The facility code is a unique numerical value that is programmed into an access control card or fob, along with a unique individual code for each person who is authorized to access the facility.
How are facility codes assigned?
Facility codes are usually assigned by the manufacturer of the access control system or by the organization implementing the system. They are typically used in combination with a cardholder’s ID number to ensure that access is only granted to authorized individuals.
How do facility codes work?
When the card or fob is presented to a reader at a specific door or entrance, the reader checks the facility code and individual code to determine if the person is authorized to enter.
Cardholder ID
Facility codes aren’t the only values assigned to a credential. In addition to a facility code, a card is assigned a Cardholder ID. A Cardholder ID is a unique numerical code that identifies an individual who has been issued an ID access control card. This ID is typically programmed into the card at the time of issuance and is used to ensure that only authorized personnel are able to access restricted areas of a facility.
The cardholder ID may be a simple numerical code or a more complex combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. In some cases, the cardholder ID may be used in combination with a PIN or biometric authentication to further enhance the security of the access control system. The ID number is stored on the access control system’s database, which allows administrators to manage access rights and permissions for each cardholder.
What other codes are programmed into access control cards?
In addition to the Facility Code and Cardholder ID, some Wiegand protocol cards may also contain other information, such as an access level code, an expiration date, or a checksum for error detection.
The specific data format and bit lengths may also vary depending on the manufacturer of the access control system.
How does an access control system read facility codes?
Access control systems use specialized readers to read facility codes and Cardholder ID’s from access control cards. These readers typically contain an antenna and a processor that work together to communicate with the card and extract the necessary information.
When an access control card is presented to the reader, the reader sends out a radio frequency (RF) signal that activates the card’s RFID chip. The chip then sends back a response signal that contains the facility code and the cardholder ID.
The reader’s antenna picks up the response signal from the card and sends it to the processor, which decodes the signal and extracts the facility code and cardholder ID. The processor then compares the facility code to the list of authorized codes stored in the access control system’s database to determine whether or not to grant access to the facility.
What’s the difference between a facility code and a site code?
In an access control system, a facility code and a site code are both numerical values that are used to identify different aspects of the access control system, but they have different meanings and purposes.
A facility code is a unique numerical value that is assigned to a specific facility or organization that is using the access control system. It is used to identify the facility or organization that has issued the access control cards or fobs, and it helps ensure that only authorized cards and fobs are used within the facility.
A site code, on the other hand, is a numerical value that is used to identify different access control systems within a larger organization or network.
It is typically used when multiple access control systems are being used within the same organization or network, such as in a large corporation with multiple offices or facilities.
The site code helps to differentiate between the different access control systems and ensure that cards and fobs are not mistakenly used in the wrong location.
In some cases, the site code may also be used to manage access rights and permissions for different groups of users within the same organization or network.
Overall, while both facility codes and site codes are used to identify different aspects of an access control system, they serve different purposes and are used at different levels of the organizational hierarchy.
When should you create a new facility code?
There are several reasons why it may be necessary to create a new facility code in an access control system.
One common reason is to comply with industry standards for access control systems. Many industries have specific guidelines and regulations for access control systems, and following these guidelines may require the use of a specific facility code.
Another reason to create a new facility code is to increase security. If a facility has experienced a security breach or there is a concern that unauthorized individuals may have obtained access to the facility code, it may be necessary to create a new code to ensure the continued security of the facility.
In some cases, a new facility code may also be necessary to avoid conflicts with other organizations that are using the same access control system. If multiple organizations are using the same system and have assigned the same card numbers, creating a new facility code can help ensure that each organization’s cards are unique and easily identifiable.
Overall, creating a new facility code should be done for security reasons and in compliance with industry standards.
It is an important step in maintaining the security and integrity of an access control system, and can help prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas.
How can I tell if my credential has a facility code?
To determine if an access control card has a facility code, you can look at the front or back of the card to see if there is a numerical value printed on it.
The facility code is typically a short sequence of numbers that identifies the facility or organization that has issued the card. If there is no facility code printed on the card, it may not be an access control card or may be using a different type of card technology.
Conclusion
This blog post provides a comprehensive explanation of facility codes on access control cards. It describes how facility codes are assigned, how they work in an access control system, and what other codes are programmed into access control cards.
The post also explains the difference between a facility code and a site code, and when it may be necessary to create a new facility code. Additionally, it provides information on how to identify if a credential has a facility code. Overall, the post is a useful resource for anyone looking to understand more about facility codes and their role in access control systems.
