Friday, October 4, 2013

Why An Access Control System Is A Must For Your Business

By Burma Prusinski


An access control system is a technology that helps in controlling the entrance to a particular building, facility, or any secure area. Businesses and industries of all sorts have incorporated access control to make sure that only authorized people are able to access restricted areas. It is a good way of increasing not only the security of an area but also its privacy as well.

As compared to traditional lock and key system, computerized access control technology is more advanced in terms of keeping restricted areas secure. Since there are no physical keys to be used, locks can't be compromised because of key duplication. And since entry is usually granted by providing a password, passphrase, or PIN, it completely eliminates the problem of having lost keys.

A more advanced access control system makes use of biometrics, in which a specific part of a person is used as verification whether access will be granted or not. A biometric scanner can check the fingerprints or the retina of a person to verify authorization. Once identity has been verified, the access terminal will then release the electronic locks in the door or gate.

An access control system also helps to minimize the use of additional manpower for guarding entrance and exit points in buildings or facilities. It can also be used to track the work hours and activities of employees more accurately. The likelihood of fraud can significantly be minimized this way since there is less manual work involved.

It is important to get a general idea about the components that make up an access control system - the physical barrier, the access controller/reader, and the credentials. Entry and exit points such as doors and gates are secured with the physical barrier and the most common are electronic locks. Gates found on bus terminals and train stations often make use of turnstiles to secure entrance/exit points.

There are two options for an access controller and for smaller establishments, a stand-alone system is often used because it is less complicated to setup and all data is stored in the unit itself. On bigger offices, network or online-based systems are preferred since it offers more flexibility by using a user database. Credentials such as passwords, keycards, and fingerprints are used with the access controller.

There are also some possible security risks that an access control system can encounter and one of them is tailgating. This is when an intruder follows authorized personnel in entering a restricted area. Other risks include door levering, lock spoofing, and hacking. It is important to take these risks into consideration and ensure that they are properly and timely addressed.

A good way of leveling up the security of your establishment or facility is by combining your access control system with an advanced surveillance system. This way you'll also be able to keep a close watch over all your operations and not have to worry about whether or not your personnel are doing their job properly or not. It's a critical area of internal control you should not overlook.




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