With rising security threats, the need for rapid lockdowns, and the growing student demand for convenience, the evolving environment is pushing higher education to rethink their approach to access control. And at the center of the conversation sits the next generation of campus credentials.

But before moving forward, it’s crucial to understand today’s credential landscape and why now may be the time to make a change.

Understanding Legacy Credential Technology

Among today’s campuses, you’ll likely find some combination of magnetic stripe and proximity (prox) cards, both of which come with serious drawbacks. From a technology perspective, mag-stripe cards rely on static data that’s easy to skim or clone while prox cards transmit unencrypted identifiers that attackers can intercept with basic equipment. And with both serving as a physical item carried loosely in wallets, phone cases, or pockets, these cards can be easily lost, stolen, or duplicated, creating ongoing security risks and costly replacements, not to mention inevitable wear and tears that drive up expenses.

“In a recent study we conducted on a large college campus, we found that many students were unaware of where their campus ID was currently located,” says Danny Chung, Director of Consulting at Northland Controls. “In the corporate world, that would immediately raise a red flag, but on college campuses, students showed little concern. Combined with the vulnerabilities of legacy credential technologies, this should serve as a strong motivator for campuses to transition to digital IDs for both students and faculty alike.”

While credentials represent a front-end motivator for change, it’s important to note that often the back-end systems that support this type of legacy technology are also of concern. In traditional environments, these systems can be siloed, piecemealed, or outdated. This not only poses a cybersecurity risk but limits the ability to integrate with broader campus technologies like ID management, network access, or payment platforms. This lack of interoperability forces administrators into time consuming and manual tasks such as provisioning users, tracking lost cards, revoking or replacing credentials, and keeping fragmented systems in sync.

Emerging Credential Trends

As we look at the future of campus credential technology, mobile credentials, or a digital ID that can be conveniently stored on either a smartphone or wearable device such as a smart watch, are at the helm. At its core, these next-generation credentials deliver contactless entry, remote provisioning, and instant revocation while reducing risks tied to lost or cloned cards and streamlining campus safety operations . And industry data has reinforced this trend with HID’s 2025 State of Security and Identity Report reporting that 61% of security leaders now view mobile credentials as a top priority.

Campus leaders across higher education institutions understand that this transition signals a new chapter in how higher education defines “modern security” while prioritizing a seamless user experience. “Mobile credentials embody the future of campus security,” says Danny Chung, Director of Consulting at Northland Controls, “which prioritizes the convergence of safety, convenience, digital innovation, and even environmental responsibility.”

Today, there are two main types of mobile credentials: Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth (BLE). While BLE technology is typically leveraged with a third-party app, NFC provides a more seamless “tap to go” type experience for users through your phone’s mobile wallet. Over the past few years, NFC has emerged as the preferred option over BLE due to its shorter range, simpler protocol, and reduced attack surface. Also, unlike BLE, NFC avoids pairing and discoverability issues, making it more reliable for access control while lowering the risk of spoofing or connection failures.

When talking with end users, two of the most common concerns are, “Will this drain my battery?” and “What happens if my phone dies?” This is where NFC technology stands out. Unlike BLE, NFC requires very little power, and, with the right permission settings, credentials remain active even after the user’s phone battery is dead.

While mobile credentials are becoming the go-to technology for campus upgrades, it is important to remember that physical cards remain essential in certain environments, such as laboratories, medical campuses, and secure research facilities. In these settings, regulatory or operational requirements often mandate a physical card for audit, hygiene, or security purposes. And in some cases, having a phone just isn’t conducive for the academic environment, such as in certain marine or wildlife programs.

In these cases, universities should be prioritizing newer credential technologies like SEOS and MIFARE DESFire EV3 that provide stronger security through mutual authentication, secure messaging, encryption (AES-128), and randomized identifiers to protect privacy. DESFire EV3 also offers flexible migration options, including backwards compatibility and dual-technology cards, easing the transition for campuses.

For many campuses, taking a hybrid approach which focuses on creating a mobile-first campus with the option to issue secure physical credentials, as needed, should be included in a broader technological roadmap.

Benefits and Drivers of Adoption

While there are many reasons why mobile credential adoption is taking center stage among campuses of all shapes and sizes, the growing focus on student and staff well-being and safety is always the prime motivator. Universities are facing growing pressure from students, parents, and the public to strengthen campus safety. And with rising incidents of violence, unauthorized access, and other concerns becoming more frequent, the ability to have tighter control over who enters their buildings, and when, is a top priority.

When getting campus-wide buy-in from key stakeholders, it’s important to highlight the specific value to their on-going operations. For campus card offices, for example, mobile credentials allow teams to remotely issue, suspend, or revoke access with ease, while reducing costs associated with printing, sorting, and issuing physical cards. For campus safety teams such as police, security, and housing, a digital ID reduces risks tied to lost or stolen physical cards as the likelihood of a student losing their phone is far less than misplacing a small piece of plastic. And because these credentials are tied to personal devices with added security layers like biometrics and encryption, unauthorized use to highly secure areas such as dorm rooms or residential housing, is harder to achieve.

While not quiet as security-focused, but just as impactful for campus strategy, mobile credentials can offer a competitive advantage when it comes to recruitment and industry benchmarking. Today’s students are digital natives, and they expect mobile-first solutions that mirror other aspects of their lives. Teams not planning for a future transition to digital-first credentials should understand that physical ID cards, and therefore the campuses that prioritize them, feel outdated. Paired with a generation that is more socially conscious than ever before, moving from single-use plastics to a digital footprint gives campuses a sustainable edge that resonates with their current student population.

Defining Next-Gen Campus Credentials

Next-generation credentials combine advanced physical cards like HID MIFARE DESFire EV3 and HID SEOS with mobile or token-based solutions to deliver both security and convenience. They protect against vulnerabilities with strong encryption (AES-128), mutual authentication, proximity checks, random UIDs, and multi-factor or device-based authentication, while reducing the risk of misuse from lost or stolen credentials.

These credentials also streamline access to dorms, libraries, payments, and events, lowering friction, costs, and user frustration. In recent conversations with higher education institutions, Northland Controls found that stakeholders across departments support mobile credentials for process improvements, cost savings, and ROI, with Student Affairs noting strong student demand, appreciation for sustainable efforts, and convenience as prime motivators. With touchless, instant access now expected from a variety of stakeholders, campuses that fail to adopt these solutions risk falling behind in both safety and student satisfaction.

If your campus hasn’t adopted next-gen credentials, your goal should be to aim for secure mobile credentials where possible and strong physical cards when needed. However, making the jump from legacy technology to a digital and secure credential takes work. From ensuring your hardware is compatible to making sure your software is integrated and educating both your internal teams and student population, it can often feel overwhelming just to get started.

If you’re looking to implement mobile credentials on your campus, reach out today to learn more about how we’ve helped universities like yours prepare and implement new technology.