The draft specification of the ONVIF Profile D Release Candidate, which covers interfaces for access control peripherals, is now published for ONVIF members. This newest profile candidate is designed to provide ONVIF interoperability for peripheral devices such as locks, credential/biometric readers, PIN-pads, license plate recognition cameras, door phones, sensors and displays.

Using Profile D, a peripheral device can pass credential identifiers to a securely located Profile D conformant client, such as an access control unit or management software. The client or controller, which stores access rules, schedules and credentials, can then take the access decision and send a command back to the peripheral device to grant or deny access, display a message or request additional input such as a PIN code. Having sensitive information on a separate controller in a secured area enhances security. Communications between the device and client are secured using ONVIF security protocols such as TLS.
 
The Profile D specification enables a conformant client to configure a conformant device with the necessary data such as which door and access point the device is responsible for, as well as configure a list of allowed or blocked credential identifiers in a device that supports this capability.
 
Profile D can be combined with video profiles such as Profile T. Devices that can support Profile D and T include a door phone that combines a reader and lock with audio/video intercom, or an IP camera with a relay output connected to a lock that can be used by a guard to visually identify a visitor and remotely unlock the door.
 
Profile D, together with access management profiles like Profile A and Profile C, and video profiles like Profile T, will help users build modern and secure IP-based access control systems. It will allow for the integration of products from different manufacturers and help further drive the adoption of ONVIF interfaces in the physical access control and video surveillance space.