What is an Access Control System

Access Control Systems allow your organization to secure and restrict access to specified areas and places. These systems offer great flexibility, increased security, and traceability.

For example, on a large campus such as Apple Headquarters, User 1 may be allowed privileges to Buildings 101 and 102, Floors 2 and 4 of said buildings, Units A and C within them, and Doors 14 and 18. User 2 may have more or less restrictions or privileges than the former user.

These access related decisions are made at the management level and are implemented by a System Administrator. This administrator has access to add or remove privileges for individuals and track who is entering which doors at what times.

Access control systems are composed of four physical components, each serving their purpose: panel, reader, access-controlled entry hardware, and credential.

The access control panel is the computer, or brain, that makes decisions and verifies credentials. The reader acts as a middleman between the panel and the access-controlled entry hardware. Credentials are another way of describing the key between user and place. They come in a myriad of forms.

Some of the most common include physical or digital keypads, tangible objects like badges, smart cards or key fobs, various biometrics like facial recognition or retinal scanning, and NFC technologies like the Bluetooth from a smartphone or Ultra-wideband (UWB).

The system is segmented into three primary categories: cloud-based, server-based, or local hosting. This is based on how the information is transmitted between the hardware and software.

With local hosting, all information is held internally by the access-controlled door hardware exclusively. A simple keypad is an example of this and is commonly found on shared, commercial restrooms.

Server-based hosting requires an on-site computer server to store permissions and execute functions.

Similarly, cloud-based access control systems require a computer server but differentiate themselves by using off-site servers to store and draw their data from. Therefore, it is mandatory that the physical servers use Wi-Fi to connect to their on-site panels and readers.

What Types of Access Control Systems Are Best?

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Access Control Systems Installation

The installation process typically demands a team of professionals versed in access-controlled entry hardware, electricians for running power, and IT for cabling and database management.

Access Control System Examples