The Ins and Outs of Access Control System
Access control systems are designed to protect your business’s assets and resources by controlling who has access to them. They provide a way to monitor and record who is accessing your facilities, what time they entered or exited and often the duration of their visit. Access control systems can also be used to limit access to sensitive areas of your facility, such as restricted work areas or areas containing sensitive information. Access control systems may also be used to track employee movements throughout the day so that you can measure productivity levels and identify bottlenecks in your workflow processes. Often referred to as security management systems, they help ensure that only authorized people have access to certain parts of your building, while keeping unauthorized people out. Access control systems can be used in many different industries, including:
Banking – Banks often use access control systems to restrict entry into vaults or cashier areas.
Retail – Retail stores often use access control systems to restrict entry into offices or secure areas where money is kept.
Healthcare – Hospitals often use access control systems to restrict entry into restricted areas such as operating rooms or patient rooms.
Government – Government buildings often use access control systems to restrict entry into offices, meeting rooms, courtrooms and other private areas.
Access control systems work by granting access to users based on their identity. This can be done in a number of ways and with varying levels of security. The most common are:
Biometric Access Control Systems – These tend to be more expensive than other systems but they are very secure and easy to use. Biometric access control systems use fingerprint, retina or face recognition technology to identify the user. They can be used to restrict access to a single door or building, or they can be integrated into a larger system that allows employees to enter and exit through multiple locations. Biometric access control systems can be used as stand-alone systems or as part of larger networks that include video surveillance and alarms. The most common use for biometric access control systems is in security sensitive areas such as data centers and server rooms. The most common biometric technologies used today are fingerprint readers, retina scanners and facial recognition cameras. Each of these technologies has its own advantages and disadvantages, which our technicians can discuss with you.
Passwords – Passwords are the most commonly used form of physical access control. They are typically used in conjunction with other security measures, such as CCTV and alarms. They are relatively easy to implement and maintain, so they’re perfect for small businesses who don’t have a lot of money to spend on security. A password is usually a group of characters that someone must enter into a keypad in order to gain entry into your building or facility. The system will then compare the entered code against the list of valid codes stored in its memory. If they match, the door will open; otherwise it will remain closed until another code is entered by the user.
The main issue with passwords is that they’re vulnerable to brute-force attacks, which means that hackers can use software to try different passwords in an attempt to gain access. Passwords are also prone to being forgotten or lost, which means that you’ll need a way to reset them regularly — which can be inconvenient for your users.
Smart Cards – Smart cards contain a chip that holds personal information about the cardholder, including their picture and fingerprints. When used with an access control system, the smart card will only grant access to people who have been granted access rights by management staff or administrators. This makes it an ideal option for businesses with a large number of employees who want to be able to restrict the areas where their staff members can go, without having to deal with the hassle and expense of installing other types of security systems.
When it comes to choosing the right access control system, there are many factors to consider. You may have a specific budget and time frame in mind or be looking for a specific solution that will meet your needs. If you’re still unsure about how much an access control system costs, we can help. Our team of experts will work with you and your business to determine exactly what type of access control system is right for your company.
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