System Integrators Can See How OSDP Fosters Interoperability Among Security Devices in Mobile Access Control

Farpointe Data will exhibit how the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) helps system integrators improve interoperability among mobile access control and security products at PSA TEC in Denver, May 3-6. The standard also applies to peripheral devices such as card readers and other devices at secured access doors/gates and their control panels.

“As security professionals, many of us feel an obligation to present the best security options available to our customers,” avows Scott Lindley, general manager of Farpointe Data.

“And, while some technology may leave you scratching your head, OSDP is logical, practical and imperative. Today, and moving forward, OSDP will greatly influence electronic access control (EAC) reader and controller development.

“In this, our first public display since the beginning of the pandemic, we look forward to demonstrating how this SIA OSDP standard meets the demand for access control installations that require advanced security or will be used in government and other higher-security settings such as data facilities and drug manufacturing programs. During TEC at the Sheraton Downtown Denver, system integrators will see how OSDP supports advanced user interfaces, including welcome messages and text prompts and how audio-visual user feedback mechanisms provide a rich, user-centric access control environment.”

OSDP importantly offers the option of secured, encrypted communications between reader and controller. This is independent of the encryption between credential and reader.

Farpointe Data will explain how such a two-way channel and encryption pave the way for advanced security applications such as the handling of smart cards, biometrics and government applications that require Public Key Infrastructure or Federal Identity Credential and Access Management requirements.

Besides OSDP providing a concise set of commonly used commands and responses, it eliminates guesswork, since encryption and authentication are predefined.

“In other words, OSDP fosters interoperability among security devices,” adds Lindley.

“It also provides the transfer of large data sets for firmware updates or graphics from an access control unit to a reader, clearer instructions for the implementation of SecureChannel, the OSDP encryption piece, to facilitate encrypted communications and updated messages for handling smartcard applications within the protocol.”

Farpointe Data has become the OEM’s global partner for premium RFID solutions, including proximity, smart card, long range and 2nd generation mobile smart phone solutions, for access control professionals around the world.