An access badge is a credential used to gain entry to an area having automated access control entry points. Entry points may be doors, turnstiles, parking gates or other barriers. Access badges use various technologies to identify the holder of the badge to an access control system. The most common technologies are magnetic stripe. The access badge contains a number that is read by a card reader. The number is sent to an access control system, a computer system that makes access control decisions based on information about the credential. If the credential is included in an access control list, the access control system unlocks the controlled access point. The transaction is stored in the system for later retrieval; reports may be generated that reveal who entered what controlled access point at what time, proximity, barcode, smart cards and various biometric devices.