If your office is still using older key fobs or proximity cards, you may be relying on credential technology that’s easy to copy with inexpensive tools. We’ve seen more businesses across South Jersey and Southeast Pennsylvania assume “access control is access control,” only to learn that not all credentials offer the same level of protection.
This guide breaks down the practical differences between mobile credentials and key fobs, and how to choose the right option for your office.
Why this matters: outdated credentials can be cloned
Some legacy credential formats (especially older, low-frequency proximity credentials) can be cloned using low-cost devices sold online. That’s a problem for any business that needs to control who can enter:
- Offices with shared suites or multiple tenants
- Property management and maintenance teams
- Manufacturers with inventory, tools, or restricted areas
- Healthcare and professional services offices handling sensitive information
If you don’t know what credential type you’re using today, that’s the first thing to verify.
Quick definitions
- Key fob/card credential: A physical token (fob or badge) presented to a reader.
- Mobile credential: A credential stored on a smartphone, typically using Bluetooth and/or NFC, presented via an app.
Both can be secure—if you choose modern, encrypted options and configure them correctly.
Mobile credentials: the modern default for many offices
Pros
- Harder to copy than legacy fobs when using modern encrypted platforms
- Convenient: employees already carry their phones
- Fast onboarding/offboarding: issue or revoke access in minutes
- Better auditability: clearer logs tied to a specific user
- Flexible permissions: time schedules, door groups, temporary access
Cons
- Phone dependency: dead battery or lost phone needs a backup plan
- User adoption: some teams prefer a physical credential
- Policy needed: you’ll want rules for personal phones, PIN/biometrics, and device changes
Best for
- Professional offices n- Property management teams
- Multi-tenant buildings
- Businesses that frequently add/remove staff or vendors
Key fobs: still useful, but choose the right kind
Pros
- Simple: tap and go
- Great as a backup credential for mobile-first deployments
- Works for any user (no smartphone required)
Cons
- Legacy fobs/cards may be clonable depending on the technology
- Physical management: lost fobs, replacements, and returns
- Slower offboarding if you don’t have tight processes
Best for
- Facilities with gloves/PPE where phone use is inconvenient
- Visitors/contractors who need temporary physical credentials
- Organizations that want a mixed approach (mobile + fob)
Security comparison: what actually makes a credential “safe”
The real security difference usually comes down to:
- Credential technology (legacy prox vs. modern encrypted)
- Reader configuration (secure mode, encryption enabled)
- System design (who can issue credentials, how quickly you revoke them)
A modern access control system with encrypted credentials—whether mobile or fob—can dramatically reduce the risk of unauthorized duplication.
Cost and operations: what you’ll deal with day-to-day
Mobile credentials tend to reduce overhead
- Fewer replacements
- Faster role changes
- Easier remote management for multi-site businesses
Fobs can be cost-effective in stable environments
If your staff rarely changes and you have strong control over issued credentials, fobs can still work well—as long as you’re using modern, encrypted formats.
What we recommend for most NJ/PA/DE offices
For many offices in Gloucester County, Camden County, Burlington County, Philadelphia, and Chester County, a mobile-first approach with encrypted credentials is the best balance of security and convenience.
Then, add a small set of modern fobs for:
- Backup access
- Visitors
- Staff who don’t want mobile access
How to choose what’s right for your office
Ask these questions:
- What credential type do we use today? (legacy prox vs. encrypted)
- How often do we onboard/offboard employees or vendors?
- Do we need remote management across multiple sites?
- Do we have restricted areas (server rooms, inventory, records)?
- What’s our backup plan if a phone is lost or dead?
The bottom line
Access control is only as strong as the credential you issue. If you’re still using older credential formats, it may be time to upgrade—especially if you’re relying on technology that can be duplicated with inexpensive tools sold online.
Systems Integrations designs and installs commercial access control systems across South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and New Castle County, Delaware, with a focus on modern, cyber-aware security practices.
Want to know if your current fobs/cards are outdated? We can identify your credential type and recommend a practical upgrade path for your office.