This Big 10 university turned to K&A to complete a university credential system migration without relying on proprietary providers.
This Big 10 university planned to undergo a secure credential system migration without relying on proprietary technology providers.
Across multiple campuses statewide, the university faced growing risks from outdated access control systems and vulnerable downstream applications using barcodes, mag stripes, and HID® iClass®. In a market dominated by proprietary providers, the university risked losing control over pricing, technology, and long-term operations.
The solution required a secure, unified ID system built on custom encryption keys — giving the university the flexibility to modernize while maintaining full ownership of its credential infrastructure. Amid pandemic pressures and tight budgets, the university needed a partner with both technical expertise and the authority to make decisions quickly.
With more than 30 years in the ID industry, K&A was uniquely positioned to deliver a secure, independent solution.
“As a custodian, that’s all we focus on: what’s in the best interest of the client. K&A is not in the game of just selling a product. We make sure that if [this] is the product you want, then [this] is the integration process, and we’ll make the technology work for you.”
We make the technology work for you.
K&A guided the university from outdated systems to secure, custom-encrypted DESFire® EV3 ID cards while preserving compatibility with existing campus infrastructure.
K&A also mapped every downstream application, from building access to printers and vending machines, to ensure a seamless transition across the entire university system.
By replacing vulnerable readers, issuing more than 110,000 multi-technology cards, and maintaining full university control, K&A created a future-proof campus credential system.
For more information, learn more about our secure credential encryption for university student ID systems.
K&A issued more than 110,000 secure credentials to students, faculty, and staff across multiple campuses.
Starting with incoming freshmen, every new ID card integrated both legacy systems and modern encrypted technology for seamless campus-wide access.
The university now reissues more than 45,000 ID cards each year using a secure, scalable credentialing process.
Multi-technology migration cards remain compatible with campus readers while supporting future growth.
K&A replaced 6,000 outdated and vulnerable card readers with custom-encrypted models across the university.
This strengthened physical access security and protected downstream campus systems.
More than 400 downstream application readers were upgraded to support secure campus services.
These readers allow students and faculty to safely access printers, vending machines, and other essential resources.
K&A installed 28 new card printers equipped with laminators and inline encoders across university campuses.
Staff received hands-on training to ensure fast, reliable operation and long-term independence.
Universities need more than new ID cards — they need a secure credential system they can fully control. Partner with K&A for encryption, deployment, and training to create a future-proof campus ID program.
