Overview
Why physical badges are fading
With technology advancing rapidly, traditional forms of identification like physical ID cards and badges are becoming obsolete. Mobile credentials that are stored on smartphones or other devices are emerging as the new standard for digital identification and access management.
What are mobile credentials?
Mobile credentials are digital IDs that are stored on a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device. They allow people to verify their identity and gain access to physical locations, networks, systems, and more through their mobile device.
Mobile credentials can replace traditional badges, access cards, identification cards, and other physical credentials.
Common technologies and patterns
Mobile credentials use technologies like near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), QR codes, and biometrics to communicate identity information from the mobile device to a reader or scanner.
BLE works by the mobile device broadcasting an encrypted digital ID that is picked up by receivers installed at doors or other access points. The ID is verified (often via backend services), and access is granted if authenticated.
Why organizations adopt mobile credentials
- Convenience: Users always have their credentials with them on their phone or wearable.
- Security: Digital and encrypted credentials are harder to clone than many physical cards, and can be updated over the air.
- Cost savings: Reduces production, distribution, and replacement of physical cards.
- Analytics: Generates data that can provide insights into access patterns and usage.
- Flexibility: Credentials can be updated, provisioned, revoked, or set to expire based on policy.
Where mobile credentials show up today
- Employee access: Offices, secure areas, and equipment access through phones.
- Event ticketing: Digital tickets with streamlined entry.
- Hotel room access: Phones as room keys.
- Authentication: Identity verification for payments and app/network login.
- Transportation: Contactless access to public transit using a mobile device.
With their ease, flexibility, and security, mobile credentials represent the future of digital identity and access management in a connected world.
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