Military Bases Find ID Cards “Keys” to Security

And with already having nearly 2,000 electronic key card locks on bachelor housing doors at Port Hueneme in California, George Percy, site manager for Combined Bachelor Housing at Naval Station Ventura County, wanted to find a new way to increase security and control bachelor housing access.

After learning about multiple application card capabilitiesat a trade show, Percy decided to make the transition to a one-card system, in which service members' military I.D. cards would also serve as keys to their living quarters.

"We then began using the system in 2004 for permanent party residents to increase overall security," Percy said.

Port Hueneme has experienced multiple benefits from switching to the one-card system. "For permanent parties, it has decreased the amount of lost keys and lock-outs. The new system also prevents us from having to worry whether the correct person has access," Percy said. All permanent party residents obtain their one card upon arrival to the Port by having their I.D. card encoded as their room key.

Soldiers in transit military quarters are not required to have their CAC card encoded, but the option is available.

"People on base are already looking at the one-card technology to use for other things," Percy said.

Military bases are not the only groups moving toward the one-card system. Many universities are encoding student I.D. cards to serve multi-purpose needs such as residence hall keys, meal and library cards and more. The government is also consolidating, using one card for identification, access, purchases and travel.

Recognizing the need to further improve the security, productivity and management of various properties--such as military bases, lodging facilities, and laboratories--Onity expanded its electronic solutions with smart technology, developing a dual technology locking system with full interoperability: The HT28 Smart Lock (and revalidator), designed for multiple applications with 90 percent of the power of an on-line system at one-fifth the cost, and the Integra3 Smart Lock, which allows interrogation of the card as well as the door and integration with other one-card services (ID, records, e-purse, etc).

"We're seeing a strong interest from various military bases in using the one-card system, and Port Hueneme is actually one of the first ones doing it," said Onity's Vice President of Marketing Adam Yapkowitz. "As more bases become aware of the technology and benefits of the one-card system, we anticipate an aggressive demand across the nation."

Onity helped create Port Hueneme's one-card system by using its Motorized Encoder--which can write multiple applications on magnetic-striped military ID cards--and its HT24 electronic locking system. The HT24 electronic lock also allows operators to track the last 100 times the lock was opened, including date, time and card used in case of theft or vandalism.

For more information on Onity, visit: http://www.onity.com.