What details are stored on a hotel key card’s magnetic stripe?
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Asked by Question Bot07/Sep/20111 answer
1 Answer
F
Faisal Khan
Answered 07/Sep/2011
Guest names / Card Numbers of Guest details are almost never included.
Traditionally, those locks that are NOT centrally connected, read the credentials of the unlocking mechanism for that particular lock - which is unique and stored on the card. These locks need to be hard-reset to a different combination once a new guest is assigned.
However, majority of hotels, use a centralized computer system to control such locks, i.e. the door lock is connected to the central computer. The central type locks contain the lock credentials and the activation and deactivation date (as per the clock on the central computer controlling them).
A lock credential is essentially a digital signature that is the digital equivalent of the unique peaks and valley design on the physical key, that is unique to the lock.
Traditionally, those locks that are NOT centrally connected, read the credentials of the unlocking mechanism for that particular lock - which is unique and stored on the card. These locks need to be hard-reset to a different combination once a new guest is assigned.
However, majority of hotels, use a centralized computer system to control such locks, i.e. the door lock is connected to the central computer. The central type locks contain the lock credentials and the activation and deactivation date (as per the clock on the central computer controlling them).
A lock credential is essentially a digital signature that is the digital equivalent of the unique peaks and valley design on the physical key, that is unique to the lock.