Case Study: Migration of Access Control System in the Lascăr 31 Office Building
The Challenge of Migration from Outdated Technologies to an Interoperable Security System
Outdated technologies – like 125khz technology - pose significant risks in today’s security landscape. Many legacy systems can be hacked in few seconds using tools that cost just a few hundred euros and are readily available online. This creates an enormous challenge for companies striving to secure their assets, protect their data, and ensure the safety of their personnel. When a single vulnerability exists within a security system, it opens the door to potential attacks that can compromise everything. This is the challenge recently faced by Datacor: migrating the outdated security system of the Lascar Office Building in Bucharest to a modern, robust and interoperable solution.
- Scope of the project : rebuild the security system
The building's owner, aware of the critical vulnerabilities of the existing 125kHz technology, turned to Honeywell Romania to deploy a whole security system architecture. Honeywell entrusted Datacor as a reliable technical partner to design, implement, and manage an ambitious transformation, ensuring cutting-edge security for the building. Transitioning to a new system that meets interoperability standards while ensuring scalability and intuitiveness for all end users involve now:
- Replacing the existing system without disrupting the building's infrastructure, ensuring a seamless transition for users.
- Enhancing the system to include comprehensive visitor access management capabilities.
- Making sure to deploy a scalable solution which can meet the future needs in terms of security.
- Migration from an old to a new system : the pivotal role of open technologies
For organizations, the migration process itself presents a critical challenge: how to transition from legacy systems to new, without creating further vulnerabilities or causing disruptions for users. Open technologies play a pivotal role in facilitating this transition, enabling the configuration of multi-technology readers to ensure smoother integration and a more secure environment.
In this process, it is strategic to address both security vulnerabilities, operational needs and anticipating the future needs. For the Lascar building, Datacor could rely on STid’s open technologies to secure the building and achieve the transition to high security.
o Implemented Solution: Cutting-Edge Technology for Advanced Security
Datacor designed and implemented a state-of-the-art security system built on the Honeywell Pro-Watch access control platform and STid’s open technologies. This comprehensive solution seamlessly integrated advanced card-reading technologies, encrypted communication protocols, and an innovative visitor management system, ensuring robust security and streamlined operational efficiency.
The system integrates advanced controllers and interfaces from Honeywell leveraging on STid Multi-Technology Architect® readers ARCS-A/BT. These readers ensure seamless compatibility with a wide range of technologies, including MiFARE® DESFire® EV2 and EV3, NFC (HCE), and STid Mobile ID® virtual cards. Additionally, five of these readers are equipped with QR code units, specifically tailored for efficient visitor management.
Transition to virtual badges
The transition to virtual badges has been designed to be seamless for users, enabling a gradual migration without any disruption to their daily routines. The existing technology is progressively replaced with STid Mobile ID, a more secure and intuitive solution, allowing virtual badges to serve as the single credential for all building applications. This upgrade enhances user convenience without compromising on the robust security levels required as STid Mobile ID vCards are the only EN17640-certified ones are used, offering the same level of protection as physical cards.
- The system eliminates cloning risks through complete encryption of communication between cards, readers, and controllers.
- Provides full traceability for users and visitors, with access to detailed reports.
Interoperability : the new standard
Beyond enhancing security, the true challenge lies in breaking down silos and creating an interoperable architecture capable of addressing every potential scenario. In a cyber-physical defense system, all devices must communicate and interact seamlessly, forming a unified barrier that safeguards without impeding human activity. Since humans are often the weakest link in security, proactive measures must be tailored to the specific criticality of each site. By prioritizing integration and adaptability, it is possible to design a defense system that anticipates and outpaces evolving threats.
Aligned with this strategy, they choose the encrypted communication via the OSDP V2 protocol which provides full protection against data interception, safeguarding sensitive information. The system’s interoperability and capability to manage multiple security levels make it a versatile and future-ready solution.
Visitor Management: A Unique System in Europe
Visitor management is a cornerstone of any effective security and site flow management policy. The system offers the flexibility to assign different access rights to various visitor types, pre-define access zones, and issue temporary badges, ensuring both security and convenience.
A standout feature of the project was the groundbreaking integration—implemented for the first time in Europe—of the Honeywell IM Visitor Management System with the Pro-Watch platform. This advanced solution enables tenants and building owners to issue personalized visitor invitations, granting temporary access through QR codes. This seamless approach enhances both the security and operational efficiency of visitor access management.
Conclusion
The modernization carried out by Datacor has elevated the Lascăr 31 building into a benchmark for innovation in security and access management.
Key advancements include analytical reports on user and visitor flows, segmented by time frames and tenants, providing a significant competitive advantage in building management.
By integrating state-of-the-art technical solutions and pioneering new features, the collaboration between Datacor and Honeywell has set a new standard for access control and security systems. This transformation stands as a powerful example of digital innovation designed to meet the complex demands of modern business environments.