Biometric cards and vehicle access control: the S-Key solution

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

Without proper vehicle access control regimes, the host organisation runs the risk of an unauthorised operative using workplace vehicles. This incurs the risk of damage to these vehicles, the risk of damage to property (including customer property) and the risk of personal injury to the user or, indeed, others.

These risks can lead to high and uninsured costs for the organisation, potential penalties for breaches of Health and Safety and other regulations, an immediate operational impact on the business and the possibility of reputational damage.

Biometric vehicle access control

Whatever the type of vehicle, vehicle access security is now possible using S-Key biometric access control cards. These 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’s a zero-trust model, which requires the right person to be present every time. On that basis, it removes at a stroke the risk of lost or stolen credentials.

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 the organisation’s access control system, while the authorised employee simply registers their fingerprint on their individual card.

If the business already has access control hardware fitted to its vehicles, S-Key fingerprint access cards can be used right out of the box as they communicate with a broad range of existing NFC/13.56 MHz RFID devices.

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

Additional benefits

Fingerprint-authenticated vehicle access control cards also deliver extra benefits for the business. Positive identification of the vehicle user means that only skilled and trained operatives have access. That being the case, all Health and Safety requirements are duly met.

Access to the vehicles can be tracked, allowing accurate time and mobility data to be logged. This is helpful for payroll, efficiency modelling, fuel management and even the allocation of faults 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. There’s fast and easy enrolment of authorised users on to the system and minimal ongoing maintenance or replacement time or cost.

Further, the solution works with existing card printers and lanyards, etc. These biometric vehicle access control cards match the usual card dimensions. Contactless vehicle access control protects the workforce from potential exposure to germs and viruses on shared keys or PIN and password systems, in turn 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’s then held on a secure footing, in turn providing reassurance that personal information is safe in the user’s own hands. The only information communicated to the card reader is a simple confirmation or denial of access.

This also simplifies privacy management and General Data Protection Regulation reporting for the host organisation as it does not store or use the biometric data.

Unauthorised vehicle access can present a huge risk to any business. The S-Key biometric access control card provides a simple and secure solution. The scalable system allows the introduction of fingerprint-activated access control for individual vehicles or whole fleets. Biometric access control can be trialled and perhaps limited to only those vehicles presenting the greatest risk.

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

*Contact Freevolt Technologies for an evaluation card to trial this innovative, secure and sustainable access control system. Telephone: +44 (0)203 1762350 or send an e-mail to: info@freevolt.tech