Automotive spark plugs

CASE STUDY

Global Leader in Automotive Components Enhances Access Control Security

The Project

As an initial step, a global automotive components manufacturer sought to upgrade the employee badge solution of its largest North American subsidiary, which employs over 3,500 people in multiple locations. The primary goal was to implement an advanced badging solution, transitioning to a more secure credential from a legacy 125-kHz proximity credential. While the main objective was to enhance security, the project came with a secondary requirement of maintaining compatibility with existing identity-based applications.

The Challenge

The manufacturer faced several key challenges:

  • Vulnerabilities: The legacy credentials were susceptible to unauthorized duplication (cloning), posing a significant security risk.
  • Scalability: The existing data format offered a restricted number of unique ID numbers, limiting future expansion.
  • Global Scope: The new credential would be deployable across multiple continents, including North America, Asia and Europe.
  • Application Support: Certain non-security applications—such as cafeteria point-of-sale systems and equipment lockers—remain dependent upon the legacy technology and needed to maintain compatibility.

The Solution

The end user consulted a trusted local access control integrator to address these challenges. Brought into the process was the integrator’s preferred physical access control system (PACS) provider. Together the integrator and PACS called upon the expertise of Tom Piston, a seasoned RFID reader and credential specialist from Farpointe Data.

Tom proposed a tailored solution featuring:

  • Farpointe DE2-125 Credentials: These imageable multi-technology badges support both the high-security MIFARE® DESFire® EV3-based contactless smartcard format, as well as the legacy 125-kHz proximity format.
  • Farpointe CSR-35L Readers: Designed to read the high-security portion of the DE2-125 credential, and future-proofed with mobile support, these readers are fully potted, making them versatile enough for indoor and outdoor installations and carry FCC, CE and UL certifications.

Tom’s solution preserved the legacy technology for non-security applications while introducing a new data format within the smartcard portion of the employee badge—offering nearly ten times the number of unique ID numbers. His solution also ensured full support with the access control system and system integrator’s diverse installation requirements.

Implementation and Results

After securing the order, Tom coordinated closely with the PACS supply chain team to ensure timely drop-shipment of Farpointe products to the appropriate end user’s locations, ready for immediate deployment.

Today, the successfully upgraded access control system is fully operational and growing. Thanks to Tom’s strategic approach and collaboration with the integrator and PACS, the company has...

  • Addressed the risk of credential cloning
  • Overcome ID number limitations
  • Maintained functionality of legacy applications
  • Enabled secure, scalable deployment across global sites

Conclusion

This project exemplifies how complex access challenges can be solved through thoughtful collaboration and the right technology partners. In part with Farpointe’s innovative solutions and Tom Piston’s expertise, the automotive components manufacturer now benefits from a future-ready access control system that balances security, scalability, and operational continuity.