An Overview Of Access Control Systems

An Overview Of Access Control Systems

Access control systems come in many different forms, but all have one thing in common: they grant permission to enter a building or system only when presented with a set of credentials. Access control systems are a great way to protect your premises and ensure your employees have the freedom to move around freely. They also help you to understand how your buildings are being used by tracking people in and out of certain areas.

Authentication

Authentication is the process of determining whether someone or something is actually who they claim to be. This is done using a variety of methods, such as biometrics and fingerprint scans, to confirm the identity of an individual. Access control systems use a combination of authentication methods, including proximity card readers and biometric reader technology, to prevent unauthorized users from entering restricted areas. They can be standalone or linked to a comprehensive software database, held on local controllers or in the cloud. A user must present their valid identification to the reader, which will then authorize their entry to a restricted area through the system database. This could be a standalone solution, a remote server or in the cloud, based on the user’s access level. Besides being a critical component of an organization’s security protocols, access control is a great way to track the time that individuals are in a given space or system, as well as limit their access at certain times of day and days of the week. These policies can be dynamic, allowing organizations to change them as their risk factors change.

Access Control Infrastructure

Access control infrastructure is the system that governs access to information, facilities and physical areas. It allows administrators to set access levels for employees, contractors and guests so that only those who need to see and use specific data can gain access. This infrastructure uses a series of authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users. These can include usernames, passwords, PIN numbers or tokens. Authentication is often combined with identification mechanisms, such as mobile phone codes or key cards. This is called two-step authentication, or multifactor authentication. Organizations with regulated industries such as banking, healthcare, nuclear plants and utilities often require strong access control systems. These security systems ensure that confidential information stays within the company, not in unauthorized hands. They can also help organizations comply with various regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and PCI. In addition, they can help prevent insider-threat breaches. They can also help monitor and report on employees’ movements at all times of the day.

Physical Access Barriers

A physical barrier can be defined as any obstacle or limitation that delays or prevents entry into a particular area. While many people view physical access security as an afterthought, it’s one of the most crucial aspects of any good security plan. Having physical barriers around server rooms and other sensitive locations can protect a company from potential hacking of equipment, unauthorized personnel, or other threats to its reputation, performance, and finances. In modern systems, physical access is controlled by software and hardware that translate an organization’s authorization guidelines into verification that locks and unlocks doors and barriers in accordance with those guidelines. These systems can be integrated with alarm systems to alert security professionals when unauthorized access is attempted at your facility.

Reporting

Reporting is the process of automatically presenting data collected from systems, as a result of the application of various controls, in an automated and visual form. It allows for more transparency, frees up human resources and helps in developing fact-based business processes. In terms of access control, reporting helps to ensure that only authorized personnel are granted access to building facilities. It does this through the use of policies pertaining to subject authentication, authorization and audit. This can be done by means of various credential formats, ranging from physical cards and fobs to biometric data like fingerprints, face or iris to mobile access cards stored in smartphones. It can also be accomplished via remote user enrollment and management features, enabling administrators to grant and revoke access without physically meeting employees or visitors in person.

Got questions about whether access control systems are right for you? Be sure to contact our access control professionals here at Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about what we can do for your property!

Categorised in: Access Control Systems

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