Security risks and threats often make headlines, even more so if it’s an established organization that has had a breach. There is so much at stake for an organization which includes is reputation and business as a whole. There are security threats to both the virtual property as well as physical property. There is a need for a foolproof system to block individuals from unauthorized access to both these areas of an organization. In this article we will limit our discussion to controlling access to physical boundaries of an organization or a company, also we will consider the various types of access control systems that could be easily available for an organization to install and use.
Why do you Need the Use of Access Control?
The need to control that, where and when access areas of the organization are key to keeping security under control. Mechanical locks and keys are associated with restricting and allowing people from specific areas, the challenge around this is that it can be easily copied, lost or miss-managed. Access control ensures these areas are limited in error.
Various Methods of Access Control System That You Can Use for Your Domestic and Commercial Use
Keyless Swipe Card: Swipe cards seem to be the most widely used method of access control system today, for one it is less expensive on the day to day business needs and modifications. A card with a magnetic strip is provided access to an individual in the organization and his time stamp of entry and levels and areas of access can be regulated by a software program. On swiping his card in, he is allowed access to movement, the readers for such cards may be placed on the door or other barriers of movement.
Biometric Scanner: A more science fiction type of method that is employed in some organizations is the biometric scanners. Here a digital scanner and reader are enabled to scan and recognize an individual’s fingerprint retinal patterns. There are equipment’s to recognize the entire palm or even the voice of an individual. These types of access control system are generally expensive and get complicated if there is bug or repairs involved.
Password or Keypad Systems: Users or employees are provided with keywords or passwords that are unique and confidential. This access control system is generally hard to tamper since there is nothing that can be stored unless of course the password is shared and not kept confidential.
Smart Cards: This system of access control is a bit similar to the swipe cards; here the difference is that the technology used is not of a magnetic strip, but that of an electronic chip. The unique identity of an individual is stored in the chip and is available to access points to provide permission for movement.
The way of access control systems is to work with a simple fundamental requirement. There is a need to have a central unit that has programmed computer software that has a database of who is allowed access and where they are allowed. There is a need to define the levels of access, while one individual may get a higher degree of access for the kind of work he is involved with or responsibilities he possesses, there may be a need to restrict some individuals from accessing areas of sensitivity. Next readers and sensors at various points of the building must be installed. These reader units will enable the central program to capture the time, location and person requesting access. Please ensure that all access control systems are appropriately ordered after completing a proper study of what is required and available locally.