Using cards for security access to your business is a very common way to control and track access to sensitive areas. There are a few points to be familiar with before you start shopping for card security systems.

The most common type of security access card is the proximity card. These cards need only be held near a sensor pad to be read and typically work through clothes and wallets, making them easier to use than some other types. Magnetic stripe and barcode cards need to be swiped directly through sensors, causing more wear and tear on both the card and the reader. However they’re less expensive than proximity cards – much more so, in some cases.

For even higher security, cards can be custom-printed employee photos, which allows a security guard to check that people are using the correct card for security access. However this doesn’t help if you don’t have the security staff to do the checking. In fact, leaving cards completely blank is often more secure: if a lost access card is found on its own, it won’t have any information that would help someone use it against you.

It’s always a good bet to play to a company’s strengths: verify that the vendor you choose has experience installing and maintaining the type of card security access system you prefer. Ask about their installed base, and if possible, visit a local company using the type of access cards you’re interested in to see how they perform.