Imagine having access to your office building, work equipment and wallet, all in the palm of your hand—literally.

Have you heard of employee microchipping? It’s one of the newer, more controversial business security concepts, and it could be the next big trend. Read along, and see if this technology could benefit your business. If not, take a look at some of the alternative security measures we provide.

Employee Microchipping: What is it?

Three Square Market is a Wisconsin-based technology company that recently offered its employees the option to be microchipped. Fifty of the 80 employees voluntarily agreed to have a rice-sized microchip implanted between their thumbs and forefingers. The microchip uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and allows users to easily purchase items in the break room, open locked doors and log onto computers—all with a wave of their hand.

These microchips eliminate the need for keys, passwords and payment cards, using near field communications (NFC). NFC is the same technology used for contactless credit cards and mobile payments. The idea is that microchips will save employees time because they won’t have to carry around any extra cards or badges.

Microchipping Alternatives

Maybe your company doesn’t have the means or desire to implant microchips in its employees. Luckily, there are many alternatives to microchip functions that will still allow your business to be tech savvy and secure:

  • Access control provides employees access to certain areas using access cards, biometric readers, cloud-based access control, smart devices and/or intercoms. These systems are an efficient way to keep employees moving in and out of your building without having to insert microchips.
  • Mobile solutions allow users to remotely control their security system via computer, smartphone or tablet. This alternative to microchipping lets you see who wants access to your building.

Although the Food and Drug Administation (FDA) approved the use of microchipping on humans in 2004, they are still working to study any concerns about the potential effects of RFID chips in relation to medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

If you plan on using microchips, follow appropriate security measures for biotech devices, like software updates and staying current on the latest trends.