RFID Card Advantages and Disadvantages

RFID credit cards come with a microchip that uses radio waves to communicate with a card reader. This makes them up to 10 times faster than traditional credit card payment methods.

Despite their fast and convenient nature, some people still worry about the possibility of having their information stolen. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

Security

In addition to reducing the cost of hiring security personnel, RFID credentials make it easier for administrators to oversee access and security within a building or room. The ability to quickly monitor, update or in some cases revoke privileges remotely is an enormous benefit that helps to reduce incident response times around the clock.

Compared to other access control options, RFID cards offer enhanced security features, such as the ability to add an invisible ‘ghost image’ or reference signature on the card. This semi-visible feature can be added with minimal cost and is extremely difficult to copy, making it a useful deterrent for fraudsters and other unauthorized users.

Another built-in security feature is that the card requires proximity to the reader to transfer information, which means attackers would need to be very RFID Card close to capture a signal without detection. This, coupled with the fact that transaction data contains a unique one-time code for each transaction, makes it much harder to steal data from a person’s RFID card.

Additionally, if employees are required to keep their RFID credential on them at all times, a simple solution is to use an RFID blocking sleeve or wallet to prevent attackers from gaining their signal with a hardware device. This will also help protect the privacy of staff members, as it ensures their RFID data is not being exposed to other people in public spaces or in the workplace.

Ease of Use

Unlike the more traditional credit cards that require you to swipe or insert them into a reader, RFID cards are as easy as waving them. You’ll know if your card is RFID-enabled by the contactless symbol on the front or back of it (which looks like a sideways wifi signal).

For an attacker to skim your data, they would need to be very close to you and have a device that could pick up a signal. In general, however, RFID technology is considered very safe and more secure than the new EMV chips that have replaced older swipe chip credit cards. Even so, special RFID-blocking wallets and sleeves are still available if you want extra protection.

In addition, many businesses use RFID cards in their access control systems to provide employees with a fast and convenient way to enter the building without having to type in their passwords. Additionally, healthcare organizations often use RFID cards that contain patient information to give physicians and nurses quick access to records.

Lastly, some apartment communities have started using RFID to allow residents to easily access smart card supplier their apartments. Simply tapping a key card or badge against the RFID scanner will open the door, allowing the resident to enter. This is a very convenient option for tenants, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ease of Maintenance

Although RFID cards are relatively inexpensive to purchase, they do carry some recurring costs. These include the cost of the RFID inlay or label, printer ribbon, and software licenses. In addition, if you use RFID tags for access control, you will need to replace lost or stolen cards. These are all factors that should be considered when deciding whether RFID is the right option for you.

Because RFID chips are tiny, they can easily be incorporated into other objects. For example, RFID technology has been used in retail stores to protect against shoplifting and shrinkage by tagging items with passive or active tags. When the item is scanned, it alerts the security guard or self checkout system that the product has not been paid for. In turn, it prevents theft of goods by customers or workers.

RFID chips can also be implanted into living animals and people to monitor their health or track their location. However, the possibility of personal-linked information being read without consent has raised privacy concerns. Furthermore, current RFID systems are still delicate and vulnerable to performance problems. For example, an RFID reader’s cable length and thickness can impact its ability to communicate with the tag and antennas. This can cause power loss. Therefore, it is important to select the right RFID hardware for your specific application.

Convenience

For instance, an RFID card can be used for payments without the need to swipe the magnetic stripe or enter a PIN. All a person has to do is tap or wave the card near the reader to transmit the encoded data. The reader picks up the signals and automatically decodes and displays the information to an integrated software system. The process is quick and convenient.

In addition, RFID cards can be used for access control as they do not require physical contact with the scanner. This eliminates the chance of costly human error caused by clumsiness or fatigue. Moreover, they can be used for time tracking as well.

Another benefit of RFID is that it can be used in various environments. This technology works in a similar way to barcodes, but it has a greater range of applications and is less susceptible to interference. This makes it an ideal choice for applications in the field of logistics, manufacturing, and retail.

The most common types of RFID cards are passive and active. Passive RFID cards do not have a battery and rely on the reader for power. They are also waterproof and can withstand exposure to liquids and metals. On the other hand, active RFID cards have a built-in antenna and a battery that allows them to broadcast a signal farther away from the reader.