Tips And Tricks To Keep Your Home Office Safe And Secure

Having a home office is great for many reasons. It’s quiet, it’s private, and you can get a lot more done there than you could at a coffee shop or co-working space. But while working from home might be beneficial in some ways, it also poses some dangers that don’t come up as often if you work in an office or other shared space. You have less visibility, less security, and more potential points of entry for intruders. Fortunately, with the right precautions and habits, having a home office doesn’t have to make your business any more susceptible to hackers or burglars. By following these tips, you can make sure that your home office is secure and that your data and property are protected. From setting up a strong password to making sure that your security software is always up to date, you can have peace of mind when working from home. In fact, by taking the right steps, your home office can make things safer for you in the long run. Here are the top tips to improve the security of your home office so that you’re safe while you grind away on that new project. Change the Lock Right Away If you buy a house with a lock on the door and suddenly decide to turn it into your home office, you might not realize that it was improperly installed. If that lock is not secured with a deadbolt, you risk leaving your most valuable asset vulnerable to theft and unable to be secured. Imagine buying a car and not ever checking the oil or gas tank. You fill up at the gas station and start driving. After a few miles, your car stalls and won’t start again. It turns out that your fuel tank was bone dry, and you had no idea how to fill it back up. That’s the same risk you take when you never check the oil on your car. You might be able to drive around town, but you won’t be able to get to work if you never check the oil in your car. This can make it easier for an intruder to break in, and it’s something that you should address. If you’re renting and have your landlord change the lock right away, you’ll avoid being locked out of your own home office. You may be able to get them to change the lock while they’re there, too. That’s one less thing that you have to worry about. Have Good Windows (and Lock Them) If you have a ground-floor office, you may have noticed that some commercial buildings have bars on their windows. Some businesses install these bars for security purposes. They keep unwanted people from breaking the glass and entering the premises. Bars can also keep unwanted things from entering your office, such as cold air during the winter months. If you work in a commercial building with uninsulated windows, you may have experienced ever-decreasing productivity as the temperature dropped. The cold air makes it difficult for employees to concentrate. It is impossible to get any work done when you are freezing. Bars can keep this cold air out and keep your employees comfortable. This is the kind of precaution you may have to take to protect your home if you don’t have a lot of privacy or external visibility. If your office is located on a lower floor, consider bars on the windows. They can help keep burglars from entering through the window and let you know if someone is trying to break in. They may also help you avoid having to pay for a window replacement if one is broken as a result of vandalism. Keep Your Computer’s Software Updated In addition to safeguarding your data, keeping your software updated will also help you protect against malware and hacking. Some software updates can include patches to fix software exploits that can allow hackers to gain access to your system. You can set your computer’s software to automatically check for updates. This can help you avoid having to worry about missing an update and leaving yourself open to an attack in the meantime. Use Strong Passwords and 2-Factor Authentication Strong passwords are one of the most important things that you can do to protect yourself. Having strong passwords means using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Keep your passwords in a secure location. Avoid writing them down on paper and store them in a file on your computer or in a password manager. Watch Out for Dropbox and Other Cloud Storage Dangers Cloud storage is a great way to share, store, and access your data from anywhere, but it does require some caution. If you use a free cloud storage solution like Dropbox, you should be aware that it is not as secure as it could be. To protect against hackers (or worse) breaking into your account and deleting or altering your data, you may want to consider upgrading your account to a paid plan. Keep Your Devices Locked Up Tight You already know that you should keep your devices secure and out of sight. But in addition to that, you should also keep them physically secure. If you have a large office, you may be fine keeping your devices out in the open. But if you have a smaller office or keep your devices out in the open, a thief could come in and walk right out with them. Keep your devices in a drawer or cabinet that can’t be opened without the key or combination. Also, make sure they’re not placed where they can be easily seen by the public. Avoid keeping your devices out in the open where they can be easily stolen or tampered with. Also, make sure to keep your devices in a secure location at work. Many employers now offer secure lockers for employees to keep their devices in. If you have a laptop, consider keeping it in a locking bag that can’t be pried open. Be Careful with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are two ways that many people connect their devices to the internet. But Bluetooth connections can be easily compromised by nearby devices, and Wi-Fi can be hacked from a relatively long distance. If you use Bluetooth, be sure to keep it on a short tether to your phone or computer. Avoid leaving it out of range or forgetting to charge it regularly. Keep track of any updates or patches from your device’s manufacturer. Stay vigilant about the appearance of any signs of obsolescence or malfunction. If you have in-ear or wireless headphones, be sure to keep them clean to improve sound quality and block outside noise. If you use headphones with a microphone, keep the volume at a level where you can clearly hear your teammates but not so loud that you risk damaging your hearing. And if you use Wi-Fi, make sure to keep it on a secure network, reset the connection regularly, and update your router’s firmware as soon as possible when updates become available. Conclusion One of the best things about having a home office is that you get to control every aspect of it. You can create the ideal working environment, and you can keep it secure. With the right precautions and habits, you can keep your home office as secure as an office in a high-rise. And in the long run, it can make things safer for you. From setting up a strong password to installing security software, these tips will help keep your work safe from both physical and cyber threats. What might seem like common sense to some may be helpful information for others. We hope you find these tips helpful and enjoy working from home.

What Does The Future Hold For Solid State Battery?

There is a lot of research happening every day in the lithium battery sector to achieve increasingly higher performance and longer life, as well as shortening the charging time and ensuring greater range and power. As far as electric mobility is concerned, solid-state batteries may seem like the future's final frontier. Lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolytes, while solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. Solid-state cells have a much different internal structure, as they are all solid. Solid-state batteries have liquid electrolytes, while traditional lithium batteries have liquid electrolytes: Typical cathode materials are LiFP, NMC, LMO, etc., which form the same positive electrode as a lithium-ion battery. As well as serving as the electrolyte, ceramics or solid polymers act as separators It contains lithium metal (pure lithium) as its anode Solid-state separators like the gray central layer interact with the electrolyte and function as both separators and electrolytes. In addition to providing an electrical insulator and functioning as a mechanical separator between the anode and cathode, it is also a medium through which the ions move. This solid, resistant support allows the graphite structure on the anode to be removed, allowing lithium metal to accumulate directly on the anode. (Alternatively, semi-solid electrolytes can be used.) What is the process of making a solid-state battery? Lithium particles move between the cathode and anode's electrical contact when the cell is charging. They then move into the separator itself and create a solid layer of lithium. A lithium-ion technology anode, which contains graphite, will therefore have a smaller volume since it will only be composed of lithium particles. Solid-state batteries have the following advantages: Safety is the most important factor Unlike lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries don't contain a liquid electrolyte, which is volatile and therefore more flammable and is one of the most challenging safety components. This is replaced by a thicker separator layer made of a mechanically more resistant material (a ceramic composition containing additives); this increases the intrinsic safety of the cells by preventing short circuits even when the cells are misused or deteriorated, making them more reliable. Dendrites or sharp build-up of lithium that form between the cathode and anode are also less likely to form with this type of electrode. Lithium movement isn't uniform, and, in some extreme cases, it can pierce the separator due to points that grow like pins. A solid separator, on the other hand, is more resistant to dendrite piercing, which is what reduces the possibility of short circuits and gradual cell deterioration. The highest density of energy An anode made from pure metal can increase energy density by a significant amount due to its intrinsic safety. Lithium-ion batteries generally contain ions in the graphite anode, which can be removed by using metal anodes. As part of the transfer process, only the ions remain in a solid-state battery, and bulky, heavy compounds are removed that do not contribute to energy generation. Recent studies have shown that solid-state batteries have an energy density that is 2-2.5 times greater than current lithium-ion battery technology, which would result in lighter and smaller batteries. We won't be able to be certain of the exact number until this technology becomes officially available, but we can be sure it would benefit electric mobility, which would benefit from a longer range and lighter weight. Ultra-fast charge times Compared to current technologies, solid-state batteries can charge up to 6 times faster than current technology. In addition, it is uncertain how this new technology will develop and how it will impact this number. Several prototype solid-state batteries are already available that charge very quickly but at the expense of other factors that make up a good performance. To assess the best alternative, including in terms of cost, we must weigh this advantage against other essential characteristics of these batteries. The current consensus is that liquid electrolytes tend to be less efficient at high temperatures, while solid electrolytes respond better at high temperatures, as evidenced by their performance during fast charging, which has a much higher temperature. Production is faster The solid-state electrolyte theory, while understandable, has yet to be proved and will be done when this technology is truly mass-produced. This theory, while understandable, has yet to be proven as it is not liquid, thus allowing for a faster, easier production process. In the present, however, we can certainly say that the process of filling the cell with electrolyte requires a great deal of time: you must begin by assembling the cell with an empty electrolyte space, and then, upon absorbing the electrolyte, you must refill it to restore it to the proper level before it can be sealed. As a result, solid-state technology could potentially contribute to a real improvement in this phase of the production process, but the actual production of this type of cell is needed before drawing sound conclusions. How many solid-state batteries are there? Could we all drive cars with solid-state batteries if we wanted to? A solid-state battery is also expensive, due partly to development costs but also to the difficulty of manufacturing on a large scale, which makes them expensive like other emerging technologies. Until solid-state batteries are ready for prime time, automakers and battery manufacturers still have a long way to go. Although solid electrolytes are advantageous over liquids, finding the right balance of materials for powering a car's electric motor is challenging. The development of solid-state batteries is still in its infancy. Several other automakers are partnering with battery companies on their own projects to develop solid-state batteries, while Toyota plans to sell its first EV by 2030. A California-based company called QuantumScape has partnered with Volkswagen to develop battery technology that will be commercially available by 2024. Solid-state battery research and development Pure Silicone Anode Solid-State Battery A new rechargeable solid-state battery is being developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego in partnership with LG Energy Solution. Anode and electrolyte are combined in a single device, replacing lithium and carbon completely. During testing, the battery proved to be safe, durable, and highly energy-efficient. At room temperature, the prototype retained 80% capacity after 500 charge and discharge cycles. As a result of the technology, electric transportation, energy storage, and other fields have great prospects. MIT's New Electrode Design Mixed-ion-electronic conductors (MIECs) have also been developed at MIT, as well as lithium-ion insulators and electronic conductors. In this case, MIEC tubes are nanoscale and arranged in a honeycomb structure. Lithium forms the anode of the tubes. A major discovery of this study was that lithium expands and contracts during charging and discharging because of its honeycomb structure. Battery cracks are prevented by this breathing of the anode. Tubes are protected from the solid electrolyte by the coating on their surfaces. By preventing liquids and gels from injecting into the battery, dendrites are eliminated. Future Outlooks for Solid-State Batteries Solid-state batteries have been seen as an important step in the development of electric vehicles for some time. Their lighter weight, greater energy storage, and reduced flammability make them a superior choice over liquids. There were two major obstacles to this development until recently - the cost of these batteries and their durability. Furthermore, solid-state batteries are prone to chemical defects. It is because of tiny lithium dendrites, twig-like particles of lithium that form and grow inside the battery that they begin to degrade after a few charge/discharge cycles. This leads to short circuits and other problems. Conclusion Despite a few problems that need to be resolved, solid-state batteries are poised to enter the market soon and can be expected to be used widely in fields where energy density is a limiting factor because space does not allow them to store all the energy needed. As solid-state batteries have twice the energy density, they will double the range and are now viewed as the future of all transportation, including the automotive industry. Both the industrial machinery and electric vehicle sectors are interested in how this new technology can be implemented: this is true for equipment that requires a lot of energy or a large range but whose volume is currently small compared to the energy it can generate. It is certainly possible to expand the category of electrified vehicles through the introduction of solid-state battery technology. Solid-state cells could undoubtedly be a viable path to the future of industrial electrification if, in addition to their high energy density, they became competitive on all fronts.

Security Camera Laws in New York: What You Should Know

You may not think about it often, but surveillance cameras are everywhere these days. They're in your local convenience store, above the entryway of your apartment building, and even monitoring the entrance of your workplace. Cameras are so commonplace that some areas have even set up live streaming feeds on the internet for public viewing. However, this prevalence also means that there are a lot of regulations regarding their use. Depending on where you live, security cameras can come with a lot of strings attached. New York is one such state with strict laws governing surveillance camera usage and recording. If you plan to install security cameras at home or work, it’s important to understand what you can and cannot do under New York law. This will help you stay on the right side of the law and protect yourself from liability. In this post, we will explore the rules and regulations governing security cameras in New York. You can also learn how to secure your rights and protect yourself from potential security camera scams. Read on to learn more about security camera laws in New York and how they may affect you. New York Security Camera Laws: What You Need to Know New York security camera laws spell out a few important things. First, the law prohibits unauthorized recording. This means that you can’t secretly record other people using your security cameras. If you do record someone, the footage can only be used to protect your property or other legitimate interests. You can’t trick someone into recording themselves or secretly filming them in a private setting. You also can’t use the footage to defame the person you recorded. If you are recording someone, you must let them know that you’re recording them. You must also let them know that they are being recorded if you plan on using the footage for any other reason. Furthermore, you must notify people if you’ve recorded them. You can do this in one of two ways. You can post a notice in a visible location or send a written notice. The written notice should include the date, time, and place where the recording occurred. You’ll also want to make sure that any security cameras you install comply with voltage requirements. If a camera uses 120 volts of power, you’ll need a special permit from the state’s Public Service Commission. Installing Security Cameras in NY: Is Written Consent Required? While installing security cameras can be a helpful way to protect your home or business, you may need to get written consent before doing so. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that you get written consent before installing any type of security camera if it uses a wireless signal. This includes both indoor and outdoor security cameras. Security cameras that don’t use a wireless signal, such as a corded one, don’t require consent. But they may still be prohibited in your location, such as at your place of work. Depending on the type of security camera you have and its location, you may need to get written consent from your landlord or property manager, your tenant association, or the homeowner’s association for your neighborhood. If you install cameras on public property, you won’t need consent. However, if you install cameras on private property, written consent from the property owner is required. In addition, installing cameras on someone’s private property without consent may be considered unlawful surveillance. If you plan on installing cameras on private property, make sure to get the consent of the property owner. If you fail to get consent, you risk running afoul of the law. While you can ask a homeowner for consent, it may be best to simply inform them that you’ve installed cameras on their property. Recording With Surveillance Cameras in NY: What’s Allowed? As per New York security camera laws, you can record anything visible to the public from a location where you have a legal right to be. For example, if the sidewalk in front of your store leads to a public sidewalk, you can legally record that sidewalk with your security cameras. As long as you’re recording public spaces, you can record pretty much anything you want within that public space. This includes vehicles, pedestrians, and other people using public sidewalks and pathways. You can also record public parks and other public spaces where people have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Be sure to get permission before recording a private conversation if you intend to use it for any purpose other than documentation. If you are concerned about your privacy, you can take steps to protect yourself. You can change your phone settings so that your phone does not broadcast your location. You can also turn off your cellular data if you are concerned about being tracked via your phone. You can protect your computer by installing anti-virus software, updating your operating system, and using a VPN. You can also delete sensitive information from your computer to protect against hardware hacking. Recording With Surveillance Cameras in NY: What’s Not Allowed? You can’t use your security cameras to record people who have a reasonable expectation of privacy. For example, you would not be allowed to record people in their own homes or on their private property. You also have to be careful about the things you record within public view. You can’t record activities that people have a right to keep private. Things like medical information, sensitive financial information, and discussion of confidential business matters are all protected by the law. Recording people without their knowledge can have legal repercussions. If you’re using security cameras to record employees at work, you must have their consent. This means you can’t record doctors in hospitals, lawyers in law firms, or other people who have a legal right to privacy in their workplaces. And if you have recording equipment in public places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, you must blur out their faces or turn off the recording when they enter the space. This includes people inside their homes, people inside places of business that don’t have signs posted, and people inside cars, porches, or other private areas. If you record people in these places, you may be violating New York security camera laws. You should also avoid recording people in other places that are shielded from public view. For example, you cannot record people inside their homes through a window. Conclusion Installing security cameras can be a helpful way to protect your home or business. However, you must comply with New York security camera laws. The law prohibits unauthorized recording, requires written consent before installing security cameras on private property, and places restrictions on where you can record. Once you understand these rules, you can install security cameras in New York with confidence. When you’re shopping for cameras, look for high-quality resolution, a wide-angle lens, and IR LEDs. IR LEDs provide night vision, so your cameras can record at any time of day. A wide-angle lens lets you capture a large view of your property so you can see everything at once. High-resolution cameras let you zoom in on important details when needed. Finally, look for an easy setup and installation process. Many security cameras are now plug and play, eliminating the need for technical know-how. Once you’ve installed your cameras, test their capabilities and make sure they have the range and resolution you need.

Tips To Keep Your Alarm in Shape: Alarm Station Care Guide

Keeping an alarm station in top shape requires regular maintenance and attention. Alarm stations are meant to be used, but they won’t last very long if they’re not properly maintained. This can be a bit of a challenge, especially for large groups with multiple alarm stations. However, it’s important to maintain your alarm station. Doing so ensures that it will last as long as possible and that you’ll have it when you need it. You can maintain your alarm station by doing things like keeping it clean, updating its batteries, and keeping track of it. These small details can often mean the difference between a functioning alarm system and one that is unreliable or broken. While these tips will help keep your alarm system working optimally, they aren’t exhaustive. If you are looking to purchase a new alarm, read our blog post on choosing the best security system for your home. To keep any piece of equipment running smoothly, it needs routine care and maintenance to stay in top shape. That’s just as true for an alarm station as it is for everything else in your home. Whether you have a standalone panel or one that is part of a larger security system, keeping your alarm in tip-top shape means implementing these simple tips to reduce the risk of failure or damage due to neglect. Change the Batteries The most basic yet often overlooked maintenance task is changing the batteries in your alarm station. When the battery dies, your alarm loses power, and it won’t work. But batteries die slowly, so they can often go unnoticed until the last minute, which is bad because it gives you very little time to have the problem fixed. A better approach is to set a schedule for testing your alarm’s battery. You can use the same schedule that you use for testing your fire alarms, which will help keep you on top of it. If you are using wireless sensors, you also need to test the batteries in those. Don’t wait for the batteries in your alarm system to start dying before you replace them. It’s a good idea to keep a backup set of batteries on hand and start using them a few months before the current set dies. That way, you won’t be left without an alarm in the event of a power outage. Replacing the batteries in your alarm system a few months before they die will also help you keep track of when it’s time to order new batteries. And don’t wait until the batteries are completely dead before replacing them; that can damage the unit. Clean the Window Sensor One of the most critical components in any alarm system is the window sensor. Not only does it keep your home or office secure by detecting unwanted entry, but in the event of a break-in, it also lets you know that a window has been opened, so you can be on the lookout for an intruder or keep your kids or pets from wandering out of the house. Window sensors come in a variety of styles and prices, but it’s important to find one that fits your needs and your home or office as best as possible. A broken window sensor can be enough to cause the entire alarm system to go off. To make sure it is working as it should, you need to clean it now and again. You can do this by spraying it with a cleaning solution and wiping it down with a clean rag. You also need to make sure it is mounted correctly. If the mounting tabs are broken, they need to be replaced immediately. The same goes if the mounting holes are worn out. Check the Tabs and Wiring All components in a security system should be installed correctly. That includes wiring and mounting tabs. If you notice that a wire is broken or frayed, it must be replaced immediately. If there is any discoloration or heat emitted from a wire, it must be replaced immediately. If a wire is not working or is broken, it must be replaced right away. Electrical wires are very important pieces of your home, and if one breaks, it could cause a very serious electrical issue in your home. If you see that any electrical wires in your home are broken or not working, you must have them replaced immediately. Electrical wires are not something you can just go and fix yourself. If you have noticed that any electrical wires in your home are broken, you must have them replaced immediately. Mounting tabs are another area that can go wrong. If a mounting tab breaks, the sensor must be replaced before it falls off the wall and causes even more problems. The same goes for wiring that is loose or falling out of a wall. It needs to be fixed before it causes a short or falls out completely. Test the Siren The siren is one of the most important components of the alarm system. It is the first line of defense against intruders. It must sound loud and clear, even in the farthest corners of your property. Most models come with an adjustable volume button, so you can set it to the desired level. Some of these devices also have a two-tone option. This comes in handy if you want to use one siren for outdoor security and another one for indoor security. The outdoor siren should be loud but not too loud. It must be audible from a distance. However, you must make sure that the indoor siren is not audible outside your home. It is what tells people there is an emergency that needs to be fixed. That is why it is important to test it regularly. You don’t have to do it every day, but you should do it once every few months. You can test the siren by pressing the button on the alarm or turning it off and on again. If the siren does not go off, the button is most likely jammed. You will need to open the panel and clean it out. Other Maintenance Tasks There are a few other maintenance tasks that will help keep your system in tip-top shape. These include keeping the area around the alarm clean and unobstructed. It’s also important to test the alarm regularly to make sure it’s working correctly. And last but not least, make sure everyone in the household knows how to use the alarm in the event of an emergency. An alarm system is only as good as its users, so make sure everyone is trained on how to use the system. If you have young children or teenagers in the home, make sure they know how to use the alarm as well. That includes the wall it is mounted on and any cables that connect it to the rest of the system. You also need to keep the panel clean and free from dust. Finally, you should keep the alarm up to date. This means changing the contract as well as upgrading any hardware as needed to make sure it is running optimally. Conclusion Keeping an alarm station in tip-top shape requires regular maintenance and attention. If you’re not sure what to look for or how to take care of your alarm system, you can always ask the manufacturer or hire a professional to help you out. You can also read up on how to maintain your alarm system and stay up to date on the best practices for keeping it in good shape. The most basic task you can do is change the batteries. You also need to clean the window sensor and check the tabs. You also need to test the siren and all wiring. You also need to keep the area near the alarm clean and free of dust. You also need to keep the alarm up to date with new contracts as well as new hardware.

A Quick Guide To Badge Entry Systems: How Do They Work?

Employees, inventory, and property can be secured and accessed through keycard entry systems. A few examples include corporate offices, healthcare facilities, retailers, fitness centers, warehouses, and more. Controlling, restricting, and managing unauthorized entry can also be accomplished with this technology, which can also be used to monitor employee activities and sign-in/out times, eliminate lost or stolen keys, and operate on energy-saving technologies. They provide a variety of advantages with regard to costs, security, and operations, similar to what you might find in a hotel room or other areas requiring personalized entry points. Badge Entry Systems: How Do They Work? An electronic device can read swipe, magnetic, or ID cards attached to special key cards or key fobs. The magstripe or chip on the keycard reads the card when an employee swipes, taps, or inserts it, granting access based on a unique code. The card reader quickly unlocks the specified door or entryway after accepting the authorized access credential. The keycards are also responsible for controlling, restricting, and monitoring hallways, elevators, stairwells, and other specialized areas via internal software. The badge entry system provides comprehensive facility surveys, assessments, personalized strategies, and solutions when implementing access control systems. A compliance measure includes meeting all fire codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Besides installing, these professionals test and train before activating, ensuring everything works properly. Keycard entry systems have several advantages Access levels can be personalized by keycard technology, safety audits can be conducted, employee activity logs can be managed, and smart technologies and energy efficiency controls can be implemented. Aside from being efficient and easy to use, these devices facilitate internal and external security measures. A lost or stolen key, for example, is one of the most time-consuming and cumbersome challenges. The card can also be wiped and deprogrammed if an employee's keycard is not returned upon resignation or termination. Placement of access points is also important. Keycards should be easily scanned or swiped for indoor use by employees or guests. It is essential to ensure readers are built and mounted to withstand extreme weather and other harsh conditions when placing them outdoors. A keycard entry system will provide peace of mind regarding the safety and security of your employees, inventory, and property at your commercial facility. As well as keeping intruders and unescorted guests out of specified areas, such as hotels, fitness centers, and private facilities that are restricted to members, these devices ensure privacy and security. A keycard access system can also implement a lockdown during emergencies in areas such as warehouses, parking lots, and garages that pose a constant threat of theft, vandalism, and intruders. Access control types for Badge entry system Several heavily regulated agencies and organizations use keycards to maintain specific employee access levels. It is possible for companies to be responsible for sensitive files and confidential information, including law firms, accounting firms, technology companies, and many others. A high level of security clearance and authorization might also be required for these types of settings. In addition, biometric readers, retinal scanners, and facial recognition may be utilized. Temporary employees, contractors, clients, and other non-employees can access the system on different levels. An example would be a short-term project crew or service and delivery personnel. Keycard readers can be divided into the following types: Radio Frequency Identification Cards (RFID) An RFID keycard or keyfob transmits authentication and authorization signals via user identity, which is the most commonly used type within commercial spaces. It is important not to confuse these with NFC (near-field communication) cards that use RFID technology to transmit and receive information instantly over short distances. Smart Cards The ID software on smart cards is more sophisticated than that of RFID cards, which use RFID technology. In high clearance areas, such as banks, governments, and military agencies, smart cards can read data from long distances because of their advanced encryption and mutual authentication. Proximity Cards In areas where authorization levels are low, proximity cards are suitable. The RFID technology used in these cards, also called prox cards, is used for access control. However, they may be less secure and encrypted than other options, making them a less expensive alternative. Wiegand Cards These were developed with a Wiegand sensor and a specialized communication system named after American inventor John Wiegand. As a result of their strong encryption and security, these are also used for access control by organizations. Despite Wiegand cards still being in use, more modern RFID technologies have replaced them in a big way. Magnetic Stripe Cards Similar to debit or credit cards, they transmit data using magnetic readers. In addition to transferring data sets, the reverse side of this card has a black "stripe" that reveals the cardholder's credentials. It is still possible to alter these cards easily or inadvertently, even though they are considered to be higher security than the aforementioned Wiegand cards. Maintaining Activity Monitoring & Management A keycard technology feature is the ability to keep track of employee activity in real-time. If additional information is needed for an internal personnel issue or investigation, this can be helpful. As a security technology, keycards can assist law enforcement by detecting potential insider threats when combined with closed-circuit television cameras and video analytics. Safety audits should be conducted on trackable keycard systems. It is possible to view specific timestamps and locations based on your reader's type and systems integrations, ensuring that employees are adhering to work hours and lunch breaks. Integrated keycard entry systems may also be used to monitor and measure occupancy and people counts as well as crowd control via business activity analytics. Benefits and Integrations of Smart Technologies Integrated keycards can be used in conjunction with a building's existing security management system and smart features. It is easy to program your system through a mobile app when you aren't on-site when you work with a service provider. You can automate lights, thermostats, locks, doorbell cameras, security, and other aspects of your commercial property with smart settings and real-time alerts. In addition to controlling and monitoring interior temperatures and appliance safety, this is especially helpful for industries receiving and accepting deliveries. Keycard Configuration & Activation Keycards are unique to each user, unlike traditional keys. In the event that it is lost, stolen, or an employee leaves a company, it can be deactivated or wiped. Changing locks and keys will never be an issue, nor will unauthorized copies be distributed. If an employee forgets or refuses to release their keycard upon leaving, it may be helpful to have this feature in place. Eliminate duplication The mitigation of possible duplicate badge numbers is another advantage of a global badge entry system. You cannot have duplicate badge numbers when your company uses a single access control system across all buildings and regions. When employees travel, they don't have to create new badge numbers. This avoids confusion and time lost. The employee of another building will need to obtain a completely new badge number if their badge number is accidentally the same as one of the employees at the other location. By assigning a completely new badge number, your system administrator will have to effectively onboard a current employee instead of simply adding building access to one badge number. A global badge system reduces administration time and eliminates confusion between badge numbers that are duplicated. Conclusion Due to the fact that badge entry systems combine identification and credentials, they are popular among residential, commercial, and industrial properties. With badge systems, you can easily replace traditional locks and keys with modern key cards and key fobs. Although the system has some shortcomings, it still relies on a finicky, easily lost, and damage-prone ID card credential. Physical credentials are no longer required with today's smartphone-based access control systems. Tenants have access to their buildings without compromising security with a mobile access control system.