Do you want to upgrade the security of your commercial building by installing an access control system? Do you wish that you could manage who enters your building and at what times, all from the convenience of your smartphone?
There is a wide range of access control systems available, each with their own unique characteristics and uses. In smaller buildings, a door entry system might only need to secure four entrances.
For others, fingerprint scan and prox card authentication are necessities for controlling access to more than 20 doors in a large office. In any case, an access control system is an absolute necessity for any company that operates in a highly regulated sector or that houses sensitive customer or employee information.
Why? Having an integrated access control and video surveillance system will prevent unauthorised personnel from entering sensitive areas of your building and record any attempts at credential swapping. Access control, with its proven track record of successfully warding off unwanted visitors, is a crucial component of any comprehensive security infrastructure.
We can instal an access control system in your business so you can restrict access to certain floors or areas.
Building, asset, and system security all depend on being able to restrict who is allowed in and who is not, and access control systems are the most effective way to do this.
With the help of access control systems, you can limit workers’ access to private areas. In addition, you can always keep tabs on who is accessing company resources and how they are being used. They are also simple to integrate with other security measures, such as intruder alarms, CCTV, and road barriers or gates, to ensure that your business is protected around the clock.
Access Control Installation: Before Starting
You’ve probably heard of access control by now, and maybe even investigated its potential uses in a contemporary business setting.
There are many different hardware, software, manufacturer, installer, and management system combinations from which to choose, making the decision to implement one quite challenging.
Even for the most seasoned security professional, it can be a daunting prospect. In light of this, it is crucial to weigh the consequences of installing an access control system before making a full commitment.
Defining Goals And System Type
Based on the level of security you need for your building, you should go into the installation of your access control system with a clear idea of why you’re doing it. Important resources like servers, communications hardware, and data central to the organization’s operations should be protected at every possible entry point. However, security measures don’t need to be quite so stringent in public areas like restrooms and snack machines.
Think about how delicate the assets are that are housed in your establishment, and make security preparations accordingly. Being secure behind closed doors makes them much more difficult to steal or compromise.
Choosing an appropriate access control system can be challenging due to the wide variety of available options.
You shouldn’t try to master every single technique out there, but rather focus on mastering one or two that particularly appeal to you. The systems you implement can take any number of forms, including those described above as well as those that are mobile, web-based, or hosted in the cloud. Before doing anything else, you should decide whether you want a cloud-based or legacy solution.
Authentication Credentials And Technology
Access control installations should take into account a number of factors, one of which is the selection of the strongest and most appropriate forms of authentication, such as biometric data, key fobs, electromagnetic cards, keypads, signatures, touchscreens, or any combination of two or more of these.
Biometric data is an example of robust authentication, and it is recommended for use with high-security assets.
It’s more costly, so if you don’t really need that much security, don’t spring for it. Cards and keypads are examples of more straightforward authentication methods that can be used to secure less crucial areas. If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge of the credentials available to you, read on.
Selecting your gadgets is the next logical step. Given that a single manufacturer may produce dozens of distinct access control device models, making an informed choice is a crucial part of this procedure.
You or an outside expert should conduct a thorough analysis of the features and capabilities of the locking system, controllers, and card readers on the market so that you can select the most appropriate and user-friendly options.
When making your final selections, keep in mind that adding or removing them may cause some disruption to your system.
The time and money required to set up a system increases with their complexity, so keep that in mind when making your final decision about what kind of device to use.
For instance, if you prefer a legacy system to a cloud-based one, you can expect to pay significantly more up front. That’s because tailoring a server room to your needs will add time to the project’s schedule. If you want to learn more about the prices and time frames, read on.
Installers And Projected Costs
Professional access control installers will still be needed after you have selected the ideal system for your environment. In spite of the temptation to go with the quickest or cheapest option, you should keep in mind that the proper installation of this system will result in years of reliable service and worry-free operation.
To get the best possible result, it’s worth paying a little more up front for the most reliable installer even if it adds a little time and money.
Remember that the larger the facility, the greater the potential for mistakes. This is why it takes more time to instal an older system.
Let’s get into the price tag for this whole thing. The total price tag plays a major role in the decision-making process.
There’s a Goldilocks zone where too little investment can lead to an inefficient system, but too much can leave you saddled with debt for decades.
Budgeting is essential, so be sure to take into account not only the hardware itself, but also the cost of installation and a management system. Plus, you can always upgrade later on if you need to. Select a two-tiered strategy and upgrade at a later date. Furthermore, you can begin with a small setup and decide at a later time to expand by adding more readers or controllers.
How To Install Access Control Systems
The installation of an access control system should follow these six steps:
Planning & Design
The first and most important step in any endeavour is making a plan. It’s unusual to succeed without a well-thought-out strategy. Access control installation necessitates careful preparation, too. Errors can be minimised and the right system can be acquired for the building if adequate preparation has been made.
Analyse Your Access Security Goals Vulnerabilities And Needs
Consider your company’s needs first. The next step is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current security procedures at your company. Here are some things to ponder:
- How do you verify your identity? In what format do you find them? If so, how many licences are handed out annually? Will it be able to handle the amount of cardholders you anticipate? How confident are you that they won’t produce any fake IDs?
- Exactly what financial commitments have been made thus far? Can newer versions of the current system be installed?
- What property do you own, from buildings to lists of stockholders?
- Where do you keep information about your company’s employees, customers, etc.?
- What do you hope to accomplish with the security gate? Can it be integrated and expanded?
- How many entry points does your building have that require locks?
- Where can I find out the size of your business in square feet?
- How many and what kinds of entrances (vehicular, pedestrian, etc.) does your facility require?
- I’m wondering if your building has varying levels of security.
- How much does the current security setup cost?
Designing A Complete Access Control System
Assuming you have already done some introspection and planning for your access control installation, you can move on to the more fundamental details, such as:
- Can we estimate the number of necessary reader profiles?
- To what extent are different lock types needed?
- How many people need to verify your identity, and what kinds of identification do they need?
- What other equipment besides readers and waves do you need for door access control at your facility?
- How do you describe the current system for managing access controls?
- What kind of access communication system do you prefer, wired or wireless?
- Do you want to be locked into a single manufacturer’s ecosystem, or build your own open-source access control solution?
Cost Expectations
Thanks to technological progress, there are now better ways to keep your building safe. Standard keys are still used by many businesses today, despite technological advancements. There are businesses that, no matter how much money they would save by investing in a new access control system, simply cannot afford to do so.
You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 for a decent access control system, with the bulk of that money going towards paying for the hardware and mechanisms needed to control entry to the building.
- Costs per door to instal electronic access control typically range from $1000 to $4000.
- Price ranges for electronic locks are $20 – $900.
- The cost of a door reader or door controller can be anywhere from $80 to $3,500.
- The cost of hardware, like motion sensors, can range from $10 to $500.
- To use your access control software, you’ll need to pay a licencing fee of about $600 per year.
- Depending on the number of doors, access control system maintenance can cost anywhere from $0 to $50 per month.
An access control system’s cost will be determined primarily by two variables: the cost of materials and the cost of installation.
Hiring Professional Installers
The situation can be evaluated, the Access Control Installation process mapped out, and the ideal access control system for your company recommended by independent physical security consultants.
Other Important Factors To Consider Before Installing Access Control
Access Control Installation’s supplementary issues can be affected by many variables. A few other things that can affect the setup are as follows:
Access Control Installation: What You Need To Know
The installation process is one of the most crucial yet least understood aspects of physical access control. For various reasons, only a select few businesses are able to undertake such ventures, and even fewer can do so to a truly professional standard.
It takes careful planning and coordination of many factors, from hardware components to the availability of personnel, to carry out installations successfully.
The Hardware
Gaining an understanding of the procedure requires a thorough familiarisation with all the hardware components.
A comprehensive access control system includes the following features:
- The master controller is the device that stores your local database, connects your hardware to the cloud, and decides who has access based on the policies you set up.
- Interface boards are the devices responsible for relaying information between the reader and the master controller, and for implementing the controller’s instructions to the lock on the door.
- Reader, this is the thing that hangs on the wall that everybody can see. These devices scan your key card or mobile phone for a unique key number, which is then relayed to the door’s master controller.
- You can secure your doors with a variety of electronic hardware, including maglocks, door strikes, electronic crash bars, and more.
- In order to transmit information from the readers to the controller and power from the power supplies to the locks, access control cabling is required.
- A source of power is needed because these devices are electronic and cannot function without it. The controllers, readers, and locks in your system all rely on the power supply to function.
- Door position switches, also called door monitors, are used to detect whether or not a door is open or closed.
- Upon sensing motion or in response to the pressing of a designated “REX” button, these devices unlock the door and allow passage through.
Access Control Installation: The Process
This explanation will be as brief and simple as possible.
Let’s not even try this:
- Site visitation and information gathering. An on-site inspection is required before any hardware is installed in order to determine the best route for the cables and to settle on the hardware for the door.
- Distribute the wires! Wiring the area where you’ll instal all door controllers is the first order of business when outfitting an entire office.
Putting in the locks. The next step is for a locksmith to instal electronic locks on all of the building’s entryways. - Putting the pieces together. A low-voltage technician will connect all of the door parts to the controllers and power sources after the cables and locks have been installed.
- Installing and verifying functionality. After the components have been set up, the next step is to configure the system and try out the keys. Check that everything is functioning properly, and you’re good to go!
Type Of Access Control System Installation
Based on the type of system installed, there are two distinct kinds of access control.
- Through the Use of a Centralized Processing Unit (Controller)An access control system in which a single device manages both the readers and the locks. The Access
- Control System in which each reader and lock operates independently, without the need for a central controller..
Access Control System Installation With The Reader
This kind of set up requires three different parts.
- Locks – An electronic lock to restrict actual user access.
- Readers: Those responsible for recording comments made by site visitors.
- It’s the job of the controller to make sure the users are legitimate.
Step 1 (Wiring)
From the entrance to the server room, where the controller will be installed, a cat6 cable must be run. From the lock to the reader uses a second cat6 cable. We suggested that you use cat6 cable.
Step 2 (Installation)
All of the door locks, reader hardware for the wireless access point, and controller hardware for the server closet were all installed. Lock installation requires caution. They line up precisely with the wave’s opening; failing to do so could make opening and closing the door difficult.
Step 3 (Connections)
Wiring up an access control system is the meat and potatoes of the job. It’s simple, but you have to pay attention to every detail.
Step 3-a (The Connection Between The Lock And The Reader)
The lock and reader are easily linked to the controller. To begin, connect the power source and the controller’s two wires using the click method. For my power needs, I used standard red and black electrical wire. Do not turn on the power until you have verified the connection shown in the diagram.
The lock is next. In this wave, you’ve been given five separate wires of varying hues. Don’t disconnect any wires besides the two that supply power and leave the rest as is. Here, the lock’s power comes from a pair of wires identified by their colors-red and black. As shown in the diagram below, the red wire should be connected to the “NC” port on the controller, while the black wire should be connected to the ground terminal on the power supply.
Linking the reader to the controller is the third and final step of the setup process. Really, it couldn’t be simpler.
Each of the four wires is a different colour. Dual power and dual comms outlets. Using the reader’s markings as a guide, connect the black and red wires to the 12v and ground, and the other two wires to the 485+ and 485- ports, respectively. The diagram below illustrates this relationship.
All of this work pertains to the setup of an access control system. Please accept our sincere wishes that you found this article instructive.
Conclusion
Access control systems come in many varieties, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In order to keep unauthorised individuals out of restricted areas of your building, you should instal an integrated access control and video surveillance system. They also work well with existing security infrastructure like alarm systems, video monitoring, and gates. Due to the abundance of choices, selecting an appropriate access control system can be difficult. Biometric data, key fobs, electromagnetic cards, keypads, signatures, touchscreens, and so on could all be viable options, as could a combination of these and other methods.
Complex systems cost more in terms of both time and money to set up. The upfront cost will be much higher if you choose a legacy system rather than a cloud-based one. The timetable for the project will expand to accommodate the time needed to customise a server room to your specifications. How much do you anticipate spending on security hardware and other mechanisms to limit who can enter the building? Can you tell me what kind of open-source, centralised, or decentralised communication system you prefer?
Should you be tied down to a single manufacturer’s ecosystem or create your own? One of the most important but least understood facets of physical access control is the installation process. The availability of hardware components and human resources, among other things, must be carefully planned and coordinated. Usually, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 per door to have electronic access control installed. The master controller is the device on which you maintain your local database, link your hardware to the cloud, and make access decisions in accordance with the policies you establish.
The door readers transmit the individual key number read from your card or phone to the door’s central controller. The readers and locks are coordinated by an access control system. There is no master controller required for the readers and locks to function independently. The controller’s duty is to verify the identity of all users. It’s straightforward to put in place, but you’ll need to pay close focus on the finer points.
There is a distinct colour for each of the four wires. Join the black wire to the 12v and the red wire to ground. The other two cables go to the 485+ and 485- inputs, respectively. The last part of installation is connecting the reader to the controller.
Content Summary
- Do you want to upgrade the security of your commercial building by installing an access control system?
- We can instal an access control system in your business so you can restrict access to certain floors or areas.
- Based on the level of security you need for your building, you should go into the installation of your access control system with a clear idea of why you’re doing it.
- The time and money required to set up a system increases with their complexity, so keep that in mind when making your final decision about what kind of device to use.
- If you want to learn more about the prices and time frames, read on.
- What other equipment besides readers and waves do you need for door access control at your facility?
- An access control system’s cost will be determined primarily by two variables: the cost of materials and the cost of installation.
- A comprehensive access control system includes the following features:
- In order to transmit information from the readers to the controller and power from the power supplies to the locks, access control cabling is required.
- The controllers, readers, and locks in your system all rely on the power supply to function.
- An access control system in which a single device manages both the readers and the locks.
- Wiring up an access control system is the meat and potatoes of the job.
- To begin, connect the power source and the controller’s two wires using the click method.
- The lock is next.
- Linking the reader to the controller is the third and final step of the setup process.
- Using the reader’s markings as a guide, connect the black and red wires to the 12v and ground, and the other two wires to the 485+ and 485- ports, respectively.
- All of this work pertains to the setup of an access control system.
FAQs About Access Control System
What Is the Function of the Access System?
Access control identifies users by verifying various login credentials, including usernames and passwords, PINs, biometric scans, and security tokens. Many access control systems also include multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires multiple authentication methods to verify a user’s identity.
What Is the Importance of Access Control?
Access controls limit access to information and information processing systems. When implemented effectively, they mitigate the risk of information being accessed without the appropriate authorisation, unlawfully and the risk of a data breach.
What Is Known as Access Control?
Access control is a security technique regulating who can view or use resources in a computing environment. It is a fundamental concept in security that minimizes risk to the business or organization.
Which Best Describes an Access Control System?
Access controls help protect against threats and vulnerabilities by reducing exposure to unauthorized activities and providing access to information and systems to only those who have been approved.
Why Do We Need Access Control?
If you decide to use an access control system, it’s probably because you want to secure physical access to your buildings or sites to protect your people, places and possessions. That’s just the start for access control systems, though. The right system, used well, can add value in various ways.
