Met Police to use smartcard access system

London force plans to unify physical and digital security

Scotland Yard is to get a new access system

The Metropolitan Police plans to purchase 80,000 smartcards and more than 35,000 smartcard readers as part of an overhaul of its identity and access management systems.

The Met is unifying digital and physical access systems to improve security.

"Strong token-based user authentication is a prerequisite for provision of this capability," says the tender document on the EU electronic tender web site.

"Smartcard-based authentication provides the required level of security, flexibility and control for both IT and building environments."

All laptops and desktops will also be fitted with smartcard readers.