What is Access Control?
Access control is the control and management of people, vehicles and goods to and from access points like, computers, gates, doors, environments etc. A very common form of access control we come across everyday is the use of intercom systems, and the control boom to a parking lot.
Benefits of Access Control
- Increases corporate awareness to safety, health, IT and HR
- Delivers comprehensive protection by recoding all identity-based activities
- Reduces exposure to loss and liability
- Protects every part of the business by complete control of physical and logical access
- Monitoring of employee productivity
Types of Access Control Equipment
Code Based access systems
A secure pin code entered onto a touch pad/screen is required, before Access to a controlled area is allowed.
Proximity access control
Proximity access control systems use cards or tags that are presented to readers to operate the access control. The card or tag does not need to make direct contact with the reader but must normally be placed within 5cm to 10cm of the reader. Proximity cards come in a variety of sizes but most modern systems use a card the same size and thickness as a credit card. Proximity tags can be clipped to key rings and can provide a more convenient and robust method of operating the access control reader.
Biometric
The newest technology in access control, biometric systems use the body's unique characteristics such as the retina, fingerprints or palm prints to determine authorised access through the use of fingerprint readers etc
Access Control Systems can also be integrated with Time and Attendance systems and job costing systems to give administrators or management full control of their facility. Biometric time & attendance system requires staff to scan their fingerprint when they clock on or off, eliminating the risk of buddy punching and improving decision making by delivering real time information on staff activity.
Access Control Technologies
Access Control requires four basic technologies for effective functioning. These consist of:
- A PC (personal computer) for overall system control
- input devices - devices that detect conditions or events (not specifically connected to a door) e.g. temperature monitors, motion detectors, panic buttons and glass break detectors)
- Access Control doors and related peripherals, including door contact switches, card readers and keypads, and locking devices
- output devices - items that respond to the input devices