Gallagher / Cardax Compatible Cards & Fobs
Gallagher Cardax proprietary and DESFire credentials cannot be cloned, but Gallagher Prox readers also accept standard Wiegand — AKC supplies compatible 26-bit cards for multi-format Gallagher installations.
Gallagher's access control ecosystem spans proprietary Cardax IV 125 kHz credentials and highly secure MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 cards with AES-128 site-key encryption — neither of which can be supplied by third parties. However, Gallagher Prox readers are documented to also accept standard Wiegand formats (HID, Motorola, EM ASK), meaning American Key Cards can supply compatible 26-bit proximity cards for sites with readers configured in multi-format mode.
Gallagher / Cardax specifications
- Brand / OEM
- Gallagher Group Limited
- Technology
- Proprietary 125 kHz (Cardax IV format) + MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 with AES-128 encryption
- Frequency
- 125 kHz (Cardax proprietary) and 13.56 MHz (MIFARE DESFire)
- Chip
- 125 kHz: Gallagher Cardax IV proprietary encoding; 13.56 MHz: MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 with Gallagher AES-128 MIFARE Site Key diversification (not cloneable)
- Bit formats
- Cardax IV proprietary 125 kHz format, MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 with Gallagher AES-128 site-key diversification, Wiegand (HID / Motorola / EM ASK formats accepted by Gallagher Prox readers in addition to Cardax IV)
- OEM part numbers
- C297472, C297474, C297475, C297478, C297479, BVC297372
Our compatible Gallagher / Cardax credentials
American Key Cards manufactures non-OEM credentials engineered to work with your existing Gallagher Security readers — no hardware changes, encoded to your facility code and card-number range.
Can Gallagher / Cardax cards be copied?
No. Gallagher / Cardax relies on secure encryption, so it cannot be cloned from an existing card. This is a security strength, not a limitation of our service.
Where Gallagher / Cardax is used
- Gallagher Cardax installations running readers in Wiegand-compatible mode
- Mixed-credential environments where standard 26-bit cards coexist with Gallagher DESFire cards
- Sites transitioning away from Gallagher proprietary credentials to open-standard prox
- Government and critical infrastructure Gallagher deployments accepting standard Wiegand input
Compatible readers
Related formats
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HID Prox H10301 (Standard 26-Bit)
The HID H10301 26-bit format is the most widely deployed proximity card format in North America, used on millions of doors across commercial and residential buildings.
View compatible cardsMIFARE DESFire EV3
MIFARE DESFire EV3 is NXP's current-generation flagship smart card — EAL5+ certified, AES-128 only (single DES removed), with Secure Unique NFC messaging, 1 million write cycles, and extended read range — not cloneable, recommended for all new high-security deployments.
View compatible cardsICT Protege (Cardax / Gallagher-adjacent)
ICT Protege systems accept standard 125 kHz proximity credentials alongside ICT DESFire smart cards — AKC supplies compatible prox cards for existing Protege 125 kHz reader installations.
View compatible cardsGallagher / Cardax — FAQ
Can American Key Cards supply Gallagher access control credentials?
Gallagher's native Cardax IV and DESFire EV2/EV3 credentials use proprietary encrypted formats that cannot be cloned or supplied by third parties. However, if your Gallagher Prox readers are configured in multi-format Wiegand mode, they also accept standard 26-bit HID-compatible cards — which AKC does supply. Contact us with your reader model and configuration.
Are Gallagher MIFARE DESFire cards cloneable?
No. Gallagher DESFire EV2/EV3 credentials use AES-128 encryption with a proprietary site-key diversification algorithm. They are considered cryptographically secure and cannot be duplicated by commercially available tools or third-party suppliers.
Do Gallagher Cardax Prox readers accept HID proximity cards?
Yes — Gallagher's Cardax Prox 125 readers are documented to support standard Wiegand formats from other manufacturers including HID, Motorola, and EM ASK, in addition to native Cardax IV format. If your site's controller is programmed to accept Wiegand input, AKC can supply standard 26-bit compatible cards.