In this new series, we’re looking at wear and tear on ID cards, starting by exploring the IMPACT it can have
We’ve looked previously at the importance of durability where ID cards are concerned and in this series, we’re specifically tackling wear and tear: the IMPACT it can have, the REASONS behinds why it happens, how to AVOID it, and what SOLUTIONS are open to you.
In this, the first instalment, we focus on the impact of wear and tear on ID cards.
Firstly, and arguably most importantly, faded or damaged cards pose a security risk. If you’re using ID cards primarily for visual identification, the photograph must be of the highest quality, otherwise how can you be certain that the “new colleague” you’ve suddenly started seeing in the Comms Room has a legitimate right to be there?
Everyday use takes its toll but it could be evidence of tampering. For example, if any watermark or lamination has been damaged this should act as an alert that sets off alarm bells but is all too often disregarded. Someone with ulterior motives may have picked up an employee card that has been left on a train or lost in the street and purposefully damaged the photograph and used the “real” employee’s access credentials built into the card in order to gain access to sensitive areas.
On the flip side, damaged access or smart cards can simply cause frustration and inefficiency for employees if they can’t easily enter the spaces they work in or reach the data they need to do their job.
Then, of course, there’s the issue of corporate image. ID cards are a key element of your organisation’s brand and how it reflects in the outside world. Chipped, cracked and scratched cards give the impression of unprofessionalism. The wearing of up to date, well-printed, clear ID cards by all employees represents a vehicle to strengthen the corporate brand -important not only for company pride but also to reinforce customer trust when visitors are onsite.
Finally, the cost to reissue cards adds up, and can often be avoided if you tackle the reasons behind how cards are damaged in the first place. This is the area we will explore in our next blog.
