The issue of access control systems is vital in the current security conscious world to protect people property and information. It can be small offices to a large business these systems assist the organization to control access to certain places and at what time. The security risks are getting more modern and so conventional lock and key systems are no more. The modern access control systems offer smarter safer and more flexible methods to control access as well as enhance operational efficiency.
This blog discusses the access control systems in detail by explaining what is the access control system how it functions the benefits of the systems and reasons why it is essential to businesses institutions and residential buildings.
Access Control Systems Introduction.
Access control is a type of security solution that is used to control the individuals that can access a room or other restricted area within a building. Access is not effected by physical keys but through a card code or biometric information or mobile device. Such systems check the identity of users and decide whether to provide access to the user according to the established rules.
The applications of access control system are common in offices hospitals schools data centers factories residential complexes and government buildings. They aid in unauthorized access deterioration decrease theft improve security and give added security to sensitive places.
The mechanism of Access Control Systems.
The access control systems work on the principle of identifying, authenticating and authorizing the user. It starts with an individual swiping his credential e.g. card fingerprint or pin code into a reader. This information is then matched with a stored database by the system. In case the credentials coincide and a user has permission access is allowed. If not access is denied.
Majority of the systems comprise access reader control panel locking and management software. The software enables the administrators to control user set access levels track user activity and create reports. This centralized control allows one to update permissions without altering physical locks with ease.
Important Access Control System Elements.
The construction of access control systems is provided with a number of major elements which are integrated in the most convenient way. Access readers are gadgets that read access credentials like card readers that biometric scanners or keypad units. The control panels are the brain, which is going to process the data and make access decisions. Doors are locked with magnetic locks or electric strikes and can be opened or closed based on the command of the control panel. Administrators can design monitor and support the system by use of management software.
All the components are important towards making the system reliable and secure.
Access control systems are of four types.
There are various types of access control systems that are aimed at fulfilling various security requirements. The most widely used ones are discretionary access control mandatory access control role based access control as well as rule based access control.
In discretionary access control, the system owners have the right to determine who has access. Strict policies used in government or military settings are a mandatory access control. Role based access control assigns permission according to job roles thus making it perfect to organizations. Rule based access control access is granted to predefined rules like time of day or location.
The other way in which access control systems may be classified is according to technology. They are card based systems, biometric systems keypad systems and mobile based access control.
Card Based Access Control Systems.
One of the most common solutions is the card based access control systems. Access cards are given to the users who swipe them to the reader in order to enter. Such cards may be smart cards or magnetic stripe cards in the form of proximity cards.
Card based systems are simple to operate and being cost effective and scalable. In case a card is lost or stolen can be canceled immediately without the necessity of changing locks. This causes them to be suitable in office schools and business buildings.
Biometric Access Control Systems.
Fingerprints or facial features iris patterns or voice recognition are unique physical characteristics that are used in the biometric access control system to confirm identity. Biometric traits are hard to fiddle with therefore they enable high security standards of these systems.
Biometric access control is normally applied in high security areas like data centers laboratories and financial institutions. It also does away with lost or shared credentials risk and correctly identifies them.
Pin based and Keypad Access Control Systems.
Keypad access control systems are systems that need one to input a pin code before accessing it. These systems are economical and easy to use hence fitting in small offices or limited rooms.
But pin codes may be shared or guessed thus they may be used together with other authentication techniques to enhance their security.
Access Control Systems Mobile and Cloud Based.
The current access control system is progressively integrating the use of cloud systems and mobile technology. The smart phones allow users to unlock doors, as the administrators operate the system remotely with cloud software.
Cloud based access control has the ability to provide real time updates and flexibility. It eliminates the necessity of physical installations on the sites, and enables the management of several sites at a single location. This comes in handy with businesses and multi site organizations in particular.
Advantages of the Access Control Systems.
There are many more advantages associated with the access control systems than with simple security. Amplification of safety is one of the main benefits. The limitation of access to authorized individuals can help organizations to safeguard employees visitors as well as their assets.
The systems also enhance efficiency of operations. Administrators are enabled to add remove or even modify user access with ease without modifying locks. The logs of activities give a good idea of the pattern of entries assisting in audits and investigation.
Access control systems facilitate adherence to safety and data protection laws by making sensitive sections available to the authorized staff only. They also can be easily combined with other security systems like CCTV alarms and time attendance systems.
Business Access Control System.
In the case of businesses, access control systems are needed to offer security of confidential information equipment and personnel. When contractors and visitors are the employees then offices can give them varying access levels. Sensitive places like server rooms and management offices could be limited.
Workforce management is also aided by access control systems that record the entry and exit times. This assists in enhancing accountability and transparency of operations.