Outdated Keycards: The Silent Threat to Your Cybersecurity
That familiar beep your keycard makes when you badge into your office sounds like security. It feels secure. But what if that card is no better than a cheap padlock—easily copied in seconds?
For tens of thousands of businesses, this is the reality.
If your company is still using older “proximity” cards, you are not just at risk of a physical break-in. You are holding a massive cybersecurity vulnerability in your employees’ pockets, and it can be exploited with a $17 device bought online. Try for yourself.
The “Bad”: Your 125kHz Proximity Card Is Broadcasting Your Key
The problem lies with a specific, older technology: 125kHz proximity cards. You might know them by brand names like HID Prox.
These cards were a great invention in the 1990s, but they have a fatal flaw: they are unencrypted.
Think of it this way: The card’s only job is to broadcast its unique number to any card reader that gets close enough. The reader receives the number, checks if it is on the approved list, and unlocks the door.
The problem is, anybody can intercept that broadcast.
A criminal can buy a small, simple cloning device, walk past one of your employees in a parking lot, and copy the card’s number right out of their pocket or purse—in less than two seconds. They can then write that number onto a blank card, and just like that, they have a working master key to your entire facility.
It is the digital equivalent of writing your building’s key code on a sticky note and putting it on the front door.
The “Good”: The Modern, Encrypted “Secret Handshake”
This vulnerability is not new, and thankfully, the solution is robust and widely available. Modern access control systems use high-frequency (13.56 MHz) credentials and mobile (smartphone-based) access.
The critical difference is one word: Encryption.
A modern, secure card does not just broadcast its number. It has a secure, two-way “secret handshake” with the reader—a process often secured by protocols like OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol).
Here is how it works:
- The reader sends a random challenge.
- The card or mobile device, using a secret encryption key, performs a calculation and gives the correct answer.
- The reader verifies the answer and unlocks the door.
A cloner cannot just copy this. It would be like trying to guess a 32-digit password in a split second.
We partner with industry leaders like Hanwha, PDK (ProdataKey) and WaveLynx who build their systems on this secure-by-design foundation. They not only use encryption but also offer the added convenience and security of mobile credentials, turning your smartphone into a highly secure key.
Why This Is a Cybersecurity Risk, Not Just a Physical One
This is where our “Cybersecurity first” approach becomes critical. A bad actor cloning a card is not there to steal office supplies. They are after your data.
That cloned card grants them access to your server room, your network closets, your HR and finance departments, or any executive’s office. Once inside, they can plug a device directly into your network, bypassing your firewall and all your digital security efforts.
A physical breach is the first step in a devastating data breach. It reinforces our core belief: Cybersecurity begins with strong physical security.
How Do I Know If My Cards Are at Risk?
This is the hard part—and the scariest. Physically, a vulnerable 125kHz prox card can look identical to a modern, high-frequency encrypted card. Sometimes they have “HID Prox” or other markings printed on them, but often they do not.
The only certain way to know if your system is vulnerable is to have it audited by a licensed security professional.
Don’t Let Your Front Door Be Your Biggest Cyber-Vulnerability
Your access control system is the first line of defense for your entire organization, protecting your people, your property, and your data. Don’t let it be a wide-open door for a $17 cloning tool.
Upgrading your system to modern, encrypted credentials is one of the single most important investments you can make in your company’s overall security.
Is your business secure? Contact Systems Integrations today for a free, no-obligation access control audit. We’ll help you identify your risks and build a plan to secure your facility for the modern age.
Systems Integrations Phone: (866) 417-3787 Website: systems-integrations.com
Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida. Security Industry Association Cybersecurity Certified.