What is Access Control?

Consumers interact with electronic access control systems every day through keyless entry and smart home technology.

The first thing that comes to mind is often the remote key, keypad, or key card used to enter an office, car, or home.

However, there is a lot more to access control than an FOB and a card reader at the entrance of a door.

What are Electronic Access Control Systems?

Access control systems restrict entrance to secure areas of a property, building, room, file cabinet, drawer, safe, home, garage, apartment or other area containing sensitive or proprietary information, assets, or data.

The automated nature of the system provides 24/7 protection along with 24/7 access. As the front line of defence, companies use locks combined with log-in credentials to enhance traditional security measures. Any space requiring limited access to authorized personnel only should have an access control system in place.

Businesses today want to do more than simply restrict entry.

They want to monitor and manage access.

Increased security and monitoring require more than a deadbolt and keyless lock. It requires an access management system.

One that controls who may enter, where they may go, and when they have permission to be in a secure location.

Computer-based electronic access control systems marry the needs of physical security with the capabilities of information security.

With the use of credentials such as codes, FOB, key cards, or biometrics, systems have the capability to provide quick and convenient access to authorized personnel, while tracking and monitoring the movement of those who enter.

New technologies have rapidly increased not only the ability to restrict access to secure areas, but also the ability to monitor and manage that access through electronic means to better protect assets and data.

Users gain entry after the system verifies the credentials presented.

The software tells the system when to unlock the door, records the event, and can relax the area to maintain security.

In the event of credential failure, the system records the failure and might activate back up security, such as video cameras, alarms, or electronic notifications.

Attempts of forcible entry will also record the breach and activate an alarm.

Why Companies Choose Access Control Systems?

How Access Control Systems Operate
An access control system includes the following steps:

Essential Components of an Electronic Access Control

The term access control often brings images of vaults, secure elevators, and buildings. However, today’s access control also includes rooms, workstations, file cabinets, desk drawers, vending machines, along with equipment like printers or computers.

A typical system has two major components:

One controlling the access to a physical location and a system verifying the presence of authorized personnel.

The electronic access controlling the physical location, such as a door, typically contains several elements: