MIFARE is the name of contactless smartcards or proximity cards made by NXP Semiconductors. They are the leading manufacturer in the world and have sold over 10 million card readers and 1 billion cards. The company is based in Eindhoven, Netherlands but they have several offices worldwide. Their cards and card readers employ several different forms of technologies that range in security, including the original MIFARE Classic (Standard) and the MIFARE Plus.

MIFARE Classic is the standard card sold by NXP and it uses a proprietary security protocol instead of the ISO/IEC 14443-4 that has become popular in recent years for the quality of its security. The MIRFARE Classic is basically only a memory storage device with an embedded chip in the card. There are reliable and inexpensive, holding 1k to 4k of data. The encryption on the MIFARE Classic is basic at best and called Crypto-1. In tests, this card’s encryption has been broken in 12 seconds on a laptop with only 50 bits of known information. Several other attacks have also been exposed that can read or alter the information on both the card and the reader.

MIFARE Plus is NXP’s attempt to remedy the security problems of the Classic card. Released in 2008, the breakthrough security features of the Plus card far surpass those of its predecessor. The MIFARE PLUS has multiple levels of security that include the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The heart of the encryption on the MIFARE Plus is the 128-bit AES and is combined with other protocols for confidentiality and authentication. These security features are all brought together with the use of Random Identifiers (RIDs) next to 7 byte Unique Identifiers to provide a maximum of security and peace of mind for both users of the cards and the company providing them.

The general manager of the automatic fare collection division of NXP semiconductors, Henri Ardevol, has stated, “MIFARE Plus offers unprecedented levels of security, privacy, compatibility, and performance for entry-level smart cards, and is ideal for ticketing systems.” He goes on to say, “The IC has been designed from the ground up to address the security and privacy needs of the 21st century and thus complements well our current MIFARE portfolio. With MIFARE Plus, consumers can rest assured that their individual information cannot be tracked by others.”

ID cards are used by organizations to show affiliation and membership. They can be issued by governmental organizations or private clubs alike. ID cards in industry show that a person is a member of a certain organization and is authorized by that organization to act on its own behalf. For example, a private company may issue ID cards to employees which the employees can use to show to clients or customers that they are in fact affiliated with the organization and are acting as its agent to conduct business.

ID cards can also help companies and organizations control access to sensitive information. Employees should have to present a valid ID card and have the information on the ID card logged to account for sensitive information such as client social security numbers, credit card numbers, etc.

ID cards also show a level of competence in certain tasks. When clients and customers see employee ID cards which prominently display the position of the holder (i.e., personal trainer, appraiser, auto mechanic, etc.) the client or customer can rest assured that the employee has a level of expertise in the field which he or she is identified as being a member of. If this were not the case, then the employee would not have been issued the ID card.

In order for any professional organization to remain free from accusations of fraudulent or illegal activity, it is highly suggested that ID cards be issued to members and employees. This will prevent the non member and non employee from being able to mislead the general public by making them believe that they are representing your organization when they actually do not. The ID cards should be unique and contain unique identifiers which would be difficult to duplicate. This will help strengthen the internal security of your organization and protect those which your organization is striving to serve.

Once ID cards have been issued to members of an organization they can be displayed on work clothes or uniforms or stored on the holder of the ID card until asked to present it. It would be fair to advise the general public to always verify the ID card of any person claiming to represent your organization. This lets the public know that you care about their safety and lets your employees know that their ID cards are symbols of integrity.

When you walk down the halls of your place of employment, do you wonder if the people in the hall actually belong there? If so, then you are working in a potentially unsafe office environment. When you cannot ascertain if the people you come in contact with possess the proper authorization to be in the building, then you cannot ascertain what their motivation to be there may be. That means they might present a danger to the inhabitants of the office. One of the best ways to make sure you know who does or does not belong in an office is to require the individuals to wear the proper identification. This is where quality plastic ID card printers come into play. It is high end plastic ID card printers that are able to craft the clear identification documents that will spell out clearly whether or not an individual truly has authorization to be in a particular area.
What would the authorization and identification card actually say? There will be variations to this based upon the requirements of a particular office. In general, however, such a document will clearly state the person’s name and will feature an accompanying photograph. These two items will be the main items of any type of identifying document. There can, of course, be additional items added to the mix but this will depend upon the specific requirements of the place of employment. Of course, it is also critical that the detailed information on the identification documents are properly presented. This is why high quality plastic ID card printers are so important.

Quality plastic ID card printers will produce cards that look as professional as possible. They should possess a look that is no different from the quality one would expect from official government documents. The reason for this is that an ID card must be clearly easy to read and look professional as well. If it does not then it would not be a card that offers much value. Thankfully, there are a number of quality printers on the market that present such a high end of quality and their presence is greatly appreciated. Simply put, they make great ID cards that deliver the critical proper identification needed from the cards.

Are these plastic ID card printers expensive? Well, the word “expensive” is a somewhat subjective one. This is because different offices will have different budgets and what may be expensive in one office may not be considered pricey in another. However, it is sage to say that there are printers that can fit a wide range of budgets. So, no matter what type of office you work in, you can surely find a printer that fits your particular needs.

And, of course, the quality of the produced identification card should always be the prime criteria for purchasing plastic ID card printers. If the printer delivers on the intended purpose of purchasing it, then it will be definitely worth whatever cost or price tag that comes with it.

Photo ID cards are becoming more and more commonplace as companies strive to combat physical security breaches within their facilities. Many industries have already successfully incorporated the use of plastic ID cards, such as hospitals, correctional facilities and schools. These entities have recognized the usefulness of ID cards and have reduced unauthorized access to nearly zero.

So, how can your business reap the benefits of ID card technology without breaking the bank?

Some of the leading manufacturers in the plastic ID card industry, distributing cutting edge technology at a reasonable price are :

• Evolis
• Magicard
• Card Printer Solutions
• DataCard
• CIM
• Fargo

Plastic ID card printers come in an array of styles, output qualities, and optional equipment and software to custom tailor the printer to your specific needs, eliminating the need to couple your ID card program with any other technology. Card printers can be upgraded to include magstripe technology, which can allow you to control access to certain areas of your facility, or load money onto the card for use in the cafeteria or vending machines, eliminating the need to carry cash. This function is particularly useful if the employees work with company funds. The magstripe technology can be used in conjunction with the capture functions in order to be utilized as a time clock, eliminating the need for additional time keeping equipment.

ID card printers also come in an array of output qualities, from basic to high definition. With the higher resolution output, you can incorporate UPC code secured entry by assigning unique UPC codes to each ID card and requiring employees to “swipe” their cards to gain access to the facility. This ensures that an ID card is present when an employee enters. Coupled with the capture software, employee’s entries and exits can be compared to work schedules to determine if an unauthorized person has entered your facility.

Physical security is a real risk that you take with your business every day that you operate and do not know who is entering your facility. For much less than you might think, you can add an ID card printer to your operation, potentially saving you thousands in potential losses due to unauthorized access.

Security breaches are on the rise, becoming an ever present threat to consumers and companies worldwide. The potential for having your company breached has risen dramatically over the past few years. Entrepreneurs and CEO’s taking steps to protect themselves in the electronic world of information, but what about at home?
More often than not, thieves have been successful in hacking into company infrastructures that house sensitive consumer data, but as measures to detect and stop them become more advanced, they are looking for easier ways to steal financial data from companies, including posing as employees in order to gain access to secured facilities where a wealth of financial information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Staggering statistics indicate that many companies, both large and small have failed to recognize the risks posed by not having an adequate physical security protocol, which includes asking employees to show photo IDs to gain admittance into company facilities. In the current environment, today’s limited resources have been focused on deterring electronic information security breaches, but physical security is a real concern.

Companies that have employed an ID card system have reduced the number of physical security breaches into their facilities by almost half.

The premise behind an ID card system is simple. Assign each employee an ID card, complete with name and current picture to be worn at all times while on company property. Security personnel and other staff members will easily be able to detect unauthorized access and employ proper steps for removing the trespasser.

Many companies who currently utilize an ID card system also couple that technology with secured entry technology, meaning that the employee’s ID card also serves as an electronic identifier, thus further reducing the exposure to unauthorized access by preventing the use of forged ID cards. Electronic identifiers can be contained in a magstripe included on the card, by UPC technology or by magnetic readers designed to access a small magnetic chip embedded into the plastic of the ID card.

Each of these technologies alone will substantially reduce the risk exposure a company faces with regard to unauthorized access; however, coupling these technologies reduces the exposure.

Digital ID, a leader in ID system management, has created several ID Card systems to cater to businesses of any size, in order to combat physical security threats. Value systems, starting at £1000 GBP allow smaller companies to print their own photo ID cards. With additional software and hardware purchases, this unit can be upgraded to include secure access technology, adding magstripe capabilities to each ID card. Capture software can also be included, giving the company the ability to record all activity in and out of any facility with ease. Digital ID also offers ID systems capable of printing dual sided cards as well as in high definition, allowing even greater protection against unauthorized access as ID pictures are crisp and clear, making identification easier for security personnel and staff.

In this tough economic climate, crime is on the rise. It a paramount that businesses protect themselves against security breaches, both electronic and physical. The initial start up costs offered by Digital ID make physical security concerns a thing of the past, and knowing that facilities are protected is priceless. For more information about ID card systems or how to order, visit www.digitalid.co.uk.

Lanyards have a varied history, from being a military accessory to a children’s craft product. They are still popular, and are among many promotional items selected for giving away at large events. One reason lanyards are good for promotions is that there is plenty of room on the strap for imprinting a company name or logo, and the lanyards worn around the neck also provide ample visibility for that message.

In military usage, lanyards are found attached to pistols, whistles, and swords, plus any other item that a soldier does not want to lose track of. They can be part of the uniform, on the upper shoulders, and are different colours and patterns to thereby identify the wearer’s rank qualification or affiliation with a regiment. Lanyards are used to connect with a hook that will fire a piece of artillery, or arm a firing mechanism on a bomb when it pulls out the cotter pin for a delayed detonation. They are also used on board ships as rigging that will secure objects that otherwise might become lost overboard, or move around the ship.

Today, small lanyards are used with small electronic gadgets like cameras and MP3 players, to prevent loss or breakage from dropping the devices. The lanyard can be looped around the wrist, as seen on the remote controls for the Nintendo Wii electronic games. Industrial use of lanyards includes attaching them to emergency turn off switches, or kill switches, on machinery that would be dangerous if left running while unexpectedly unattended. You will see them on jet skis, trains, and on saws and other cutting or stamping machines. If the operator passes out, the lanyard will be pulled out during the operator’s fall, and stop the machinery from running.

Two of the most common uses for lanyards are to hold keys and identification badges. The lanyard can be made to hold a variety of attachment devices, such as a hook, snap clip, reel clip, alligator clip, ring or badge holder. As they are worn around the neck, the lanyards keep the badges in plain sight, and they will help prevent keys from becoming lost. They are very helpful for swimmers, who may not have pockets for keys.

Badges attached to lanyards are commonly used as entry passes, and ID cards. The lanyard itself can be used to differentiate between groups or teams, by using different colour materials for each group designation. They can be seen in use at hospitals, schools, prisons, government buildings, airports, and at events such as concerts, trade fairs, or conventions.

On the beach, the lifeguards use lanyards to hold their whistle at the ready. For crafting, individual lanyards can be easily made from lanyard plastic that comes on a reel. Colors can be mixed and matched, and styles can be varied in shape, such as square and spiral weaves. Or, stock lanyards can be ordered and then decorated for final use by participants.

Lanyards are made from many materials, including metal or plastic beads. Most are woven fabric straps, and imprinting is done easily. Variations on traditional neck lanyards include water bottle lanyards, and neck wallets. The products are lightweight, easy to ship and store, and are very affordable in large quantities. Long lanyards can be equipped with a detachable short lanyard, by use of a snap release or buckle attachment, so keys can be used easily off the neck lanyard. Large quantities can be made and shipped quickly for marketing events. Be sure to use the imprinting options, and order some extras to give out in the office and to new clients or associates.

In today’s tough economic climate, it is tough to find new customers. Many businesses have turned their focus away from organic growth and attracting new customers to keeping the customers they have happy. It is a proven fact that is less expensive to retain an existing customer than it is to find new ones so the focus on customer retention is high.

The time has come for all businesses to utilize the valuable information about their customers that is right at their fingertips. Companies need an easy way to keep in touch with their clientele and find out what they are spending their money on in order to target them with loyalty and rewards programs aimed at maximizing and keeping their business. In order to do that, many companies are turning to membership cards.

Membership cards are plastic cards issued to customers that are scanned during the checkout process. Basic profile information about the customer is obtained at issuance. But the valuable data is what is captured at the point of sale. Information about what a customer has bought, the price at which the items were purchased, the quantity of a particular item was purchased, how often a customer visits a store, what is selling, and what is not are all key pieces of information that, when tracked can help a company become more efficient and cost effective, raising profit margins and ensuring continued success. This, in turn, allows the company to offer that particular customer the opportunity to receive a reward based on a particular purchase or series of purchases. The rewards may be in the form of discounts, free items, or cash back incentives. These rewards are what lure customers back in, to spend more money, thus completing the cycle.

Membership cards can also be used in trending analyses for companies. The data tracked can allow a business to see what items are selling, which ones are not, what price point is the most effective, etc. All of this data is imperative for the survival of businesses as the need to operate an efficient, streamlined company with reduced operating costs is paramount.

Many large retailers, namely grocery stores, have already begun to use this technology. Rewards cards, as they are known throughout the industry allows customers to receive reduced prices on grocery items, eliminating the need to clip coupons, receive targeted coupons on products commonly purchased by the customer, and incentives such as percentages off prescription or gas purchases based on dollar spend. This business model has proven to be a highly effective method for retaining a particularly fickle customer base.

The cost involved for setting up a membership card program is minimal in contrast with the amount of revenue generated by same store sales. A basic membership card system from a manufacturer such as Digital ID will run between £1000 GBP for a value system to just over £2500 GBP for a high definition model. Installation and training as well as information capture packages, and an upgraded printer for the addition of magstripe stripe capabilities do cost more, but do not add a significant amount to the base price.

Digital ID has some of the most sophisticated equipment available on the market today for adding membership card technology to any business, regardless of industry, gross receipts, or size. Not only does Digital ID carry superior ID technology, but also supplies any additional accessories a company will need to support its new loyalty card program. If you’re looking to enact a membership card scheme in the future, i’d give Digital ID a look.