What is access control?
Access Control is first and foremost a method of security that is put in place to restrict access to particular rooms or resources by allowing only authorised personnel to gain access. While access control can also refer to computing, this article refers to physical access control, which restricts which personnel are able to enter a designated building or room.
How do access control systems work?
In terms of what access control systems look like, such systems typically comprise of locked doors or gates that can only be opened using methods of identity authentication like biometrics, smartphones or RFID access cards. In essence, access control systems utilise technology to authorise access.
The importance of access control
The use of access control will significantly enhance the security of a building or particular room or set of rooms, as well as protecting staff and their possessions.
Access control is important for the safety and security of a building’s staff and possessions. Access control systems prevent unauthorised personnel from entering a building or room, allowing quick and easy access to authorised personnel holding the correct ID or biometric input data.
Are key fob systems better than traditional locks?
In the world of security, traditional locks have more or less become relics due to the overriding reliability and security benefits of keyless systems, which have become the go-to system for commercial, industrial, and retail properties and are rapidly gaining traction in the residential market.
Most of us are accustomed to traditional locks and probably find them to be convenient and effective, so is there a genuine problem with them? Firstly, it is worth pointing out that time waits for no man, and in security, this is truer than ever. Traditional locks are becoming a thing of the past, so advancements in security will mostly be focused on keyless systems. The question becomes “do you want to be left behind?” Whereas misplacing a traditional key can lead to costly locksmith fees, with keyless systems, you are the key. All you need is your fingerprint, smartphone or code, and you can easily gain entry.
Can access control be added to existing doors?
It is an important question as nobody would want the expense of unnecessarily replacing perfectly good doors. The good news is that access control systems can indeed be retrofitted, bypassing the need for major structural work. Such access control systems as those created by industry giants Paxton can be installed next to fob/card readers or biometric access control readers in order to create access control doors. Whether your existing doors are UPVC, aluminium, timber, or steel, all permit retrofitting.
Can access control systems track staff attendance?
While traditional time-clocking in systems relied on staff remembering to clock in and out, with access control systems that also allow for time-clocking and attendance, by entering their workspace, staff must have clocked in as it is automatic on gaining access. Not all access control systems track staff attendance, but those that do have been found to boost operational efficiency and reduce paperwork and disputes over hours worked.
