Access Control
Unless we want everyone to go everywhere and do anything in a building, we should apply access control to areas around a building. Access control can come in many forms of solution from mechanical to electro-mechanical to electronic security.
When access control systems are apply, users must present credentials before they can be granted access. In physical structures, these credentials may come in many forms, but identifications that can’t be transferred provide the most security.
Why Use Access Control
Access control enables you to control who has access to your building. Locks and keys also allow you to secure your building, but when keys are lost or stolen, the inconvenience and expense of changing locks or re-issuing keys can be significant. As keys may also be copied, creating even more security risks. All businesses, whether small, medium or large, have assets that need to be protected from thieves. It is common in premises with locks and keys for doors to be left unlocked all day. As a result, this opens the opportunity for malicious damage.
Electronic access control provides the most efficient and convenient way of securing your building and assets. Installing an access control system means that you will never have to change a lock again. However, once an access control system is installed, all doors controlled by the system will automatically lock when the door is closed. Everyone without a PIN or access code is unable to enter. Access control also gives organisations the security they deserve.
Types of Access Control
Audio/ Video Intercom System
An audio/video intercom system allows you to see and hear an individual before granting them access. Audio/video intercom system can be used as an initial or secondary level of access control.
Contactless Smart Card
Contactless smart cards are also known by other names such as NFC Cards (near field communication), Smart Chip Cards and Electronic Smart Cards. A contactless smart card is a storage device and once the card is held within proximity of a card reader, the card is then activated. The contactless smart cards can then read and write information onto the card itself.
Hand Free Access Control
NFC (Near Field Communication) needs to be activated within proximity before hands free access control such as smart cards can be used at a greater distance. For example, a delivery driver could activate the opening of a secure door without retrieving the fob from his jacket, just approaching the door would trigger the door to unlock provided the driver is authorised to go through that door at that time on the day.
Intellikey
The intellikey system can be broken down into two parts – the intelligent key and the intellikey controllers. The battery communicates with the controller within the door, then the controller can determine if access can be granted to the key. The key itself holds information about the assigned user which communicates to the controller via an invisible, encrypted infrared link. The controller can read and write information within the key according to usage. The controller also can grant or deny access according to limitations of time, date, location, time zone, day light and holidays etc.
Intercom Call Routing
If someone arrives at your office door and presses the intercom when you are out normally, they wouldn’t be able to get through to you directly. However, with call routing the intercom system knows to call multiple numbers that you have (land line, work mobile, personal mobile etc.) This can happen at once or in sequence to ensure that you can speak with the caller directly from wherever you are. Once you have verified who the caller is you have the option to grant them access by releasing the door from the phone you are receiving the call on.
Push Button Door Locks
Push button door locks are activated by pressing a series of letters, numbers and special characters. There are two main types of push button mechanical and electronic. However, both types can have a key override in case the code is forgotten. Push button is also the cheapest to install, and you will have to change the code manually on each lock when necessary.
Smart Chip Solutions
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card is a physical electronic permission device that is used to control access to a building. Smart chip can provide personal identification, authentication, and data storage.