--- title: What is an Access Credential? description: Find out what an Access Credential is and its role in your business security system. image: https://blog.dga.com/hubfs/Learn%20The%20Security%20Lingo%20-%20access%20credential.jpg --- [![cropped-DGA-Security-Logo-nsr-1-1](https://blog.dga.com/hubfs/Assets/logo/cropped-DGA-Security-Logo-nsr-1-1.png)](https://www.dga.com/) Search For: - [Contact](https://www.dga.com/contact/) - [Login](https://connect.dga.com/) - [Careers](https://www.dga.com/careers/) [Get A Free Consultation](https://www.dga.com/free-consultation/) - [Business Security](https://www.dga.com/business-security/) - [Intrusion Alarms](https://www.dga.com/business-security/intrusion-alarms/) - [Video Surveillance](https://www.dga.com/business-security/video-surveillance/) - [Access Control](https://www.dga.com/business-security/access-control/) - [Security System Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/business-security/alarm-monitoring/) - [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/business-security/environmental-monitoring/) - [Elevator Emergency Communication](https://www.dga.com/business-security/elevator-emergency-communication/) - [Fire Systems](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/) - [Design and Installation](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/design-installation/) - [Testing and Inspection](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/testing-and-inspection/) - [Fire Alarm System Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/alarm-monitoring/) - [Contractor Support](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/contractor-support/) - [Industries](https://www.dga.com/industries/) - [Art Galleries](https://www.dga.com/industries/art-gallery-security/) - [Banking and Financial](https://www.dga.com/industries/bank-security/) - [Cannabis](https://www.dga.com/industries/cannabis-security/) - [Hotels](https://www.dga.com/industries/hotel-security/) - [Jewelry](https://www.dga.com/industries/jewelry-security/) - [Nonprofits](https://www.dga.com/industries/nonprofit-security/) - [Offices](https://www.dga.com/industries/office-security/) - [Property Management](https://www.dga.com/industries/property-security/) - [Religious Institutions](https://www.dga.com/industries/religious-institution-security/) - [Restaurants](https://www.dga.com/industries/restaurant-security/) - [Retail](https://www.dga.com/industries/retail-security/) - [Tools](https://www.dga.com/tools) - [DGA Blog](https://blog.dga.com) Search For: [Business Security](https://www.dga.com/business-security/) Business Security [Intrusion Alarms](https://www.dga.com/business-security/intrusion-alarms/) [Video Surveillance](https://www.dga.com/business-security/video-surveillance/) [Access Control](https://www.dga.com/business-security/access-control/) [Security System Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/business-security/alarm-monitoring/) [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/business-security/environmental-monitoring/) [Elevator Emergency Communication](https://www.dga.com/business-security/elevator-emergency-communication/) [Fire Systems](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/) Fire Systems [Design and Installation](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/design-installation/) [Testing and Inspection](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/testing-and-inspection/) [Fire Alarm System Monitoring](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/alarm-monitoring/) [Contractor Support](https://www.dga.com/fire-systems/contractor-support/) [Industries](https://www.dga.com/industries/) Industries [Art Galleries](https://www.dga.com/industries/art-gallery-security/) [Banking and Financial](https://www.dga.com/industries/bank-security/) [Cannabis](https://www.dga.com/industries/cannabis-security/) [Hotels](https://www.dga.com/industries/hotel-security/) [Jewelry](https://www.dga.com/industries/jewelry-security/) [Nonprofits](https://www.dga.com/industries/nonprofit-security/) [Offices](https://www.dga.com/industries/office-security/) [Property Management](https://www.dga.com/industries/property-security/) [Religious Institutions](https://www.dga.com/industries/religious-institution-security/) [Restaurants](https://www.dga.com/industries/restaurant-security/) [Retail](https://www.dga.com/industries/retail-security/) [Tools](https://www.dga.com/tools) [DGA Blog](https://blog.dga.com) [Contact](https://www.dga.com/contact/) [Login](https://connect.dga.com/) [Careers](https://www.dga.com/careers/) Get A Free Consultation - Categories [Subscribe](https://info.dga.com/blog-subscriptions) - [Access Control](https://blog.dga.com/tag/access-control) - [Fire Systems](https://blog.dga.com/tag/fire-systems) - [Intrusion Alarms](https://blog.dga.com/tag/intrusion-alarms) - [Video Surveillance](https://blog.dga.com/tag/video-surveillance) - [Security Terms](https://blog.dga.com/tag/security-terms) [«  View All Posts](https://blog.dga.com) [Access Control](https://blog.dga.com/topic/access-control) | [Security Terms](https://blog.dga.com/topic/security-terms) # What is an Access Credential? - Share This Article - - - - [mailto:?body=https://blog.dga.com/what-is-access-credential](mailto:?body=https://blog.dga.com/what-is-access-credential) August 24th, 2023 | 1 min. read ![What is an Access Credential?](https://blog.dga.com/hubfs/Learn%20The%20Security%20Lingo%20-%20access%20credential.jpg) ![Blog Feature](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/298890/blog-files/blog--cards-feature.png) [Subscribe](https://info.dga.com/blog-subscriptions) ![Isabel Leckie](https://blog.dga.com/hubfs/Isabel%20Leckie.jpg "Isabel Leckie") [Isabel Leckie](https://blog.dga.com/author/isabel-leckie) Isabel is a Marketing Specialist at DGA. Access Credentials are devices that contain an encoded ID number that can be captured by an access reader. They are an essential component of modern access control systems, providing a convenient and secure way for individuals to gain access to restricted areas. These devices are designed to store and transmit identification data, which is then captured by an access reader. Some of their different forms include cards, fobs, tags, or mobile apps that can be easily carried around. One of the key advantages of access credentials is the range of encoding technologies they utilize. These devices utilize one or more encoding technologies such as proximity, smart card, magnetic stripe, or Wiegand to store and transmit identification data. Proximity technology, for instance, allows individuals to gain access simply by holding their access credential close to the reader, while smart card technology provides enhanced security through the use of encryption and authentication protocols. With the advent of mobile technology, access credentials can now be stored on mobile apps, making them even more convenient and accessible. With DGAPass, you can easily control access levels for each individual user along with schedules. For instance, you could give Employee A access to your retail location between 8 am and 9 pm and Manager A access from 4 am to 11 pm and so on. Each access point (or door) is also 100% customizable so you can limit who can access storage areas, for instance. 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