The Security Industry Association (SIA) recently released version 2.2 of their Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP). OSDP is an access control communications standard developed by SIA to improve interoperability and enhance security among access control products. Compared to the widely used Wiegand protocol, OSDP can bring a variety of operational efficiencies and should be considered for all access control systems moving forward Some of the benefits of OSDP include:

• Higher Security
• Advanced Functionality
• Ease of Use
• More Interoperability

Want more information on OSDP? Check out this video from our Global Director of Professional Services, Rob Kay, before diving into the newest updates.

So, what’s new with the 2.2 update? According to SIA, OSDP version 2.2 features:

• Enhanced method for file transfer – allowing for the transfer of large data sets for firmware updates or graphics from an access control unit to a reader.
• Clearer instructions for the implementation of SecureChannel to facilitate encrypted communications.
• Updated messages for handling smartcard applications within the protocol.

Northland’s EMEA Application Engineering Manager and PACSmith, Elvio Barros, elaborates on the update saying, “At Northland Controls, we are adopting the OSDP standard in all new installations in addition to assisting clients in migrating and adopting OSDP in a controlled, verified, and operationally risk-free manner within the facilities we secure.”

He cautions users that using OSDP version 2 will not automatically adopt encryption as a standard. “To ensure full end-to-end encryption, there are more factors to consider. If you simply use OSDP V2 without using secure channel, you are still transmitting data from the reader to the system controller in a vulnerable, unencrypted state.”

Reach out to our team of industry-leading physical security technologists with your questions or to learn more about how you can implement OSDP for a safer, more secure access control system by emailing info@northlandcontrols.com.