The Essentials of Badging and ID Solutions

Jun 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Bill Kiechafer

Much has been said and written recently about emerging technologies in the security industry, including the convergence of physical security and information technology, video analytics and the migration to a networked platform. It's important to take a moment and remember that the first line of physical security has traditionally been — and still is — badges and lanyards. They may not be as technologically exciting as some of the higher-profile solutions, but they are every bit as essential and, in some applications, they are the entire solution.

With a quick glance, badges tell the story

Badging can be an effective form of physical access control. It is easy to integrate, widely available and exceptionally cost-effective. It is also scalable and can easily be upgraded if needs or budget change, and it can be integrated into any other physical or logical security system a user might deploy.

But, on the most basic level, badging provides an immediate visual verification of one's permission level and of an individual's right to be on the premises at that time. For businesses or institutions where a large number of visitors are present every day, this tool empowers every member of the staff and others, such as students at a school, to help police the location and ensure that every person on the grounds is authorized to be there.

Improved security

One badging solution for visitor management is a time-expiring identification badge system that allows security personnel to issue badges based on specific time durations for visitors and temporary employees, and deliver instant verification of security status. Special dyes are activated over time, and the chemical reaction causes the badge to be visibly altered in its appearance. Either a change in color (i.e. white to red) or the appearance of slanted red lines indicate the void status of the badge and thereby alert any employee to the lapse in security. The technology also prohibits unauthorized transfer and/or re-use of the expiring badge.

Expiring badges also reduce costs by eliminating the need to re-issue paper badges on a daily basis. Contractors or temporary employees can be issued one badge for the duration of their stay (up to one month). The technology can also be applied in various ways, including time-expiring spots that can be applied to plain paper badges and to various formats such as existing badges, parking authorization hang tags and equipment passes.

Advances in basic security accessories

Lanyards and myriad attachments are other humble products that perform vital functions to maintain security. For example, smart cards, which contain an embedded chip or other technology, are typically not produced with a slot for a cardholder. A type of cardholder that attaches to a lanyard, badge reel or strap clip can firmly hold ID cards with no slot hole required. This helps prevent smart cards or any other unslotted cards from being lost, and prevents cards from being damaged by punching a slot hole.

Lanyards also come with a variety of attachments to make the access process more convenient for the wearer and to help maintain security procedures. Extra-wide hooks, for example, keep badges from turning backward and obscuring the visibility of ID information to others. Other attachments include retractable badge reels that make it easy to scan or swipe a badge without having to unclip it or remove it entirely. The badge stays attached to the lanyard instead of being hidden in a pocket following a scan or identification procedure. This enhances compliance when it comes to access permissions and verification of status, two building blocks of physical security.

Easily integrated for an overall solution

Badging systems can be deployed as stand-alone solutions or integrated with existing systems, such as access control and electronic surveillance, to provide an overall security solution. When used with visitor management software, badges can indicate clearance levels and access credentials provided from the access control database or pre-registration information, along with photographic images scanned from a driver's license or passport. Information can also be stored on a database for later review in the event of an incident, or organized for traffic flow analysis.

While the safety and security of a building's occupants and the efficient management and tracking of a visitor's whereabouts and entry/egress are key objectives of security management, ensuring a positive experience for the visitor is also important. Web pre-registrations can help speed visitors through the process. The host pre-registers a visitor or group, and a custom e-mail can be sent to the visitor, showing visit details, directions and a barcode that will speed the entry process. The visitor offers the printed e-mail to the front desk attendant who scans the barcode for faster sign-in and badging.

Cost-efficient options

Front door security has morphed from simple sign-in log books and adhesive-backed badges to sophisticated products that now go by the description of identity management systems. But regardless of the terminology or procedural changes brought about by technology advances, badging and identity systems continue to deliver a cost-efficient and effective means of improving security.

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Bill Kieckhafer is general manager of Brady People ID from Brady Business, a supplier of high performance labels, printers, software, safety and facility identification products, precision die-cut parts and Lockout/Tagout products.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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