The Growth of Mobile Credentials for Access Control

Convenient, secure and ready to use

You reach for your smartphone and can’t find it. The search begins. Your heartbeat quickens and palms begin to sweat. You start thinking about or anticipating missed messages, calls and not being connected.

That’s exactly why the smartphone as an access control credential is such a critical component to security today—you rarely leave home without it.

Mobile credentials are perfect for the company that wants to easily grow their business, services and security footprint. Tied to cloud computing, it fosters open systems and ease of integration with other devices. Gartner Inc. reports that by 2020 some 20% of organizations will use mobile credentials for physical access control in place of traditional identification methods like keypads, cards or proximity readers.

User demand for mobile credentialing is exploding as these solutions offer a secure and convenient way to reduce costs and other concerns associated with badges and cards.

Smartphone-based credentials are inherently more secure because of built in-authentication and easily controlled from a downloadable app. The single largest security risk with access control is a valid credential like a card that gets in the wrong hands. Although it’s unlikely that would happen to your phone, the user won’t have access anyway.  And, an administrator can disable or deactivate a mobile credential at any time without the user’s actual smartphone.

Convenience at your finger tips

Facility, property and retail management will appreciate the convenience of mobile credentials. For example, users can lock and unlock doors and manage systems remotely. They can allow authorized persons access for deliveries or construction after hours, weekends or holidays. The same app on the smartphone can also allow you to change credentialing permissions—such as who is allowed where—at a moment’s notice.

Mobile credentials help eliminate expensive hardware in an access control solution, significantly reducing equipment, installation and maintenance expenses long term. Users do not require a reader to enter a door, so enterprises can eliminate readers on most doors, significantly reducing costs.

A smartphone credential adds significantly to functionality versus a traditional credential and can be easily upgraded with new capabilities. Keeping up with the latest technology often means a direct savings for your business and greater efficiency.

Contact APL Access & Security today at 1-866-873-2288 for a free evaluation and consultation on your current or prospective access control solution.