A key fob or proximity (prox) card contains a chip that communicates with a nearby reader using radio frequency identification (RFID) to grant access without a physical key. These are common at apartment and condo communities for building entrances, gates, and amenity spaces like a gym or pool.
On a real property, fobs and cards are durable and simple but are also easily lent, lost, or duplicated depending on the card technology used; older low-frequency cards are generally easier to clone than newer encrypted formats. Reader placement and weatherproofing affect reliability at exterior gates exposed to rain and heat.
A lost or unreturned fob from a former resident or employee is a recurring access control gap if the property does not promptly deactivate it in the system. Bulk-ordered replacement cards without individual tracking also make it hard to know who actually holds a working credential.
In a patrol program, officers checking gates or doors during rounds may note fobs left in readers, propped doors defeating the access system, or unfamiliar people entering behind a resident (tailgating), documenting these in the daily activity report for follow-up.
Related entries
Official sources
- [1]NIST guidance on RFID securityNational Institute of Standards and Technology
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General industry and regulatory usage — not legal advice, and not an endorsement by BSIS, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or any law-enforcement agency. Statutes, regulations, and local ordinances change; verify current text at the official government source or with your attorney.