Electronic access control systems including pass-through credential communication devices and methods for modifying electronic access control systems to include pass-through credential communication devices

摘要

Electronic access control systems and methods address one or more weaknesses of conventional electronic access control systems. In some cases, an electronic access control system includes a secure communication channel for transmitting information to the access control system computer (ACC). In some cases, a method secures the communication channel between user access credentials (UACs) and the ACC.

主权项

1. An electronic access control system for securing an access point to a first secure area, the electronic access control system permitting access to the first secure area via an access control system computer upon presentation of an authorized user access credential, the authorized user access credential comprising access control identification information, the electronic access control system comprising:
a pass-through credential communication device adapted to be disposed in an unsecured area proximate the access point and to which the authorized user access credential is presented, the pass-through credential communication device being adapted for bi-directional communication with the authorized user access credential; and a secure cryptographic module adapted to be disposed in a second secure area, the secure cryptographic module bi-directionally communicating with the pass-through credential communication device and being adapted for bi-directional communication with the authorized user access credential via the pass-through credential communication device, the secure cryptographic module being adapted to receive the access control identification information from the authorized user access credential, via the pass-through credential communication device, in an encrypted form, and the secure cryptographic module comprising a cryptographic key for decrypting the encrypted form of the access control identification information; wherein the electronic access control system permits access to the first secure area via the access control system computer in response to the secure cryptographic module decrypting the encrypted form of the access control identification information.