Access badge

An access badge is the photo ID you see people wearing that is used to gain entry to the office or other places that have access badge controlled entry points. Entry points may be doors, turnstiles, parking gates or other controlled entry points.

Access badges use various technologies to identify the holder of the badge to the access control system. The most common technologies are magnetic stripe, proximity, barcode, smart cards and various biometric devices.

The access badge contains information in digital form that is decoded by a card reader. The information is transmitted to the access control system. The access control system is a computer running access control software that makes access control decisions based on information about the holder of the access badge. If the credential has the proper privilege the access control system unlocks the controlled access point. Information about the transaction is stored in the access control system for later retrieval. Reports can be generated that will reveal who entered what portal at what time.