Andrew Schonzeit, President of Idesco Corporation speaks exclusively to Security Journal Americas about what’s on the cards for the ID badging industry.

As we transition to a new year, what trends will continue to follow us into 2024 and what changes can we expect?

Idesco introduced degradable ID badges in 2023 that are growing in popularity.

We feel the market is moving toward eco-friendly cards and we will see more of them in 2024.

Customers are looking for environmentally friendly/degradable ID cards to lower their environmental footprint.

Plastic card manufacturers are continuously developing new ways to reduce environmental impact, while also maintaining the quality of their products.

Most companies have a green policy in place and always think of the environment first, which is why biodegradable ID cards have taken off.

They are made from materials that can break down naturally over time and don’t leave harmful toxins behind.

Moving forward, we will continue to see new technology introduced into the marketplace that allows for more personalized ID cards.

The most common types of technology in the market are proximity cards, near-field communication (NFC) and/or ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag types.

It is a much “cleaner” and safer solution if the chip can be embedded within the credential as opposed to putting a sticker on the outside of the credential.

Generally, this technology is used for gaining entry to a location or used for gathering valuable information regarding the event, including attendance at seminars, crowd flow, food services, etc.

What does the future look like for mobile credentials and visitor management solutions?

Another trend that we are seeing at Idesco is the adoption of mobile credentials at schools.

With this technology, you can use a mobile device as a credential to access doors, networks and services.

Mobile credentials are a cost-effective option that provides flexibility and convenience to users.

We believe that mobile credentials will play a huge role moving forward by enabling secure access with the ease of just swiping your phone.

We are also witnessing more organizations investing in scalable visitor-management software solutions to help create a speedy registration process to effectively track visitors.

Visitor management software helps organizations implement an automated process to secure a building by verifying a visitor’s identity and restricting access to unauthorized individuals.

What will be the top industries using ID cards in 2024?

Aside from schools, healthcare and the event industry, we at Idesco predict a big push in government and law enforcement in 2024.

In addition, we see more and more police and fire departments using oversized ID badges this year.

It’s an easy way for first responders to be recognized quickly during an emergency and help save lives.

This article on executive protection was originally published in the January edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.