PSIA hosts PKOC validation testing event

ON WEDNESDAY, August 16, 2023, the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) hosted a special interoperability event with six companies involved in the access control market, demonstrating the emerging Public Key Open Credential (PKOC) specification. The validation testing was hosted at the Convergint facility in Centennial, Colorado and featured products from Elatec, JCI, Kastle, Last Lock, rf IDEAS, and SAFR Scan (RealNetworks).

David Bunzel, PSIA Executive Director, noted, “The value of having in-person testing sessions is to prove that a specification, like PKOC, is actually interoperable. It was an impressive demonstration, with each device successfully connecting and functioning in a matter of minutes!”

PKOC is a very exciting initiative, providing a free, interoperable credential, which is likely to usher in a new era in the security market. PKOC has specifications supporting both NFC cards and BLE for mobile credentials.

“The ease with which we were able to use the SAFR Mobile App where our PKOC credential was created, on devices from the five reader/lock and enrollment devices was incredible!" said John Cassise, Chief Product Officer at SAFR from RealNetworks. “I am also thoroughly impressed with how easily the other PKOC based card & mobile credentials are able to enroll in the SAFR Scan device without issue.”

PKOC will be demonstrated at GSX in a couple of venues. JCI will be hosting a PKOC demonstration at its stand which will include devices from the above companies as well as Idemia.

“PKOC solves a 30-year industry challenge which has plagued our industry with complexity, cost, and security issues.” says Jason M. Ouellette, Head of Technology and Business Innovation at Johnson Controls Inc., (JCI) Security Products, and Chairman of the PSIA. “Interest in PKOC has accelerated and showed the real value of PLAI and we are excited as PSIA members to demonstrate this in the context of interoperability across multiple physical access control systems, readers and biometric devices.”

With PKOC, interoperability is simple, the credential is secure with PKI level authentication and there is no cost for a PKOC compatible credential. PKOC is now offered as BLE Mobile and NFC plastic card, proving asymmetric PKI level authentication can be truly portable to all transport modalities.

Security industry professionals attending GSX are able to set an appointment to see PKOC in demonstrated up until September 5, 2023. Please email Debbie Maguire if you are interested!

For more information on PKOC and its open card and mobile credentials please look at the PKOC White Paper.

The PSIA has been active in developing and promoting open specifications that support interoperability in the physical and logical security industries. Industry publication, Security Technology Executive, declares interoperability “The Next Great Phase of Physical Access Control.” SecurityInfoWatch.com expounds on the predicted demand for PACS interoperability by saying, “Open protocols, standards and industry-accepted conformant products that focus on unbridled interoperability between manufacturers and vendors will be critical as advanced technology, such as analytics and ancillary devices, enter the realm of physical security and access control.”