Residents' access cards can be easily copied, posing a potential security risk.

Many places have installed access control card readers, but are access control cards really secure? A recent investigation by Beijing Morning Post reporters found that with a copying device costing around 100 yuan, ordinary access control cards can be duplicated in just 30 seconds. Additionally, these copying devices can also duplicate campus cards and meal cards. In response, the police stated that if such products are used for illegal purposes, legal responsibility will be incurred in accordance with the law. Lawyers suggested strengthening supervision of such products.

Access cards can be easily duplicated

Ms. Li resides in a residential complex outside Guang'anmen, where both the main gate and building entrances require access cards for entry. Two days ago, she accidentally lost her access card and was charged 50 yuan plus a copy of her ID card when applying for a replacement at the property management office. However, Ms. Li discovered that a nearby key-cutting shop offered access card duplication services, with each copy costing only 10 yuan. “I thought having an access card made it safe, but it turns out duplicating an access card is very easy. In that case, it seems the protective function of this access card is effectively meaningless.”

Moreover, Zhang, a second-year university student, told reporters that he had once duplicated his school meal card at the campus entrance. “It only took 10 yuan and less than a minute to duplicate the card. The only difference was that the duplicated card didn't have the school card's logo, but it still worked normally.” Zhang said that some people had borrowed meal cards from students and taken them to the duplication stall to make copies. “This way, they could eat at the school cafeteria at student prices, which is much cheaper.”

Cloning cards to open doors is equally easy

Yesterday, Beijing Morning Post reporters found that some key-making and shoe repair stalls could clone access cards. At a key-making stall near Zhu Shi Kou, the stall owner claimed they could clone access cards without requiring ID registration. The reporter handed over their access card, and the vendor took it inside. After 30 seconds, they returned with a card slightly larger than the original. “Try it at home. If it doesn't work, come back.” When asked about the process, the vendor explained they used a decryption device. “The cost is minimal, and we sell them cheaply.” The vendor explained that most of his customers are white-collar workers from nearby office buildings who come here to duplicate their access cards after losing them. However, he noted that not all access cards can be duplicated. “We have to try it to see if it can be duplicated. If the access card is encrypted, it can't be duplicated.” When the reporter used the “cloned card” at the community's access control system, it functioned identically to the original card and easily opened the gate.