Security Industry Association Releases New Corporate Credential Design Guide

The publication—produced by SIA’s Credential Design Working Group—offers recommended practices for the design and implementation of credentials and badges by corporate security teams.

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released the Corporate Credential Design Guide, a new resource produced by SIA’s Credential Design Working Group and sharing recommended practices for the design and implementation of credentials and badges by corporate security teams. The guide covers key topics in physical credentials, identity verification, badge production, data security, counterfeiting protection, technology options and more.

Corporate identity credentials are foundational elements of modern enterprise security, enabling access to buildings, systems and services while also representing organizational identity and supporting workforce mobility. Today’s corporate credential ecosystem, however, is fragmented, inconsistent and increasingly vulnerable to new forms of attack. The guidelines shared in the Corporate Credential Design Guide establish a unified, vendor-neutral framework for designing secure, interoperable and user-friendly corporate credentials.

“As co‑chair of the SIA Credential Design Working Group, I’m committed to advancing industry adoption of stronger, identity‑centric credentials that elevate the security and consistency of enterprise access. Until now, no dedicated guidelines have existed to help organizations design corporate IDs with both security and usability in mind,” said Teresa Wu, vice president, head of Smart Credentials and Smart Integrate at IDEMIA Public Security. “The Corporate Credential Design Guide reflects SIA’s mission to lead with standards that shape the future of identity in the enterprise. And this is only the beginning—this guide will continue to evolve as our industry advances, ensuring we build a more secure, interoperable and trusted foundation for years to come.”

“Participating in the SIA Credential Design Working Group as a co-chair on this initiative has been both impactful and rewarding. I truly enjoyed collaborating with a highly engaged group of industry peers, where every voice contributed to shaping clear, industry-wide guidelines for more secure, consistent and user-centered corporate ID credentials,” said Tiffany Renz, FARGO director of sales, North America, at HID. “The Corporate Credential Design Guide will serve as a valuable, practical tool for organizations as they design, standardize and strengthen their corporate identity programs.”

The Corporate Credential Design Guide defines a comprehensive set of best practices covering the entire credential life cycle, including:

• Identity proofing and issuance governance
• Credential topology, design and accessibility
• Printing, materials and durability
• Usability and human factors
• Security features and counterfeit resistance
• Biometrics and privacy considerations
• Mobile credential convergence
• Standards and interoperability

The guidelines will help organizations gain stronger resistance to counterfeiting and impersonation; consistent, accessible and user-friendly credentials; improved interoperability across systems, vendors and facilities; scalable support for mobile access and future digital identity ecosystems; and alignment with global identity standards and zero-trust principles.

On March 25 at ISC West 2026, the SIA Credential Design Working Group will present the session Designing Secure and Effective ID Credentials: SIA Best Practices. In this session, members of the working group will present an overview of the guide, highlighting its core principles and actionable recommendations and offering practical insights to strengthen credential design strategies while enhancing both security and user experience.

The Corporate Credential Design Guide can be found on the SIA website here.

SIA’s Credential Design Working Group was established in 2025 under the SIA Standards Committee to develop and standardize best practices for design, security features, protocols, standards and usability of corporate identification and access credentials. The group’s mission is to enhance security, improve user experience and establish clear guideline ensuring credential systems’ integrity and functionality across industries. A

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,600 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision-makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.