Founded in Zurich in 1863, Swiss Re does business from over 70 offices in more than 30 countries providing risk transfer, risk financing and asset management to a global client base. The Swiss Re Group is one of the leading and financially strongest reinsurers with annual gross premiums written amounting to over CHF 32.7 billion.

The distinctive form of the 40-storey 30 St Mary Axe, a striking addition to the London skyline, adds to the cluster of buildings at the heart of London’s financial centre. Designed by Foster and Partners, it is located in the heart of the City and at 180m, will be the second tallest building in the Square Mile and the fifth tallest in London (there are 3 taller buildings at Canary Wharf).

Stephen Neff, LEGIC Vice President Marketing & Sales, said: “Given the current high levels of security awareness worldwide, controlling access to and within 30 St Mary Axe is obviously of the highest priority. The system integrators on the project, Universal Security Systems, have installed networked digital colour CCTV and 200 card readers from Third Millennium for access control using LEGIC 13.56 MHz RFID contactless smart card technology.”

“As well as Swiss Re staff, as other tenants come into the building, they too will be issued with carefully controlled smart ID cards permitting access and egress to individually designated doors and areas of the tower. The LEGIC contactless technology has been designed to provide multi-functionality and encrypted data transmission, delivering the highest levels of security, together with significant advantages in terms of convenience and cost efficiency.”


“Worn on a lanyard around the neck or clipped to a skirt or jacket, the individual smart card ID requires little effort to use. It takes less time than retrieving a card from a pocket and passing it through a swipe card slot, and with no physical contact there is no wear and tear on either the cards or the readers. This means that Swiss Re’s LEGIC system will deliver secure access control for longer with less need for any field maintenance.”

About LEGIC

LEGIC Identsystems Ltd, with headquarters in Switzerland, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of 13.56MHz contactless smart card technology. Their product portfolio includes highly integrated LEGIC RF Standard and ISO 15693 and ISO 14443 compliant read/write chip sets. Security Modules and transponder chips for integration into third party products.

LEGIC Identsystems currently work with over 130 external co-operation partners world-wide who offer compatible LEGIC based applications including access control, cashless payment, parking, e-ticketing and multiplication’s in both workplace and leisure applications.