Identification cards are used at many businesses and organizations. Cards are used for ID as well as payroll, gift card and loyalty cards. Another important way that Identification cards are used is for access control. Access control is becoming a common use for the utilization of identification cards.
Access control is an important tool for organizational security. Cards can be programmed to lock employees and visitors out of sensitive areas except at times authorized individually per card holder.
Access control cards are manufactured by many companies. A popular brand of access card is the HID card. Sometimes these cards are known today as a smart card or a proximity card.
One common place to find HID cards is a hospital. Security at a hospital is important to protect patients, staff and hospital property. There are doors within most all hospitals that are restricted entrance to only certain qualified employees and authorized guests. With access cards, it is possible to secure these doors and monitor them without a security officer monitoring the area. If someone attempts to go through the secured door without access authorization, the door will not open. The access system can deny some employees entrance and allow other employees to access the secure area only at authorized times of the day. An example of a door that may be secured is a surgery door. Those not authorized for the surgery can be logged out the system providing door access to only a certain few card holders.
School libraries are also a place where access control may be used. Students and faculty members with specific need may be authorized to enter the building at times when the library is not open. With an access system, reports can be provided to management to verify who was in the building at what times for monitoring purposes.
Military bases are another place where access cards are common. Some bases have the ultimate in high security due to the sensitive information and highly sophisticated equipment on the facility. It is difficult to get on the base initially, and then only a few select people with authorization are allowed to enter this highly confidential area of the government operations.
The access control cards are programmed individually for each person. The card holder should be made aware of their approved access times when they are provided with the card. If the card holder should try to use the card when they are not supposed to, the access will not be granted and someone may be alerted. Depending on the situation, measures may be taken to prevent the access from being attempted again.
There are a number of other places you will find access cards utilized. By being aware of the cards and what they do, you will find them used in many places in your everyday life.
