Introduced in 2023 and officially launched in 2026, Aliro is a standardized credential and communication protocol that enables an authenticated smartphone or wearable to securely communicate with a door lock or access control reader. The Aliro protocol is defined by major mobile and access control original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and establishes a shared foundation for best-in-class security, privacy and interoperability.
The Aliro protocol sits between the user device and the reader to streamline operability, supporting vendor-independent hardware and operating systems to work together. This allows a single key to unlock openings within a facility with a mixed population of readers, locks and user devices (smartphones and wearables). Credentials are stored securely on the user device, while communication between the user device and the reader is built on asymmetric cryptography to enable trusted interactions.
Aliro compliant products will leverage one or more transport mechanisms between the user device and the reader:
- Near Field Communication (NFC), enabling a tap-to-access experience.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), enabling longer range communication, allowing users to initiate a command to unlock doors as they approach.
- BLE + Ultrawide Band (UWB), enabling a more seamless hands-free authentication method.
Aliro will work even when the user device is offline and can be leveraged in no-signal areas like parking garages, elevators or underground facilities.
