Features

Access cards are currently the most popular identifiers in access control systems. You just show your card to the reader and you are good to go – simple as that. But when it comes to security, simplicity is not the only thing to consider. A little complexity adds value to the robustness of security. Fortunately, there are more efficient alternatives to access cards with higher levels of protection. These alternatives can be deployed on their own or used in combination to protect highly secure areas.

• An identity tag, such as a badge or an ID card. 
• PIN or password. 
• Fingerprints, iris scans, and other biometric identifiers.

Additional Features

• Compliance: Free from lock-in and compliant with third-party devices. Complies with all applicable laws and company regulations. 
• Supports Enhancements: Supports new means of communication such as cloud/mobile access and Internet of Things (IoT). Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, PoE, and other innovative wireless and wired technologies are supported. 
• Improved Authentication: Integration of biometrics, passwords, mobile applications, cards, key fobs, two-factor authentication, and other forms of authentication inputs are allowed.
• Advanced Security: The Logical protection enabled system is able to link to surveillance and other security devices. During transmission, the most up-to-date end-to-end data encryption is used. 
• Cost-effective: Backed by top-notch customer service, the system is simple to set up and use. Minimizes capital costs and is able to integrate with existing hardware.
• Configurable: Customize access conditions like zoning, time-based access, role-based access, level-based access, count-based access, and more.
  

  Benefits

  Regulatory Compliance

  Access Control Systems can ensure compliance for a range of industries. When filing compliance reports, companies that handle sensitive data such as patient healthcare records, banking financial reports, or credit card details must deal with audit requirements in the access control room. HIPAA health data laws must be followed by hospitals, physicians’ offices, and health insurance providers. PCI credit card data regulations apply to banks, insurance firms, and any other company that accepts and processes credit cards. 

  Stringent Security

  Any organization that wants to uphold SOC2 cybersecurity standards, including SaaS providers and data centers can benefit from access control systems. Software developers, entrepreneurs, startups, and pharmaceutical firms, for example, must not only monitor who enters into their buildings but also which places they are able to enter. 

  Seamless Scalability

  Access Control security is a fully scalable system capable of growing with your company. The system can be scaled in accordance with your security requirements, budget, and size of the company. There’s more to access control systems than just access cards and verification points. Regardless of your company’s size, unmonitored operations inside your organization can lead to all sorts of issues. From various device options and controllers to a wide variety of readers and passwords, Access Control Systems use a number of factors to grant access to the right person, no matter how many employees are part of the organization. 

  Why does Authorization Remain a Challenge?

  Authentication is used to check if someone is who they really say they are. Authentication isn’t enough to protect data. It’s very easy for fraudsters to forge their identity and disrupt operations. What’s required is an additional level of security called authorization, which determines whether a user should be allowed to access the data or enter a vicinity. Most businesses have mastered the art of authentication by now. Particularly now that multifactor authentication and biometric-based authentication are becoming more popular. 

  Authorization and Authentication for Iron-Clad Security

  As a result of high-profile data breaches resulting in the sale of stolen password credentials on the dark web, security professionals have become more aware of the importance of multi-factor authentication and the need for authorization. Security professionals continue to make mistakes in the field of authorization. For instance, determining and continuously monitoring who has access to which data services, how they should be able to access them, and under what conditions they should be given access can be difficult. Inconsistent or unreliable authorization protocols, on the other hand, can lead to security flaws that must be detected and fixed as soon as possible. Access control combines both authentication and authorization to give you better data about when and where people are entering your facility and how they are using it.

  Why Integrate Access Control?

  Physical keys are the most basic form of physical access control and are used by many smaller businesses. Mechanical keys, even for a small business, have many weaknesses and limitations especially when a company grows larger. Switching to access control eliminates the need for physical keys and makes entry more secure. Additionally, physical keys have many more drawbacks. The following are only a few of the issues that may arise when using keys:

  People lose keys

  If a key is missing, you must change the lock to ensure that the lost key cannot be used. Then you’ll need to give out new keys to anyone who wants to use that room. 

  There is no audit trail for keys

  You can’t tell whether and when someone has used a key, so you don’t know who or when they accessed the location. 

  It’s difficult to keep track of keys

  If an employee needs to get into a lot of different buildings and spaces, they’ll need a lot of keys, which are cumbersome to hold and use. It can be difficult to remember which key goes with which lock. Labeling them poses too much of a security risk.

  Choosing the Right Access Control System

  In the physical-security domain, the technology landscape is rapidly evolving. This can be perplexing for companies thinking of installing one, but if they take it step by step, they can get an efficient system in place. Every mode of identification has its own pros and cons, so picking the ‘right’ mode can vary based on the business context. For example, you could use one technique for external doors and another to secure internal spaces like the storage area of accounts or contracts. You can also improve your protection by combining two or more methods of identification. This is called verification, where you use the first approach to identify yourself, and the second to confirm that you are who you say you are. For example, you could ask people to identify themselves using their ID card, then ask for a PIN or use their fingerprint for verification.