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    1. Access & Identity

    Farpointe introduces added interoperability to its smart card readers with OSDP standard

    June 29, 2016
    More consistency, heightened security and overall better integration among different manufacturers' devices
    Related To: Farpointe Data
    (Photo courtesy Farpointe Data)
    Farpointe Data recently announced that access control manufacturers, distributors and integrators can add the option of having the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), a communication standard adopted by the Security Industry Association (SIA), to their Farpointe smart card readers.
    Farpointe Data recently announced that access control manufacturers, distributors and integrators can add the option of having the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), a communication standard adopted by the Security Industry Association (SIA), to their Farpointe smart card readers.

    Sunnyvale, Calif., USA - June 28, 2016 - Farpointe Data, a DORMA Group Company, the access control industry's trusted global partner for RFID solutions, today announced that access control manufacturers, distributors and integrators can add the option of having the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), a communication standard adopted by the Security Industry Association (SIA), to their Farpointe smart card readers. OSDP lets Farpointe smart card readers interface easily with control panels or other security management systems, fostering interoperability among security devices.

    "For years, Wiegand has been the industry standard but it is no longer inherently secure due to its original obscure and non-standard nature and the multiple definitions associated with the Wiegand name have created confusion over the years," explains Scott Lindley, Farpointe president.  "OSDP is IP-extensible for next generation security applications and has already been embraced by important segments of the industry. It is a standard that brings consistency, as well as heightened security and interoperability, between different manufacturers' devices. This is especially important for our OEM and integrator customers."

    According to Lindley, OSDP helps ensure that numerous manufacturers' products will work with each other. Importantly, interoperability can be achieved regardless of system architecture. The specification handles smartcards, constantly monitoring wiring to protect against attack threats and can serve as a solution for high-end encryption such as required in federal applications. The specification for handling LEDs, text, buzzers and other feedback mechanisms provides a rich, user-centric access control environment.

    Significantly, the SIA Access Control & Identity Subcommittee is in the process of making OSDP v 2.1.6 an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. Many manufacturers have already implemented OSDP and there are many other companies with OSDP devices in development. To encourage this, the SIA is releasing tools that will ensure that these numbers continue to grow.

    Farpointe's Delta smart card readers employing the OSDP standard are available for delivery now.