Types of room keys and electronic locking system

1. Room Division
Topic – Room Key Card & Electronic Locking System
Session - 2020-21
COURSE - BHMCT+MBA (B1)
Semester - 7th
Submitted To - Submitted By -
Mr. Vikrant N. Meshram Mohit Kataria

2. KEY-CARDS
Metal room keys are being replaced by electronically coded key-cards.
A key card is a plastic card which stores a digital signature that is used
with electronic access control locks. It is normally a flat, rectangular
piece of plastic and may also serve as an ID card.
Master keys can be changed in a matter of a few keystrokes and lost key-
cards are easily removed from the system.
One of the best security features is the ability of the computer to
investigate each door lock and get a printout of everyone who accessed
a particular room. This dramatically cuts down on theft from the rooms
by hotel employees.
The security advantage of the key-cards has made it popular and many
medium and large sized hotels are adopting this key-card system.

3. Types
Memory Card:
A memory card is equipped with a memory chip to store lock access
codes and records. They can store data from 2 kilobyte (KB) (it can carry
25 different key lock codes), 8 KB (it can carry up to 125 different key
lock codes), or 64 KB (it can carry up to 1350 different key lock codes).
These are great for staff members or managers who have access to
multiple locks.
 Smart Card:
A smart card, chip card, or Integrated Circuit Card (ICC), is defined as any
pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process
information. Smart cards can store more data than the memory cards.
Smart cards can also process data, allowing it to serve as an electronic
purse or ID.

4. Biometric Card:
The first generation of biometric ELS was seen in 2004 Saflok was one of
the first companies to introduce the biometric locks. The guest registers
his/her fingerprint or iris scan or other biometric metric (i.e. hand scan,
palm scan) at the time of check-in.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) :
It is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely
retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. There are
two main components of a RFID ELS:
RFID Lock: This is the key lock that looks for a RFID tag to grant
access
RFID tags (keys): These are the identification codes for key locks.
They can be in the shape of a plastic keycard, or can be stored in
different devices, such as a wristband

5. Magnetic Strip Card:
The key card is used by presenting it to a card reader; swiping or
inserting of magnetic stripe cards, merely being brought into close
proximity to a sensor Key-cards have the capability of being randomly
coded at the point of registration, which re emphasizes the guest
perception of room security.
Key-card control is computer-based and therefore creates the necessary
audit trail automatically.

6. Magnetic Strip Card Biometric Lock

7. Radio-Frequency
Identification (RFID)
Smart Card

8. Security
Above keys will not open the lock when the Guest has Double Locked it
from inside. From a security point of view, master keying is undesirable;
but from a practical point of view it is necessary.
Master keying presents two security drawbacks:
First is the danger that if a master key is lost or stolen, several locks
in the system would be compromised, thus providing access to all
those locks
Second is the loss of master key

9. ADVANTAGES
1. It ensures complete security as no room number is printed on card.
2. At the time of issue more than one keycard can be given to the guest
if there is a double occupancy in the room
3. It is possible to trace the receptionist who issues the keys from the
print out at the end of the day (to avoid unnecessary or extra
duplication which may call for security problems).
4. An alarm is set on when a wrong key card is used thereby alerting
security.
5. It helps the guest to avail other credit facilities form the various
outlets of the hotel
6. It also helps in conserving electricity in the guest room

10. Electronic Locking Systems (ELS)
These are new and improved way of being able to access a room
without having to use a bulky keys. These kind of locks are opened with
a keycard which resembles a credit/debit card. About 85 percent of
lodging establishments in the world have electronic locking systems
installed.
Types:
Hardwired ELS
Micro-processor based
a) One-way communication ELS
b) Two-way communication ELS

11. Hard-wired ELS :
Hard-wired system is an example to a first generation ELS. They operate
through a centralized master code console interfaced to every single key
lock
Very Expensive to wire each door
Great security
Micro-processor based ELS:
a) One-way communication: This system uses a microcomputer
(keycard console) with an electronic key encoder, a device used to
encode new lock combinations on guest keycards at check-in.
Disadvantages of one-way ELS:
i. One key can not be used in multiple locks
ii. If the guest decided to change rooms, he/she has to go to front
desk to recode the key
iii. If a wrong key is inserted into a lock, it does not alert security staff.

12. b) Two-way communication ELS:
•Two-way communication keys are more expensive to install; however,
they offer several security and convenience features
•In the two-way communication locks, a central database
communicates to locks wirelessly
•One key can be used in multiple places (i.e. pool, health club,
concierge floor)

13. Advantages of ELS over Mechanical Keys
1. Unique keys
2. Light plastic, magnetic stripe keys
3. Security
4. Replaceable
5. The cost of a new key is low
6. Recyclable
7. The cost of rekeying is non existent
8. Access control
9. Audit-trail capability
10. Privacy Feature