The primary goal of any access control system is to prevent unauthorised entry to restricted areas. You need to keep track of when and who entered a particular location.
However, if you install the correct kind of system, the advantages of access control go far beyond mere safety.
Access control is also useful for preventing unauthorised personnel from entering a building. It also prevents employees and guests from entering restricted areas like storage facilities.
Access control systems also help firms keep tabs on who comes and goes from the building.
There is a universal need for a safe workplace. Digitally-enabled Access Control is crucial for this purpose.
When it comes to reinforcing zone limits and boosting premise security, Access Control systems are far more influential than standard security measures.
The value of a system that can create restricted areas and secure the people, property, and assets of each premise is recognised by many organisations across a wide range of sectors, such as the government, the pharmaceutical industry, the aviation industry, the education sector, and many more.
An access control system is a reliable option for any building that wants to improve building security or replace a cumbersome key entry system.
The ability to grant authorised individuals access to designated parts of a building on demand is a key benefit of installing an access control system.
This type of system also allows for convenient, flexible, and scalable administration. A few of the main advantages that access control systems can give your buildings are listed below.
Pros of High-Tech Door Locks
Lock and key systems are still the most widely used method of access control due to its inexpensive installation cost and ease of use.
A key copy shop may be found on almost any major thoroughfare, and locks are easily picked. In addition, it is difficult to keep track of keys when there are many people and a significant number of locked doors.
More and more sophisticated access control systems are available today, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities.
Basic keypad systems that call for a personal identification number (PIN) entry and swipe card systems in which a plastic card bearing a barcode is swiped through a reader make up the low end of the market.
One alternative is the use of proximity systems, in which a card, tag, or RFID device is simply waved in front of a scanner. What advantages can an access control system bring to your company?
Automated access control can safeguard employees and provide administrators with insight into who enters the premises, regardless of the business’ size or sector.
There are several advantages to installing an access control system, but the most important ones are:
Increased Restriction on Sone
No company wants its workers and customers to be able to use the entire building without any restrictions.
Access Control solutions can be implemented and adjusted to establish authority over access, allowing only authorised personnel access to sensitive areas.
Defusing Danger
Historically, keys were used to physically unlock doors to secure areas. Due to the ease with which keys may be duplicated, this form of protection is becoming less reliable in today’s dangerous environment.
Present day Access Control readers can be anything from a simple card reader to a complex biometric system.
It is far more challenging to replicate these features without the proper tools, and it is nearly impossible to configure them without proper authorisation from the back office.
Increased Safety
Every gateway transaction is recorded in the Access Control back-office, so if something happens and security wants to figure out who did it, they may compile a list of people who entered and left the area where the crime was committed.
A state-of-the-art Access Control system can be supplemented with additional connections like Video Management (CCTV), Vehicle Management, and others to increase site visibility.
FAQs About Access Control System
What Is the Purpose of an Access Control System?
Access control identifies users by verifying various login credentials, which can include usernames and passwords, PINs, biometric scans, and security tokens. Many access control systems also include multifactor authentication (MFA), a method that requires multiple authentication methods to verify a user’s identity.
What Is the Benefit of Access Control Policy Templates?
Access control policies are designed to protect data that is sensitive to the organization. Typically, private and confidential information should not be disposed of or shared with any unauthorized individuals.
Are Access Control Systems Important for Security?
Access control systems play an essential role in protecting a building and its occupants against threats from intruders, but they can also make a wider contribution to building management and the evolution of smart building technology, particularly if building access management systems are also managed in the cloud.
What Is Importance of Control?
Controlling is regarded as an important management function. Thus, it is something that every manager needs to perform in order to exercise control over his subordinates. Proper controlling measures are often found to be helpful in improving the effectiveness of the other functions of the management.
What Is an Example of an Access Control System?
Access control is a security measure which is put in place to regulate the individuals that can view, use, or have access to a restricted environment. Various access control examples can be found in the security systems in our doors, key locks, fences, biometric systems, motion detectors, badge system, and so forth.
Productivity Boost
Modern access control systems are flexible enough to be set up to manage not just doors and gates, but also parking gates, turnstiles, high-speed barriers, and motorised fences .
Since fewer people are required to perform the same level of security thanks to this Access Control feature, costs can be reduced without compromising safety.
Integrating Access Control across multiple areas of a building also greatly improves security procedures by making it more likely that threats and unwelcome guests will be noticed because they will need to acquire authorisation at multiple entrance points.
Enhancement of Availability
Access Control makes it easier for employees and other users to get in and out of buildings by allowing them to set up ID badges with multi-site authorisation.
This not only allows these people more freedom of movement, but it also increases security by reducing the total number of ID badges in use.
Expense Savings
Digital Access Control systems typically support integration with a wide range of third-party applications and solutions; some of these can be used to cut costs and energy usage in other areas of operation.
The most cutting-edge facility management tools, for example, inform staff in advance of the specific zones that will require heating and cooling.
It is possible to significantly reduce energy costs by enhancing the accuracy of on-site facility management and keeping a close eye on variable overheads like lighting and heating.
Connective Opportunities
Integrating with value-added products and apps that are already implemented on-site is another common practise for multinational corporations.
Controlled access for employees, visitors, contractors, and other third parties is facilitated by a wide variety of integration options provided by large organisations. These include vehicle management, video monitoring (CCTV), emergency evacuation planning, time and attendance and alarm systems, to name a few.
Putting Transparency into Practice Directly
Besides allowing for extensive customization, today’s Access Control systems also log and store data from each ID badge’s gateway transactions.
The Access Control system is instructed to keep track of the date, time, and scanning location whenever an ID badge is scanned.
This data can be used to monitor worker attendance and productivity, as well as to control access to restricted areas.
Personnel Changes Made Easier
To keep track of who has keys to various areas and who has used them might be difficult for companies with more than 100 workers.
Digital Access Control solutions make it easy for authorised personnel to make the required adjustments whenever an employee joins or leaves the company.
The Ability to Expand Globally
Nearly all commercially available Access Control systems nowadays are hosted in the cloud and run via a web-based administration console.
As a result, businesses may rapidly expand their operations from a handful of locations around the country to a global footprint.
Managing an access control system is simple.
Access control systems, such as keyless entry and card access systems, make it simple to regulate the safety of a building’s occupants.
After installing an access control system, you won’t have to track down individual keys for each employee.
An access control system offers adequate access to each employee in your business, enabling them to rapidly enter the structural models and offices without concern of a breach of security.
Put An End To The Frustration Of Using Normal Keys
There are many reasons why adequate security is difficult to provide for crucial systems. The minimum need is the creation of a new key if an employee loses theirs.
Replacement of all locks that were previously opened with the lost key is often necessary in cases like this, especially in high-security buildings. Since one employee’s key was lost, all of the other employees will need to be given new keys.
If a card or key is lost or stolen, the system administrator can simply disable the lost card and provide a replacement.
You can keep using the same key and lock. This saves you time and effort in ensuring the constant safety of your building by eliminating the usual difficulties associated with restricted access regions.
Control When Users Can Log In By Specifying Dates And Times
Entry control systems provide robust scheduling features that let you give certain people access to your building on specific days and at defined times, through specific doors and groups of entries.
Assume, for the sake of argument, that your establishment is hosting a conference or has extended an invitation to various interested parties to come and check out your establishment.
If you have guests coming in for a short time, you can provide them temporary access to the offices and meeting rooms they’ll require.
By using an access control system, you may easily modify existing access levels to welcome new visitors without compromising the safety of the building as a whole.
Access Credentials Should Be Required
Offices, labs, and manufacturing areas may need heightened security due to the presence of sensitive materials or because they provide a higher danger to employees who have not received the appropriate safety training.
To restrict entry to a restricted area, an access control system can be installed to demand proof of identity from potential visitors.
That way, you don’t have to deal with the inconvenience of installing and maintaining conventional security systems, but you still have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your building is safe.
Do Not Lose Sight of Your Visitors!
Having a record of who entered and exited is another major advantage of access control systems. If there is ever an incident like a theft or an accident, you will be able to know exactly who was in a given location at the moment.
In addition to bolstering security, this function can be used to keep track of when, how often, and who enters and leaves standard buildings and workplaces.
Effectively Enhanced Safety.
Most importantly, installing an access control system provides your building with the security measures it needs in a manner that can be easily adapted to the changing needs of your business.
New cards can be issued, mandatory credentials can be revised, and access can be restricted to certain times or days of the week as your business or facility expands.
Restricting, adding, or managing access to select buildings based on credentials and present circumstances is simple as employees leave, are promoted, and change positions.
Eliminate the need to track individual keys by adjusting employee permissions as necessary.
Installation of an access control system is a terrific approach to increase security at your business without interfering with normal operations.
Contact the professionals at Vanguard Fire & Security Systems to schedule a demonstration of how an access control system could benefit your building or campus.
Those Who Use Access Control Systems.
There are several ways in which an access control system might make security easier to manage. Therefore, an access control system is useful for anyone concerned with safety.
The landlord of an office building usually handles the building’s security, while the tenants are responsible for their own floors’ safety measures. Access control systems are useful in a wide range of business settings, including but not limited to:
Healthcare
HIPPA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, requires strict adherence to the privacy of patient information.
Access control systems are used for patient safety in clinics, insurance agencies, and hospitals.
Digital data is more safe when IT rooms and even equipment racks are protected by access control systems. It can also be used to protect paper documents, exam rooms, and sensitive medical machinery like MRI scanners.
Access control systems can keep untrained people out of storage areas where hazardous materials, such as chemicals or biological waste, are kept.
Government
Protecting their citizens is a primary priority for city and state governments. Access to government facilities may be limited in order to comply with homeland security requirements.
Using an access control system, businesses may ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive locations while still allowing the general public to use other areas.
Enterprise
Credit card processing businesses must adhere to PCI Data Security Standards.
Information technology (IT) rooms and servers can be secured using access control systems. To further ensure the security of sensitive data, they may monitor who has accessed it and at what time.
Education
For the safety of students and faculty, schools, especially those with expansive campuses like universities, require measures at many locations. Controlling who enters a building is now a breeze with the help of access control systems.
Controlling who can enter restricted areas like parking lots and buildings is a key function of access control systems in universities.
Access control systems can be set up to restrict use of lab equipment and expensive computers to only individuals enrolled in courses that require their use.
Sacred Spaces
It might be challenging to find a happy medium between safety and openness in places of worship that accept all people.
The use of an access control system makes this simple by keeping the doors unlocked except during service periods. Employee attendance at places of worship can be monitored.
Schools, daycares, and workplaces can lock down specific portions while leaving the remainder of the building accessible to the public.
Enterprises of All Sizes
The use of key cards and other forms of access control is not limited to large companies with thousands of employees.
The advantages of installing an access control system are not limited to large corporations.
Because it is possible to scale access control systems to meet the needs of businesses of varying sizes and budgets, even the smallest enterprises can benefit from this technology.
You can safeguard your company with the correct access control security system even if you don’t know much about security or technology.
What Are the Different Kinds of Systems?
Servers in the cloud or on-premises can host access control systems. Access can be managed through keypads, card readers, and even mobile devices. There are three ways to control who has access to what:
- All users with the same role in the system have the same level of privileges under a role-based access control system. Any doctor or nurse working in a hospital lab, for instance, can enter the chemical storage room, but the facility’s administrators are locked out. Different levels of seniority within an organisation can each be granted access to specific resources under this system.
- In a discretionary style of security, the business owner decides who gets to use each door. If a card reader is installed at a door, only those people on the owner’s approved user list will be able to enter that space.
- The strictest form of access control is the mandatory variety. In this scenario, access is strictly limited by design, either via policy or software or hardware. To provide access, larger organisations can use a system called “required access,” which is effective in cases when business needs come first and security is secondary. An example would be a facility that requires employees to have a password or enter a pin to gain access. This is perfect for industries like the computer industry, which has a high number of specialised security requirements. It enables a centralised authority, such as a security office, to determine which regions a certain person is permitted to enter. Furthermore, it implements a unified security strategy in several places.
The Importance of Access Control
Having an automated access control system installed has many advantages. At the top of the list of benefits is the ability to restrict access to just authorised personnel.
In addition to controlling who enters the facility, you may also limit their access to certain rooms while they are inside.
Using an access control system, a company’s manager may monitor employees’ comings and goings throughout the day.
The use of access cards to gain entry to certain areas of a facility allows you to monitor precisely where everyone is at all times.
When you use the system to restrict access to certain areas of the facility, you can help ensure the security of your employees by preventing them from approaching hazardous locations.
You can increase security by preventing unauthorised people from gaining access to sensitive places.
Cards that can be activated and deactivated at any time are used in many access control systems. These cards can’t be copied and lost like ordinary keys can, and if one is stolen, it can be immediately disabled to prevent entry.
Automated access control is an excellent resource for property managers concerned with the safety of their tenants and their goods.
You can greatly limit the likelihood of unwelcome visitors gaining access to the premises by making the use of access cards mandatory.
Safeguard Your Enterprise
A more workable option, an access control system is a valuable tool for any business.
With the help of a modern access control system, companies can ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
Conclusion
To replace a time-consuming key entry system or increase security, an access control system is a solid choice for any building. On demand, authorised individuals are granted access to predetermined areas of the building via access control. Simple, adaptable, and scalable management are all possible with this setup.
Having an access control system in place has many positive outcomes. Protecting employees and giving managers insight into who comes and goes from the building is a double win with automated access control.
Not only doors and gates, but also parking gates, turnstiles, high-speed barriers, and motorised fences, can be controlled by an Access Control system. There is a wide variety of third-party software and hardware that can be integrated with digital access control systems.
Some of these can be implemented in other parts of the business to reduce expenses and energy consumption. The newest facility management systems warn workers in advance about areas that will need additional heating or cooling. You can schedule access for specific people on specific days and at specific times with an access control system.
The system administrator can easily issue a replacement card and disable the lost card in the event of theft. You can rest assured that your building will be secure at all times with little to no effort on your part. Medical facilities, insurance companies, and clinics all use access control systems to ensure the well-being of their patients.
They are also useful for safeguarding paper records, hospital exam rooms, and even high-value equipment like MRI machines. With the help of an access control system, businesses can restrict entry to restricted areas to only authorised personnel.
Locking down part of a school, daycare, or office while leaving the rest of the building accessible to the public is a common security measure. Controlling who gets in is as easy as using a keypad, card reader, or even a mobile app. Businesses of varying sizes can take advantage of access control systems because of their scalability.
The proprietor of a business with a discretionary security system decides who is allowed to enter and exit at will. A card reader at a door ensures that only authorised individuals have access to a restricted area.
Mandatory access control is the most stringent type. The manager of a company can keep tabs on employees’ comings and goings using an access control system. It can protect your workers by keeping them away from potentially dangerous areas. Unlike traditional keys, these cards cannot be duplicated or misplaced; additionally, if a card is lost or stolen, access can be immediately revoked.
Content Summary
- An access control system’s primary function is to deny unauthorised individuals access to designated areas.
- Any structure that values security and wants to upgrade from a manual key system to something more convenient would do well to instal an access control system.
- Here are just a few of the many benefits that access control systems can bring to your buildings:
- Integration with a variety of third-party applications and solutions is a common feature of digital access control systems; some of these can be used to reduce operational expenses and energy consumption.
- Using an access control system, it’s simple to adjust permissions to let in new guests without jeopardising the safety of the entire building.
- An access control system can be set up to verify the identities of people trying to enter a secure area.
- Another great benefit of access control systems is that they keep a log of who entered and left the building at any given time.
- The most important benefit of installing an access control system is that it provides your building with the necessary security measures while still allowing for the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of your business.
- If you want to boost security at your company without disrupting daily operations, installing an access control system is a great option.
- Having an access control system in place can simplify the management of security in a number of ways.
- As a result, an access control system is beneficial for those who care about security.
- Access control systems are useful for protecting computer data centres and server rooms.
- With the help of modern access control systems, monitoring who enters a building has never been easier.
- Access control systems at universities primarily serve to regulate who is permitted to enter secured areas like parking garages and buildings.
- The religious activities of employees can be tracked.
- Not only do large businesses benefit from access control systems, but so do smaller businesses and even homes.
- There are three methods for restricting access:
- Under a role-based access control system, all users with the same role in the system have the same set of permissions.
- The owner of a company with a discretionary security system can decide who is allowed to enter the building at any given time.
- The most stringent type of access control is the mandatory kind.
- There are numerous benefits to installing an automated access control system.
- One major advantage is that only authorised users can gain entry.
- A manager at a company can track employees’ entry and exit times with the help of an access control system.
- Access cards provide a foolproof method of keeping tabs on who’s where in a building at any given time.
- In order to protect your employees, you can implement the system’s access control features to keep them out of potentially dangerous areas of the building.
- There are a variety of access control systems that use cards that can be activated and deactivated at any time.
- Making the use of access cards mandatory can significantly reduce the possibility of unwanted visitors gaining entry to the premises.
- An access control system is a more practical choice and an invaluable asset for any company.
- Businesses can protect their employees and clients with the help of a modern access control system.
