The Real Cost of Credentialing Failure
Written By: Thomas Standley
First – A Personal Note: Why This Matters
As someone working closely with U.S. sports leagues and major events – aligned security teams (and sometimes executive teams who use smartphones, not flip phones – more on that below), I’ve come to realize a hard truth:
There’s a tension between advocating for technology that improves safety – and navigating the budget dynamics that too often minimize it.
We work with credentialing and access control leaders across the country who see the risk. They understand the gaps. They believe in better systems. But when it comes time for budget approval, the conversation shifts – from improving security to reducing spend.
That conversation usually happens at the top, and often without full trust in the instincts of the people closest to the issue. The people managing media zones at NFL games, securing player tunnels at NBA arenas, or vetting contractors at national conventions – they know what’s needed. But when leadership only sees an Excel or Google sheet budget line item, not a liability, something gets lost.
We need to change that.
Credentialing isn’t a cost center. It’s a control system. It’s the digital gate to every locker room, every field, every camera position, every press box. And in today’s America – where safety expectations are rising and public scrutiny is unforgiving – that matters more than ever.
It’s not about what you’re spending today. It’s about what happens if something goes wrong – or what gets better when things go right. Sometimes it’s preventing a disaster. Sometimes it’s just making your staff’s lives easier. Either way, leadership needs to catch up with the people already on the ground, working hard to get this right.
This is personal because the stakes are high. And because we know we can do better.
Why Accreditation Deserves Executive Attention
In today’s U.S. security landscape – where federal expectations (DHS, CISA, SAFETY Act) are rising and public scrutiny is constant – your accreditation process can either be a point of strength or your weakest link.
Modern accreditation governs who gets in, where they go, and whether they’ve been properly vetted.
“Your pass is your responsibility. If we can’t trust the credentialing, we can’t secure the event.”
Cathy Lanier, Chief Security Officer, NFL
What’s at Risk: The Real Cost of Failure
Credentialing breakdowns aren’t just logistical headaches.
They can result in:
- Operational chaos (reprints, misroutes, last-minute rescans)
- Unvetted individuals in secure zones
- Angry media teams and unhappy rights-holders
- VIP embarrassment or credential mix-ups
- Safeguarding exposures and legal risk
📊 According to the NCS⁴ Gameday Security Magazine (Summer 2025), 90% of U.S. venue operators see credentialing as a critical security vulnerability when mishandled.
ROI in Numbers (Based on Accredit Estimates)
From major U.S. leagues to high-stakes entertainment events, the ROI of modern accreditation is clear.
We believe organizations can achieve:
- 2,000+ hours saved per season through platform-based workflows
- Tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in avoided costs per event (reprints, delays, fraud prevention)
- 6–7x faster access checks using photo or biometric verification
- Real-time oversight of access behavior via live dashboards
NFL clubs, for example, are using live business intelligence dashboards to flag scanning anomalies, track throughput, and respond dynamically on game day.
Who Needs to Be in the Room
What Accreditation Looks Like In 2025 and Into The Future
If your current system runs on spreadsheets or paper passes, you’re managing 2025 events with 2005 tools…
Flip phones and smartphones – is there really any comparison!
What I say to you – leaders charged with running the biggest sporting and event brands: “Your old methods are broken – they are the equivalent of trying to run a complex live event with a flip phone – when what you and your employees need is a smartphone. One tool gives you limited functionality and a false sense of control. The other connects to everything, automates key tasks, and helps you manage risk in real time.”
Modern accreditation platforms provide:
- ✅ Vetting logic and pre-approval workflows
- ✅ Blocked list capability to keep bad actors out
- ✅ Access control integration with zone permissions
- ✅ Real-time scan tracking and dashboards
- ✅ Biometric support (e.g., facial authentication at pedestals)
- ✅ Learning Management System (LMS) integration tools to help enforce safeguarding compliance
💡 Accredit offers optional product modules that support LMS integrations, allowing safeguarding requirements to be validated before a pass is issued. These tools are available to U.S. clients seeking to formalize safeguarding protocols across their staff, volunteers, and vendors.
This Is a Leadership Issue
Credentialing is no longer just a logistics task. It’s about command, credibility, and compliance.
Failing to modernize is not a neutral choice – it’s a growing risk.
What to do next – ditch your flip phone and:
🔍 Run a credentialing audit
🧠 Bring your CSO, COO, Legal, CISO, and Media teams to the table
🚀 Pilot a U.S.-proven platform that keeps you in control
At Accredit, we can help. We’ve supported some of the biggest and most sensitive events in the world – including the Democratic National Convention (DNC), the NFL (League-Wide), the Kentucky Derby, and Inter Miami CF. We’re more than just a software platform – we’re a credentialing partner, and we’re happy to share what we’ve learned.
Let’s stop thinking about badges – and start thinking about infrastructure.
*This article is based on Accredit’s experience delivering credentialing systems to U.S. venues and events, and informed by guidance from DHS, CISA, SAFETY Act protocols, NCS⁴ research, and top league security leaders.*
