OSDP: The Key to Higher Security and Cost Savings
When it comes to setting up access control, security and efficiency go hand-in-hand. Organizations need solutions that will effectively protect life and property without breaking the bank. One technology that helps achieve this balance of security and cost-effectiveness is Open Supervised Device Protocol, or OSDP.
A wiring standard designed to radically improve communication in access control systems, OSDP offers enhanced security, remote update capabilities, and wiring efficiencies that can translate into meaningful savings over the life of a system. This article is an in-depth overview of the various benefits and cost savings made possible by OSDP, as well as the OSDP-compatible products offered by ProdataKey (PDK) today.
Enhanced Security with OSDP
Security is the primary reason that organizations want to install access control in the first place, so protecting the sensitive information within a given access control system is critical. That’s where OSDP becomes invaluable. As Loren Bryner, Director of Product Management at PDK, explains, “OSDP adds encryption to the communication from the reader to the controller, so it can help provide additional security within the system.” Because OSDP supports encrypted communication, any data transmitted between readers and controllers is now protected from unauthorized parties intercepting or reading that information.
By fortifying the communication between access control devices, OSDP helps organizations to reduce possible security vulnerabilities that could lead to expensive breaches and incidents. Preventing these vulnerabilities can help organizations avoid the costs associated with compromised devices, emergency service calls, stolen data, and potential downtime. As such, investing in OSDP-enabled technologies can help prevent some serious, expensive problems down the road.
Automatic Updates Without the Truck Roll
Security threats are ever-evolving—which is why access control systems require constant evolution as well. In particular, access control systems require ongoing maintenance in order to keep up with emerging security threats. Firmware updates are critical in order to keep systems online, strong, and ready to tackle any possible risk. However, the means through which updates are completed can seriously determine how cost-effective the system is.
Traditionally, when a device needs a firmware update, that would require sending a technician to the physical location of the device—adding labor, time, and travel costs on top of the initial expense of installing the system in the first place. Luckily, OSDP completely eliminates those expenses.
When utilizing OSDP, integrators unlock the ability for readers and controllers to communicate bidirectionally—rather than a traditional single path of communication where credential information is passed from reader to controller. Because OSDP allows the controller to pass information to the reader, critical firmware updates can be delivered to access controller readers remotely.
“Thanks to OSDP’s bidirectional nature, if a bug is found or if a new feature is available, PDK can send updated firmware directly to the reader remotely, instead of a technician having to go to the reader and update it manually."
Loren Bryner - PDK'S Director of Product Management
In particular, for organizations that manage a large number of devices spread across multiple buildings or locations, eliminating these costly truck rolls for updates can create significant cost savings. Additionally, by completing updates remotely during low-activity hours, organizations can minimize disruptions to daily operations. No more closing off access points for maintenance, coordinating technician visits, or pulling employees or residents away from their jobs or homes. With remote updates made possible by OSDP, systems can stay current without getting in the way of day-to-day life.
Savings on Wiring
On top of encrypted communication and bidirectional communication, OSDP introduces additional cost savings through reduced wiring requirements. “OSDP requires fewer wires than Wiegand,” explains Loren, “so when you’re pulling wire during an installation you can use a bundle that has fewer wires in it, which can be a major cost savings opportunity.” While the difference in wiring may seem minor for an individual reader, those savings quickly add up across a large access control installation.
Additionally, OSDP supports multi-drop technologies, meaning that readers can be daisy-chained together, rather than requiring individual wiring for each reader. This not only cuts installation costs, but introduces some very useful flexibility when designing a system. With multiple devices able to share a communication pathway, integrators can have greater flexibility when planning how readers are positioned and connected throughout a facility.
Enhanced Security with PDK’s Red™ Devices
OSDP is a must-have technology when it comes to elevating security and saving costs for you and your customers—that’s why it’s a key feature of the line of Red™ High Security products from PDK. From the Red Reader V2 to the Red Wireless Locksets, the family of Red products from PDK provides OSDP-compatible solutions across the access control system, helping integrators deliver stronger security and greater efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity.
So, for organizations looking to strengthen their security while limiting the long-term costs of their access control infrastructure, PDK’s OSDP-enabled Red technology offers the practical path forward.
