The Benefits of OSDP White Paper

Introduction

The evolution of access control systems has seen significant advancements, driven by the need for more secure, flexible, and scalable solutions. From traditional mechanical locks and keys to electronic access control systems, the security industry has continuously innovated to meet modern threats. However, most electronic access control systems still rely on outdated technologies, such as the Wiegand communication protocol from the access control reader to the access control panel, and 125kHz proximity cards (prox cards), which have vulnerabilities that hackers can easily exploit. With the rise of more advanced solutions like Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) and 13.56 MHz contactless smart card (smart cards) technology, both security installers and end users now have more secure, cost-effective options for electronic access control. This paper explores the benefits of these technologies, emphasizing their advantages in addressing security weaknesses, enhancing system flexibility, and reducing the total cost of ownership.

The Modern History of Electronic Access Control Systems

Access control has evolved, but physical mechanical keys have served as the primary method to secure premises and do so today. However, managing physical keys presents significant challenges, including the inability to restrict access at specific times, the lack of audit trails, and the high cost of rekeying doors. The mid-20th century marked the first major technological leap in access control with the introduction of electronic access control systems like intercoms, and magnetic stripe cards. In the 1970s, Wiegand technology was introduced and became the standard communication protocol for electronic access control, enabling communications between access control card readers and access control panels. In the 1990s when the proximity card came to market, Weigand-based access control systems using proximity card credentials started to be widely deployed across facilities looking to move away from mechanical keys. And now, over 30 years later, this technology combination is still the most common electronic access control configuration.  

Despite its widespread use, Wiegand technology has not kept pace with modern security threats. Its one-way, unencrypted communication is vulnerable to interception and tampering. Furthermore, proximity cards, which have become the standard credential in many access control systems, can be easily cloned by hackers. The introduction of OSDP and smart card technology represents a significant opportunity to overcome these limitations and improve security, flexibility, and efficiency in access control systems.

What is OSDP?

OSDP is recognized as an international standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It was developed and released by the Security Industry Association (SIA) in 2011 as an open-standard communication protocol designed to enhance security and flexibility in access control systems. It has gained widespread adoption among electronic access control security manufacturers. The protocol's advantages, including AES-128 encryption, bidirectional communication, and extended cable runs, offer a superior alternative to Wiegand and make OSDP the preferred standard for modern access control installations.

Additionally, several security manufacturers have introduced combination access control and intrusion panels that utilize OSDP communication throughout the entire system. Integrating OSDP with intrusion systems provides many of the same advantages, such as encryption and flexibility in design. Most intrusion systems today rely on non-encrypted IP, RS-232, or RS-485 communications. By adopting these highly secure OSDP-based systems, users can benefit from all the advantages of OSDP for both intrusion and access control, along with the convenience of an integrated security solution.

Five Key Features and Benefits of OSDP:

1. Trusted Industry Standard
   • Industry Endorsement: OSDP is a globally recognized standard, widely trusted, endorsed, and adopted across the security industry.
   • Interoperability: As an open standard, OSDP enables seamless communication between security devices like access control readers, keypads, and biometric units from different manufacturers, promoting better interoperability and integration across various systems.
   • Future-proofing: By using an open standard adopted across the security industry, OSDP ensures flexibility in choosing the best devices for each application. Many manufacturers now offer multi-technology access control readers that allow easier transition paths from legacy systems like Wiegand and proximity cards, reducing future upgrade costs.
2. Enhanced Security
   • AES-128 Encryption: OSDP enhances security by using AES-128 encryption and key diversification, protecting data from malicious attacks such as "man-in-the-middle" threats where hackers could replicate credentials to gain unauthorized access.
   • Tamper Detection: Built-in tamper detection sends alerts if communication lines or devices like card readers are being tampered with, providing proactive threat detection.
   • Smart Card Support: OSDP readers commonly support smart cards, offering an additional layer of protection to prevent unauthorized access and safeguard sensitive information.
3. Ease and Flexibility of Deployment
   • Simplified Wiring: OSDP reduces wiring complexity and cost by using just two communication wires, compared to the six wires required by Wiegand systems.
   • Extended Range: Using RS-485 cabling, OSDP allows cable runs up to 4,000 feet, significantly longer than Wiegand’s 500-foot limitation, reducing installation costs and offering more design flexibility.
   • Flexible Topology: OSDP supports multi-drop topologies, allowing multiple readers to be daisy-chained to a single input, cutting installation costs and providing more configuration flexibility, while Wiegand’s star topology requires individual wiring, point-to-point, for each reader.
4. High-Level Convenience
   • Bi-Directional Communication: OSDP’s two-way communication allows for greater system control, unlike Wiegand’s one-way communication. This means devices can both send and receive data, enhancing control over the system.
   • Device Feedback: OSDP-enabled devices can provide real-time feedback like audio alerts, visual indicators, or text notifications upon successful card reads and system events.
   • Remote Updates: Configuration updates and data can be remotely pushed to devices, like access control readers, eliminating the need for manual updates at each field device, saving time, and reducing labor costs.
5. Lower Cost of Ownership
   • Cost Efficiency: OSDP’s open standard reduces reliance on proprietary systems, providing more choices for manufacturers, and helping future-proof security investments. Advanced security features reduce the risk of breaches, while simplified installation lowers the overall cost of deployment and upgrades.
   • Proactive Management: Bi-directional communication enables centralized remote management, reducing the cost and effort of training and ongoing updates, while also streamlining maintenance operations by pushing updates to devices remotely.

Pairing Smart Cards with OSDP for Access Control

An electronic security system is only as secure as its weakest point. While OSDP significantly enhances the security of access control communication from the reader to the control panel, it does not address vulnerabilities associated with the access control credential itself. Today, 125 kHz proximity cards are the most widely deployed access control card technology in North America. However, they present significant security risks that are ignored or forgotten by security installers and end-users.

125 kHz proximity cards lack encryption, leaving the data transmitted from the card vulnerable when the card is communicating with an access control reader. When a proximity card is within range of an access control reader, it transmits its full card number data, unencrypted. This means any device capable of activating the proximity card can capture the card number and easily duplicate it, without physically touching the card. In contrast, 13.56 MHz contactless smart cards like MIFARE®, and MIFARE DESFire®, offer advanced encryption and secure authentication, preventing cloning that can lead to unauthorized access.

Transitioning to OSDP and Smart Card Technology

For organizations still using Wiegand and proximity card systems, transitioning to OSDP and smart cards may seem like a complex task. However, many manufacturers offer multi-technology credentials and readers that support both legacy and new technologies. This allows for a phased approach to upgrading access control systems, minimizing disruption, and managing costs. For example, organizations can replace critical readers first with OSDP and smart card readers and adopt multi-technology credentials that work with both proximity and smart card readers.

Key Transition Steps:

If an organization is considering transitioning to a more secure access control solution, it’s recommended to consult a specialist who can help create the best path to meet their needs. The following are three approaches for organizations planning to upgrade their systems:

1. OSDP-Enabled Access Control Systems: Start by installing an electronic access control system that supports OSDP. These systems typically support both OSDP and Wiegand protocols, allowing for phased transitions where old Wiegand readers and cabling can remain in place initially.
2. Phased Reader and Cabling Replacements: Replace Wiegand access control readers and cabling with OSDP-enabled access control readers over time. Critical doors (e.g., exterior and high-security areas) should be prioritized, with additional readers upgraded as budget permits.
3. Multi-Technology Readers: For organizations taking a phased approach to replacing access control readers, multi-technology access control readers that support both proximity and smart cards offer a flexible solution. This allows proximity cards to be used initially, with a gradual shift to smart cards over time.
4. Multi-Technology Credentials: Another option is to issue multi-technology credentials that include both proximity and smart card technologies. This enables users to use both proximity cards and smart card readers without requiring multiple cards to be issued to a single user.

Conclusion

In today’s security landscape, the vulnerabilities of legacy access control systems pose significant risks. The adoption of OSDP and 13.56 MHz contactless smart card technology represents a crucial advancement in protecting assets, securing premises, and streamlining access control. These technologies provide encryption, tamper detection, extended communication ranges, and flexibility in deployment, addressing both current security challenges and future needs. By transitioning to OSDP and smart cards, organizations can significantly enhance the security and efficiency of their access control systems while future-proofing their investments for years to come. Now is the time for security professionals to embrace these technologies and proactively upgrade their systems to ensure the highest level of protection.