure communication between the access medium and the reader. These measures prevent interception and manipulation of data and support compliance with privacy regulations. The encrypted communication helps prevent eavesdropping, where attackers listen in to obtain sensitive information. It also combats replay attacks, where intercepted information is replayed to gain access.
Prevention and reliability
Criminals may try to intercept transactions through man-in-the-middle attacks, where they use a receiver to capture, manipulate, and forward information. A countermeasure is the transaction timer, which increases reliability by ensuring timely and direct transactions; a man-in-the-middle attack requires more time than the transaction timer allows. Furthermore, there is proximity control, which prevents relay attacks where someone tries to communicate with a reader remotely through a transmitter. The proximity control ensures that the card is physically close to the reader, making it more difficult for malicious individuals to extend communication over a distance.
Flexibility and security
Current identification tools support multiple applications on a single chip. For example, a card can be used to grant access to various locations and facilities. To provide secure access, the identification numbers are secured with keys (passwords). When the access control key is compromised, it has a serious impact on the security of the respective location. Previously, the solution was very costly, as everything had to be replaced with new encrypted access tools. However, with modern readers, it is possible to apply multiple key sets. This allows existing access tools to be centrally migrated to an alternative, uncompromised encryption without the need for replacement or collection.
Using outdated card readers in access control systems is not sustainable in the long term due to technical limitations and security risks. Transitioning to modern card readers offers numerous benefits, including enhanced security, improved performance, and a better user experience. Modern readers protect against counterfeiting, ensure secure data transfer, and increase transaction reliability. Multiple key sets provide flexibility and make access points more secure.