What is Access control system

July 28, 2022

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Access control system

 

When we talk about physical access control systems, we usually mean electronic security systems.

They usually use an identifier, such as an access card, to authorize people into certain areas.

And, because of their ability to record who visited when and where, they can provide valuable data to

help you track how your buildings and sites are being used.

 

 

Why use an access control system instead of a key?


Mechanical keys are the simplest form of physical access control and the method used by many small organizations.

However, even for a small company, using a mechanical key has some pitfalls and limitations—especially as the organization gets larger.

Here are some issues that arise when using keys.

 

Man lost key


If someone loses the key,

you will need to replace the lock to ensure that the lost key cannot be misused.

Then you need to hand out new keys to everyone who needs to enter that door.


Keys do not leave audit trails

You can't see if and when someone used the key, so you don't know who got into the room when.
Keys are difficult to manage


If someone needs to enter a lot of different buildings and rooms, they need a lot of keys,

which are inconvenient to carry and use. It's hard to remember which key corresponds to which door,

but tagging keys is a big security risk.


Enhance control and security


By using an electronic access control system, you can avoid the disadvantages of using mechanical keys

and gain more control.

 

It will manage:

 

who has access


For example, you might only want to allow automatic access to employees. And you want visitors and contractors to report to reception when they arrive.
which doors they can enter
You may only want some people in certain areas. For example, you only want technicians to have access to your lab.
when they can visit
Contractors and junior staff can only enter the building during their standard shift mode, while senior staff can enter the building at any time.
Under what conditions can they enter
For example, you can set the system to only allow contractors access if they show they have submitted a certificate.
For better control, a good access control system allows you to set these parameters for everyone. You can update them quickly and easily when needed.

It also shows who visited where and when, so if there's an incident, it's easier to determine who might be involved.

 

Various identifiers for access control solutions


Access cards are still the most commonly used identifiers in access control systems. You show the card to the reader, and if all the conditions stored in the system are met, you can enter.

There are other options for credit cards, though, and some offer higher levels of security.

The key identification methods are:

Something you own - like an access card or badge or other type of identification tag.
Something you know - such as a PIN or password.
What are you - biometrics, like your fingerprint or iris.
Each identification method has advantages and disadvantages, so the identification method should be selected according to the specific situation. For example, you can choose one method for the external department and another method for the internal department.

You can also use a combination of the two identification methods to improve safety standards. This is called verification - you use the first method to identify yourself and the second method to verify that it's you. So, for rooms that store valuables, you might ask people to identify with an access card, and then ask them to provide a PIN or show a fingerprint for verification.

 

Improve efficiency through integration


When it comes to deciding who has access to what content, there are often various departments involved. This can include human resources, facilities management and IT, as well as security. Often, these departments have their own systems that operate independently. However, this is inefficient and can lead to bugs with significant security risks.

For optimum safety and efficiency, all systems should be aligned. An access control system that has the ability to integrate with other systems can have the ability to connect everything together.