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HID Prox Cards – Best Practices

DUPROX
HID prox cards are used to provide security for physical and virtual assets of an organization. With the correct use of access control systems, the companies confidential areas can be tightly controlled from unauthorized users.

When implementing an access control system, it is important that the processes set in place facilitate the desired security levels. One of the places in the security process that is vulnerable is the HID prox card. Without proper handling and clear procedures, the card will not provide the security measures needed. For success with these cards, the following recommendations are provided for your review.

1. Make sure that old prox cards are voided immediately. If not voided, an unauthorized person could locate and use the card.

2. Authorize cards upon inital issuance. If cards are pre-validated and spare, the card can be used inappropriately.

3. Investigate situations where access is denied with a non standard denial response. “Card out of range”, “unrecognized,” and other responses indicating incorrect facility codes and formats indicate an illegally obtained card may have been used to attempt access.

4. Use security mechanisms on the card, such as a hologram, to discourage tampering with the card and increasing security levels.

5. Use RFID shield devices when appropriate.

6. Advise card holders to display their badge only when on company property.

Tips for Printing on Your HID Prox Card

PROXCARD
When printing from an ID card printer directly to your HID prox card (1386 cards), it is important to load your cards into the ID card printer hopper in the correct way. When the card prints and ejects the card from the printer, it is important that the image of the card is printed on the correct side with the correct edge at the top.

If you are going to be slot punching the HID prox card to wear the badge with a badge holder, punching the card correctly is critical. There are four small, usually blue, colored dots on the upper back side of the HID cards. The dots indicate where a slot punch can be safely placed.

If the HID card is slot punched at a different location than where the dots are located, the internal functioning of the card can be damaged. The internal electronic mechanics of the card run throughout the inside of the card. If part of the functioning pieces are damaged by the slot punch, the HID prox card will be non-functional.

Learn how to use an HID prox card as an identification card without directly printing on the card.