What Are The Important Elements Of An Access Control System?

By Loraine Nazaroff


An access control system is a technology that helps in controlling the entrance to a particular building, facility, or any secure area. Businesses and industries of all sorts have incorporated access control to make sure that only authorized people are able to access restricted areas. It is a good way of increasing not only the security of an area but also its privacy as well.

Unlike physical locks, computerized access control technology is more sophisticated and therefore is less likely to be duplicated. Access control terminals are usually installed just beside the point of entry, be it doors or gates, to which a user can either enter a password, passphrase or PIN. Users no longer have to bring a physical key with them and it eliminates the problem of having lost keys.

Biometrics is a popular type of access control system and it is able to grant or deny a person access to a particular area by scanning certain personal features such as fingerprint and retina. This type of access control is indeed very common these days in any office setting because it is almost fool-proof and is really accurate because fingerprints and retina are unique to each person.

Another great point about using an access control system is that you won't have to use as much security guards to secure the entry/exit points of a building or facility. Access control technology can also help to keep track of the work schedule of personnel and ensure they are doing their job on time. And since less manual work is involved, there is a lesser chance for people to commit fraud.

An access control system is primarily made up with three main components and they are the physical barrier, the access controller/reader, and the credentials. It is the physical barrier that actually prevents access to a specific area or entry/exit point. Many facilities today have doors with electronic locks while main entry/exit points are secured with a turnstile, all of which are managed by the access controller.

An access controller can be a stand-alone system in which all the important information and credentials are stored within the unit itself. Networked access controllers make use of a database system to verify the credentials of a person requesting access. Credentials can be a key card, password/passphrase, key fob, or a distinct personal feature such as a fingerprint or retina.

When using an access control system, it is important to understand that there could be some possible loopholes that should be given attention. One popular security breach is by tailgating, which is accomplished when an unauthorized person follows one who enters a secure area. Risks like this can be easily avoided by laying out standard protocols and keeping the system constantly updated.

It is also possible to link an access control system with a surveillance system so that they can work together in strengthening the security of your building or facility. This is an important part of internal control so that your operations run smoothly and run into as few problems as possible. It helps to ensure that your personnel are doing their work properly and are not involved in any fraudulent activities.




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