The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. Universal readers that support both legacy and modern credentials make the transition far more manageable, allowing you to upgrade step by step while keeping your system running smoothly. This guide will walk you through the essentials of credential migration and show you how to begin your journey toward safer, future-proof access control.
The Case for Open Standards
For decades, access control relied on early RFID technologies like 125 kHz Prox or first-generation MIFARE and iCLASS. These legacy formats offered convenience, but are now widely recognized as vulnerable to credential cloning and brute-force attacks. In response, the industry has steadily shifted to stronger proprietary formats, including secure 128-bit credentials such as MIFARE DESFire EV3 or HID Seos. These modern credentials dramatically improve protection and are already a safer choice for organizations looking to prevent cloning and credential misuse.
Now, we’re seeing the next step forward: a move to open standards. Unlike proprietary formats, open standards use transparent, widely tested encryption methods that make systems more resilient against today’s threats. They also provide future-proof flexibility, supporting both secure physical cards and mobile credentials while giving organizations freedom from vendor lock-in. In short, open standards create a stronger, more adaptable foundation for modern access control. Two key initiatives are leading the way:
- PKOC (Public Key Open Credential): A vendor-neutral specification developed by the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) that supports both smart cards and mobile credentials. PKOC features strong encryption and provides a modern, open, secure and future-proof replacement for legacy credentials.
- Aliro: A mobile-first open specification developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), designed for secure, interoperable access via smartphones, wearables, smart cards and other smart devices. Aliro includes support for offline features and certificate management.
| Smart Card | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Credential Only) | PKOC | PKOC (App-based) |
| Advanced (Offline, Mailbox) | Aliro | Aliro (Wallet-based) |
For organizations, the benefits are twofold. First, you get stronger security. Modern open standards use strong encryption methods (up to 256 bits) that make cloning or brute-force attacks impractical with today’s technology or even quantum computing. Second, you get future-proof flexibility. Because open standards aren’t tied to one manufacturer, you can choose the best mix of credentials, readers, technology and systems for your needs, and you’ll be better positioned to adapt when new threats or technologies emerge. (Read more: Security Principles for RFID and Mobile Credentials)
Watch the latest recording of the expert talk with Jason Ouellette (Corporate VP Innovation & Technical Partnerships) to learn more about the origins and purpose of open credentials, the evolution of PKOC and Aliro, and key positioning considerations for the future.
How to Get Started with Credential Migration
Access control is evolving quickly. So how do you move from where you are now to where you need to be? Here are the practical steps to guide your credential migration.
Step 1: Take Inventory of Your Current Credentials
Before you can move forward, you need to understand where you are today. Most organizations already have a mix of legacy and modern credentials in circulation. Start with a simple audit: What types of cards, badges or mobile credentials are in use? Are they older formats like Prox, MIFARE Classic or iCLASS legacy, or newer, more secure physical or mobile technologies? Identifying what you have helps you spot vulnerabilities and plan your migration more effectively.
Step 2: Explore Your Secure Options
Once you know what you’re working with, look at the secure options available now. Modern credential formats such as MIFARE DESFire EV3, HID Seos and other 128-bit encrypted cards and mobile credentials provide strong protection against cloning and brute-force attacks. These are widely available and supported by many systems, making them a safe upgrade path for today.
Looking ahead, new open standards like PKOC and Aliro are gaining traction. These support both cards and mobile devices, including smart cards, smartphones, wearables and other smart devices. These open formats can eliminate vendor lock-in, strengthen encryption and make it easier to integrate across different systems. They represent the future of access control.
Step 3: Plan for the Future
Security doesn’t stand still, and neither should your system. As technology evolves (including advances like quantum computing), encryption standards will continue to change. By adopting open standards and credential-agnostic reader hardware, you ensure your system isn’t tied to outdated or proprietary technology. Instead, you’ll have a flexible foundation that can adapt as threats and requirements evolve.
Step 4: Create a Migration Strategy
A complete system overhaul isn’t realistic for most organizations. Instead, think about a step-by-step migration. Replace old credentials gradually, phasing in secure ones as employees cycle through credentials, or apply newer technology at new sites where clients (for integrators) and access control applications are brought on board. Define your security requirements up front, then create a plan that balances security improvements with budget and operational needs while complying with all licensing and legal terms.
Step 5: Use Universal Readers as Your Bridge
This is the step that makes credential migration practical. Universal, technology-agnostic RFID readers—such as ELATEC’s TWN4 multi-technology readers—are designed to work with almost any credential format. Because they support both legacy cards and modern credential options, including mobile credentials, they allow organizations to phase in new credentials over time while keeping existing cards operational.
That flexibility is critical. With universal readers in place, you can begin issuing secure, open-standard credentials immediately without disrupting day-to-day operations. As new standards like PKOC and Aliro gain adoption, these readers can be updated remotely to support them, ensuring your system stays current without additional hardware changes. In other words, universal readers are the bridge between old and new, making it possible to move toward a safer, future-proof access control system at your own pace and on your own terms.
Step 6: Future-Proof Your Access Control
Future-proofing isn’t just about switching to stronger credentials today; it’s about making sure your system can evolve with tomorrow’s requirements. The best way to do this is by choosing universal readers with remote update capabilities.
With remote updates, you can enable new encryption methods or emerging standards like PKOC and Aliro as soon as they’re available, without replacing hardware or interrupting operations. This keeps your access control system current as threats change, reduces long-term costs and ensures your investment continues to deliver value well into the future.
The Future of Access Control Is Open
Legacy credentials no longer provide the level of protection organizations need. The shift to secure, open standards is already underway, and it’s the best way to build an access control system that’s safe today and ready for tomorrow.
We recently partnered with a global building security provider facing this challenge. Their clients—ranging from hospitals and universities to government agencies—still had millions of legacy cards in circulation. By deploying a universal reader platform built on ELATEC’s TWN4 MultiTech 3 module, they enabled compatibility with existing cards, immediate support for secure high-frequency formats, and readiness for open standards like PKOC and Aliro. Remote updates ensured new capabilities could be rolled out seamlessly as the technology evolved.
The same approach can work for your organization. With a clear migration strategy and universal readers to bridge old and new, you can upgrade step by step, without major disruption. The result: stronger security, more flexibility and a truly future-proof access control system.
Contact the experts at ELATEC to start your credential migration journey.
