How S-Key’s biometric solution simplifies secure access for all 

Biometric access control cards allow you to check an individual’s identity before giving them access to your premises or systems. They provide strong two-factor authentication (2FA) straight out of the box: each person must present the right card with the right fingerprint for physical or logical access to the areas you have selected for that individual. 

More than this, S-Key’s fingerprint access control cards improve accessibility for your team. Introducing S-Key cards removes the frustrations of traditional physical access control systems, which can be poorly designed or implemented. 

Accessibility for real people

Access control systems are often designed with the perfect user in mind – but the functional abilities of your actual users may vary widely.  Eyesight ranges from perfect to none. Literacy and memory vary due to common conditions such as dyslexia, autism, dementia and stress. Physical ability may depend on mobility, dexterity, and fluctuating levels of pain. 

Staff or visitors using your premises may suffer from any or all of these difficulties, sometimes only temporarily. If you can make access control work better for them, you improve not only their sense of wellbeing but also their experience of your business.

Your accessibility obligations 

Accessibility is a legal requirement for both private and public sector organisations in the UK. At least one in five people in the UK have a long-term illness, impairment or disability. Accessibility at work is about removing barriers to help people take an active part in working life. Employers should ensure their workplace and how they work are accessible to as many people as possible. This is on top of the legal requirement to make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and job applicants. 

An even greater number of your staff or visitors will experience occasional or less serious difficulties when using traditional cards requiring authentication by PIN or password.  

You must do what you can to make your services accessible so that everyone can use them equally.  

Accessibility in physical access control 

Access control systems requiring authentication by password or PIN can lack accessibility. S-Key access cards use biometric authentication by fingerprint, so do not need any other form of authentication by the user. 

So, let’s look at the accessibility issues that arise with traditional PIN or password entry systems, and see how S-Key fingerprint authentication provides the solution. 

Difficulty reading access screen  

Whether due to bright sunshine, screen damage or eyesight difficulties, reading on-screen prompts and instructions can prove difficult, especially for visitors or those unfamiliar with your access control system. 

S-Key fingerprint access control cards remove the need to read a screen. Simply placing the correct finger on your user card and holding it near the card reader will grant you access to your authorised areas, whether this is physical spaces or logical access to software and other systems.  

Unable to type entry password or PIN  

This may be due to physical issues (keypad digits illegible through use, or lack of dexterity) or simply difficulty remembering the password or PIN. In either case, S-Key cards solve the problem as no password or PIN is needed – just a fingerprint. 

Fear of infection 

Following the pandemic, society, in general, is more aware of the risk of contagion through touching objects such as keypads that are frequently touched by others. This is even more risky for those with compromised immune systems or caring responsibilities. We must make our workplaces accessible at minimum personal risk to individuals. 

S-Key biometric access control cards are completely contactless. The user touches only their card, holding it near to the reader to gain access. This contact-free access control system is an effective way to limit the exposure of users to infection or contamination.  

S-Key: the accessible access control solution 

Accessibility is important, not just because it is demanded by legislation. The more we can do to remove frustration or obstacles for other people, the better we make their lives. 

S-Key biometric access control cards improve accessibility for organisations by removing ‘pain points’ for the end user. The cards work with existing NFC / 13.56 MHz-based access control systems, are quick to set up and easy to use. 

S-Key cards are also cost-effective – and increasing accessibility is priceless. 

Call us now to set up a trial of S-Key fingerprint authenticated access control cards on +44 (0) 203 176 2350 or email info@freevolt.tech. 

What might keep you up at night – and how to fix it!  

Is the security of your business in your hands? Do you lie awake at night worrying that unauthorised access to your organisation’s premises, data or vehicles could inflict financial and reputational damage? 

We asked Security Managers what key security risks they face in today’s challenging security environment. Understanding these top security issues is crucial to mitigating these risks with a simple solution: S-Key.  

Risk 1: Security cards in the wrong hands – how long do you have? 

Lost or stolen security credentials can easily allow access to unauthorised individuals. Whether your access control system uses physical keys, cards, fobs or other devices, they all present a security risk in the wrong hands. 

A lost card can easily be picked up on your premises and used immediately to gain access. If lost outside the premises, or stolen, it might bear sufficient detail to allow another person to locate and enter the private physical or logical domain.  

In either case, the risk of a security breach is immediate, but it may be hours or days before the authorised user realises and informs you that they no longer have their access key so you can disable their badge or card. 

How to mitigate this risk 

Two-factor authentication, such as via PIN, is critical to protecting your organisation from this risk. By adding an extra security layer, you improve the chances that only the authorised user will be able to gain access. The stronger this authentication, the better the security protection.  

Risk 2: How secure is 2-Factor authentication by PIN or password? 

Requiring authorised individuals to authenticate their presence by providing an additional detail (such as a password or PIN) strengthens your access control. Another person would have to copy or guess these details to gain access. 

Unfortunately, human beings are not perfect. We write down our PINs to help us remember them; use a password that is easy to guess, or even write it on the card for safekeeping. It can be easy for a malign individual to find out this ‘private’ information, thus gaining access to what you thought was secure. 

How to mitigate this risk 

The solution is a robust second authentication factor. Today, we have the capability to positively identify any individual using biometric data. Facial features and fingerprints have been shown to provide unequivocable proof of identification, and biometric authentication can now be used for high quality access security. 

Freevolt’s S-Key access control cards use fingerprint authentication, which means that only if the authorised user is physically touching the right card, with the correct finger, will access be granted. S-Key cards can be used for physical or logical access control (e.g. for buildings or for digital access) and provide a smart, safe and secure solution. 

Risk 3: Your ‘helpful’ employees unwittingly increasing security risks 

Human beings are also friendly and helpful, willing to help each other out. In security terms this could be an access control nightmare! 

Your current access control system may only authorise trained individuals to use dangerous vehicles or equipment, or give specified groups higher levels of security clearance. However, staff might lend or share their security badge (and PIN) with a friend or colleague who has lost or forgotten their own, thinking they are being helpful.  

But what they are doing may expose the organisation to a huge security breach, or void insurance claims. Even a trusted worker accessing unauthorised areas might leave a confidential computer database open, or cause an accident with machinery they are not qualified to operate. The risks to the business can be far-reaching, especially when this means that the acts are uninsured. 

How to mitigate this risk 

The best way to ensure that staff do not share, lend or clone access control cards is to make them personal. By requiring positive ID every single time the card is used, access control cards using biometric authentication remove any pressure or option to share cards. 

Risk 4: The increased security challenges of hybrid working 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, when colleagues routinely worked in shared premises, they got to know each other. Security guards could recognise familiar faces, and even the cleaners would be recognised by fellow employees: the risk of an unauthorised visitor going unchallenged was low. 

But now that much of the workforce is based at home, or hybrid working, many may not ever have met new recruits, so there is a danger that an intruder could go unchallenged.  

How to mitigate this risk 

An access control system with strong two-factor authentication is vital in this situation. Not only does this provide clear evidence of authorisation, but it reduces the pressure on your security team to spot an unfamiliar face which could lead to a breach in access control. 

S-Key access control cards are versatile enough to authorise any number of visitors to access different locations, or at different security levels. Through a simple set-up, each user can be allocated specified security clearances, and will simply be denied access if they try to go further. So, there’s no need to rely on personal recognition or habit: the right person, with the right card, gets the right access. 

Risk 5: The operational and financial risk of a physical security breach 

The financial risks of a breach in access control are enormous. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023 puts the average cost of a data breach in the UK at $4.21m.  

‘Stolen or compromised credentials’ is the second most prevalent attack vector in the report, responsible for 15% of the security breaches and ranking among the top four most costly type of incident. Breaches that started with stolen or compromised credentials also took the longest to resolve: on average nearly 11 months to identify and contain these data breaches. Compromised physical security (a breach in physical access control) accounted for 8% of data breaches, costing an average of $4.10m each. 

The financial costs of a breach in security are severe. Revenue and efficiency losses will accrue throughout the data breach lifecycle – the time elapsed between the first detection of the breach and its containment. Any breach in your access control can compromise personal or business data, including the exposure of private information for which you may have a legal liability to another party. A breach in physical access control may also breach Health & Safety regulations (for example through the unauthorised use of machinery) or infection control, further escalating costs and the risk of uninsured losses.  

On top of all this is the reputational damage and loss of goodwill that can have a lasting and often irreversible impact on your organisation. 

How to mitigate this risk 

There is a simple, cost-effective way to strengthen your physical access control: prioritise robust two-factor authentication. 

Knowing exactly who is entering your premises is vital for strong security. Require positive identification of every individual before they enter your physical space, and you eliminate the risk of anybody gaining access by borrowing or stealing a false ID. 

Freevolt Technology’s S-Key fingerprint access control cards provide strong 2FA that is quick and easy to set up, and delivers immediate, cost-effective and robust security. Not only can you limit precisely who goes where, you can also use the cards to track individual access, which helps quickly confirm movements in the event of any incidents. 

The Cost of a Data Breach report looked at the impact of 27 factors on the mean cost of a data breach. The biggest cost amplifiers were the complexity of the security system, and shortage of security skills. Yet S-Key fingerprint access control cards are simple to set up, easy to use and require no special security skills. 

Helping security managers sleep well 

Every single one of these Top 5 Security Risks can be effectively mitigated by adopting S-Key fingerprint authenticated access control cards.  

Whether you are a CEO, a Security Manager or Compliance Manager, IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report shares quantifiable evidence that helps you better manage your security investments, risk profile and strategic decision-making processes. The risks are clear, and can be mitigated through astute security control investment.  

S-Key biometric access control cards provide a cost-effective solution that is quick to adopt and work effectively with your existing 13.56 MHz card readers: invest today and you could be up and running with strong two-factor authentication across your premises within the week! 

Please get in touch if you would like to see S-Key fingerprint access control cards in action, or would like to set up a trial. Call us now to set up a trial on +44 (0) 203 176 2350 or email info@freevolt.tech. 

Innovative solutions offer integration, scalability, and data protection alongside physical access control 

*This was first published in City Security Magazine’s December edition (p15)*

Access control systems are evolving to deliver improved physical security alongside a host of other benefits for premises owners and security personnel. Innovations include the ability to provide bespoke levels of access to different people depending on their job; to offer scalability and easy integration; and even to simplify data protection.

Gonzalo de Gisbert, Head of Product and Business Development at Freevolt Technologies, looks at the role of biometric data in security innovations, and how the introduction of fingerprint authentication has boosted the role of smart cards in access control.

Biometric authentication

The ability to verify a person’s identity using biometrics has revolutionised access control, from passport control through to logical access on personal devices. Biometric authentication removes the risk of an unauthorised person gaining access – improving security and reducing the risk of costly financial and practical impacts from a security breach.

But using biometric identifiers to control access to organisations and their assets has so far proved difficult for several reasons, principally:

• Biometric readers are expensive to buy and install
• Few systems allow open integration, so vendor lock-in could prove costly
• Data protection is an issue for any system which transmits biometric data, as this is a Special Category under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Innovation – fingerprint authentication on a card

One solution is a system that allows biometric data to be stored securely on an access card or badge, kept under an individual’s control, which can verify the presence of that individual to existing card readers. 

Freevolt’s innovative S-Key access control card does exactly that, using battery-less technology to power this extra layer of security. This removes the barriers to effective biometric authentication, providing simple and seamless integration with your existing systems. You can:

• Introduce strong two-factor authentication for any part of your organisation, with cost-effective scalability (you pay only for the fingerprint card)
• Establish a single access control system across different locations, even with varying hardware
• Minimise data protection obligations by ensuring that the data never leaves the card.

A safe, secure and hygienic solution

Fingerprint access control cards can also keep personal data secure, as they do not transmit that information to the access control readers. It is important to ensure that any biometric system stores the individual’s fingerprint on the card securely, only revealing non-biometric information (e.g., the card’s ID) to the reader. By checking that your provider protects personal data in this way, you both improve the user’s personal security and reduce your obligations under data protection legislation.

Of course, fingerprint access control cards have the further advantage that the user need touch nothing but their own card. The pandemic showed us that the less we need to touch keypads, the lower our chances of contamination – and the better our chances of staying healthy for work!

Biometrics on mobile phones

Some companies are moving to biometric authentication (face recognition or fingerprints) via mobile devices to provide access control, mainly due to their convenience. But Gonzalo does not believe this provides effective access security:

“Mobile phones are under the control of their owner, who can add another person’s fingerprint or even resort to a PIN, thus completely negating proper authentication,” he says. “What happens if you run out of charge, or your workplace does not allow phones? A fingerprint-authenticated card which can easily be barred on your system is a much more secure method of access control.” 

It is clear that biometric authentication will play a huge role in the future of access control. By choosing wisely, you can enhance security without huge investment, and protect your teams too. 

For more information:

w: freevolt.tech/s-key/
e: info@freevolt.tech
t: +44 (0) 203 176 2350

Cost-effective, quick-start fingerprint authentication from Freevolt 

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is key to secure access control. In this blog, we look at how fingerprints provide a crucial second layer of authentication, and how S-Key’s innovative biometric access card solution is both cost-effective and easy to implement.   

Why do we need multi-factor authentication?

At the simplest level, physical access control can be provided by supplying authorised personnel with a door key. This key can take many forms: a traditional key; a fob or token; or a smart card or ‘badge’. It is risky because anyone finding, stealing or duplicating the key now has access to your premises. 

This is why an extra layer of authentication is increasingly demanded for security across a wide range of physical and logical systems. Requiring a person to provide something they have (a card or token) plus an extra layer of authentication, such as something they know (a password or PIN), makes it harder for unauthorised users to gain access. 

What does biometric authentication add to access control solutions? 

We know that passwords and PINs can be copied or shared, instantly negating the second layer of authentication. A new generation of biometric tools is rapidly gaining popularity in access control, thanks to the distinctive nature of biometric markers such as an individual’s face and fingerprints. Access control through biometric authentication is simple, quick and effective, as we have seen with the growing use of ePassports and face recognition for mobile devices. 

Fingerprint access control for every situation 

Freevolt Technologies has burst open the availability of biometrically authenticated access control to every organisation. Fingerprint technology is complex, and fingerprint authentication on a card requires additional power – so you might expect this solution to be expensive and come with a limited life. But with Freevolt’s innovative S-Key card, you pay for nothing but the card you use, and it lasts forever. 

Whether you are looking for physical access control to premises, logical access control to computers and systems, or even a way to ensure that only qualified, competent staff have access to dangerous machinery, S-Key’s secure two-factor authentication cards are quick and easy-to-introduce, and provide a highly cost-effective solution. 

Secure access control with no added infrastructure cost 

Freevolt has ensured that changing to a biometric access control demands no major investment. Biometric readers are expensive to buy and install – but S-Key’s fingerprint access control cards can be read by your existing 13.56 MHz card readers, so there’s no need to rip out and replace access hardware. For new installations, wide compatibility means you are free to adopt card readers that meet your budget. 

S-Key also future-proofs your access control, since its secure authentication system will be readable through generations of card readers. With open integration, there is no danger of vendor lock-in, and if you decide to introduce convergent systems (giving access to special equipment or data, for example) it is simple and quick to update the card. 

Low cost – just pay per card for full biometric authentication 

We know that organisations may have fluctuating security needs: temporary staff, visitors or experts will need varied physical access; staff training may change their clearance to operate vehicles; or outside advisors may require restricted access to your software systems. Freevolt makes this easy.  

With no need to upgrade your infrastructure, all that you pay for is the individual S-Key access control cards. Each of these can be quickly set up with bespoke access, useable only by the named person and revocable at any time. It’s a smart and cost-effective solution. 

Durable access control cards last for years 

Providing fingerprint authentication on a card requires extra energy, but Freevolt have cleverly found a way to capture this from the fields emitted by contactless card readers. Thanks to their innovative energy-harnessing technology, S-Key cards require no battery, so last much longer than traditional battery-powered cards which need regular replacement. 

In fact, Freevolt is so confident in the longevity of their fingerprint access control cards that they offer a Lifetime Warranty* on S-Key cards – there is no charge for replacements if they develop a fault outside of normal wear and tear. Given the card will last for many years, why not provide that peace of mind to its user, knowing that the card will continue to work time and time again. 

*Terms and Conditions apply 

Cost-effective access control trial 

With no installation costs, you can trial our biometric security cards alongside your existing systems. Introduce secure fingerprint authentication just for high-security personnel, or to control access to specified data: find out for yourself just how user-friendly this simple and secure system is in practice, at virtually no cost. 

Reduced set-up and maintenance costs 

S-Key’s biometric access control cards are simple to set up and require little technical maintenance or support. Users set up their fingerprint independently, so there is low input for your IT team, and the cards work right out of the box. 

Your support team will also be delighted that they no longer waste time re-setting passwords and PINs that have been lost or forgotten – some organisations report wasting hundreds of hours per year on this! 

Reduced GDPR and privacy concerns 

Freevolt’s access control cards never transmit fingerprint information – all personal data remains securely stored on the card under the user’s control. This greatly simplifies data protection systems and reporting for your organisation, again reducing overheads and saving costs. 

Protect against costly security breaches 

Probably your biggest cost saving lies in the best protection against breaches in access control. Physical security breaches can have devastating cost implications for any organisation. From the immediate operational impacts to revenue and reputational damage, the financial impact of failures in access control is severe.

By adding the extra security layer of biometric authentication, S-Key’s cards help protect you against fraud. They ensure that only verified individuals have access to your premises and systems, providing simple and cost-effective security. 

Fingerprint authenticated access control cards linked to key machinery and vehicles, for example, will also reduce the risk of staff sharing cards to use equipment for which they are not qualified. Non-compliance with Health & Safety systems carries the risk of uninsured damage and personal injury – a risk that can be effectively mitigated using S-Key access control. 

Cost-effective access control solutions from S-Key 

By allowing access only when the authorised person is present, fingerprint-authenticated cards can help protect against breaches of both physical and logical security systems. With low investment cost, low running costs and strong security, S-Key’s biometric access control card is a cost-effective and enduring solution. 

Contact us now for an evaluation card to trial our innovative, secure and sustainable access control system – call +44 (0)203 176 2350 or email info@freevolt.tech. 

How do you ensure that vehicles used in logistics, warehousing and manufacturing environments are secure and only used by trained and authorised employees?

No shared keys, no chance of untrained users getting access to your vehicles – S-Key fingerprint access cards give you total and traceable control over vehicle security.

The cost of allowing vehicle access to the wrong person

Vehicles used in logistics, warehousing and production environments are a significant investment for your business. The acquisition, maintenance and operation costs of trucks, forklifts, fleet and other vehicles demand safe and efficient use.

Without proper vehicle access control, you risk an unauthorised operative using your workplace vehicles. This incurs:

• Risk of damage to the vehicle
• Risk of damage to property, including customer property
• Risk of personal injury to themselves or others

These risks can lead to: 

• High and uninsured costs for your organisation 
• Penalties for breaches in Health & Safety and other regulations
• An immediate operational impact on your business 
• Reputational damage

Biometric vehicle access control

Whatever the type of vehicle, vehicle access security is now possible using S-Key biometric access control cards. Our fingerprint-authenticated security cards are a simple solution, ensuring that only the authorised individual has access to specific vehicles.

Biometric authentication relies on the unique characteristics of an individual’s fingerprints to verify their identity. It is a zero-trust model which requires the right person to be present every time, so removes at a stroke the risk of lost or stolen credentials.

Fingerprint access control on a card

S-Key biometric access control cards use fingerprints to authenticate vehicle access. The system is easy to set up: S-Key cards are quick to enrol in your access control system, and the authorised employee simply registers their fingerprint on their individual card. 

If you already have access control hardware fitted to your vehicles, S-Key fingerprint access cards can be used right out of the box, as they communicate with a broad range of existing NFC (near field communication) / 13.56 MHz RFID devices.

Many vehicle manufacturers are already incorporating card-reading devices into their products as a simple way to secure vehicle access. With S-Key, that protection level is immediately boosted with an additional security layer working seamlessly.

The added benefits of biometric access control cards

Fingerprint-authenticated vehicle access control cards also deliver extra benefits to your business:

• Positive identification of the vehicle user means that only skilled, trained operatives have access – so health and safety requirements are met.
• Access to the vehicles can be tracked, allowing accurate time and mobility data to be logged – helpful for payroll, efficiency modelling, fuel management and even the allocation of fault or damage.
• The system is cost-effective to set up – freely connecting with existing NFC/13.56 MHz readers and a wide range of potential in-vehicle hardware. 
• Fast, easy enrolment of authorised users onto your system, and minimal ongoing maintenance or replacement time or cost
• Works with existing card printers, lanyards etc. as our biometric vehicle access control cards match usual card dimensions.
• Contactless vehicle access control protects your workforce from potential exposure to germs and viruses on shared keys or PIN and password systems, keeping them healthy.

Personal data protection

Personal data never leaves the card and is not transferred. The user simply adds their fingerprint to their own card, where it is held secure – providing reassurance that their personal information is safe in their own hands. The only information communicated to the card reader is a simple confirmation or denial of access.

This also simplifies privacy management and GDPR reporting for your organisation, because you do not store or use the biometric data.

Simple and secure vehicle access control

Unauthorised vehicle access can present a huge risk to any business. The S-Key biometric access control card provides a simple and secure solution.

Our scalable system allows you to introduce fingerprint-activated access control to individual vehicles or whole fleets, giving you the ability to trial biometric access control or limit it to vehicles presenting the greatest risk.

S-Key vehicle access security cards work hard for your business, allowing the tracking and allocating of vehicle use, and protecting your employees’ personal data. 

Contact us now for an evaluation card to trial our innovative, secure and sustainable access control system – call +44 (0)203 1762350 or email info@freevolt.tech.