How Long Are Credential Cards & Fobs Used ?

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Apr 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Catch this one:

You can see internal parts (antenna coil) of this busted up ~17 year old card showing.

It is almost a given that this card was issued in 2000, and nothing further has been done since.

In your experience, how long are access cards issued for once activated?  Do they look like this before changing?

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Apr 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I have personally seen access cards misused in a host of ways:

1. Deadlatch/ doorlatch jimmy tool

2. Small Prybar

3. Screwdriver (the corner)

4. Ice-scraper 

5. Thickness/feeler gauge (for gapping sparkplugs, no less)

6. Chinese throwing star

... the abuse list is long.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Apr 07, 2017

Fixed the opening for you:

"I have personally misused access cards in a host of ways"

I know I have.  Anything within 10' of my car resembling a card has been used as an ice scraper at some point.

I had a pretty mangled card that after 8 years was still functional.  That image above looks much, much worse.  I think the cards are more frequently lost than fail.

(1)
Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Apr 07, 2017
IPVMU Certified

(busted)

Avatar
Scott Lindley
Apr 10, 2017
Farpointe Data, Inc.

I'll add two to your list, Brian:

  1. In Australia, saw a printable card being used as a toothpick.
  2. And as a baby my daughter frequently had use my access fob, hanging from my key chain, as an impromptu baby rattle.

To answer your question, we regularly see card and fob add-ons to EAC systems more than a decade old.

New discussion

Ask questions and get answers to your physical security questions from IPVM team members and fellow subscribers.

Newest discussions