Access Control

Access Control - Protect Your Home

Here on this page, you can see our selection of products for access control at home or in the workplace.

Creating the perfect access control system requires a thorough assessment to ensure the right standards of security.

However, you should start by analyzing your individual needs, which should also include all the regulatory restrictions you have. 

With all aspects of your home or business included in your planning, you can start designing the system to be as effective as possible for the least amount of funds.

Many businesses and public buildings install access control for various reasons, such as:

• Data protection.
• Theft prevention.
• Protection of sensitive equipment.
• Restricted access to clean rooms.
• Restricted access to backup servers.

When designing RMF, risk management framework, your businesses will often be able to find a good access control system that best fits your business and situation.

Typically, businesses often delegate this task to experts in the field who can assess and recommend the best type of access control system for you and help set it up.

3 things to be aware of when purchasing access control

Different areas of a business often require different types of access control.

Access control systems often include a combination of the following components:

• Access cards.
• Card readers.
• Keypads.
• Lock hardware.

A good example of this could be a construction company.

Here they keep their heavier equipment behind locks with robust locking mechanisms and hardware, which is a good way to deter theft and vandalism.

Often, though, unless the on-site construction trailer stores smaller equipment, a simple lock will often be necessary.

An example of a simple access control system is utilizing storage facilities; a code or card is provided to the renter of the storage space, but afterwards it is up to the individual renter to ensure additional security.

An example of a business that requires better access control is financial institutions.

Here, every type of access control will most likely be utilized for different areas of the building:

• Employees will be asked to use keypads to gain access to main areas.
• When entering a vault, they must open the box with cards and card readers.
• Access is also further restricted to certain areas based on security clearance.
• Elevators restricted to certain floors, which is also based on security clearances.

Designing the most effective access control system requires planning.

Too much security, and the system ends up doing more harm than good, and too little security puts you at risk of loss.

#1 - System Integration

When planning an access control system, you should ensure to include all other types of systems that may be compatible in your considerations.

For example, you can incorporate video surveillance, alarm systems, security doors, and even elevators. 

By combining these into one platform, you can reduce the number of staff needed to monitor each system, thus utilizing manpower elsewhere.

This helps increase response capabilities and lower costs.

#2 - Room for Add-ons

Your security needs may change over time, and it is important to ensure that there is room for exactly that.

Whether you need to add extra users, checkpoints, rooms, or entire buildings, the ideal system will often provide a quick and straightforward option to integrate new items and systems, as well as eliminate those options that no longer function.

#3 - Access Control in Constant Development

Like all other forms of technology, access control systems are in constant development.

With or without wiring

One of the most common debates in almost all forms of electronics is whether to use wireless devices or not.

And like most other debates, it largely depends on the size of your facility.

Smaller operations such as single-story offices, grocery stores, and other small businesses, ranging from 90 m2 to 140 m2, can easily use wireless components without major problems.

Larger organizations with multiple floors, buildings, or completely separate locations may find the range limited for usage.

Wired Access Control

Most access control systems use electronic locks, often magnetic; they are connected to a central power source, allowing you to link a larger area that encompasses multiple zones, floors, and buildings into one single system.

This setup has many advantages: first and foremost, it allows you to monitor and control all doors in the system remotely, enabling both you and your staff to secure an area or grant access with the press of a button.

Additionally, components with wiring are often also more accessible and do not need continuous updates, as you might experience with wireless devices.

With wiring, you can also experience a faster and more uninterrupted signal, making data transfer smoother, whether it is from a door alarm, intercom, or video feed.

The biggest disadvantage of wired setups is that they can often be more expensive; especially if they need to be inserted into an existing structure.

Connecting all the wires into one box can even cost extra in some places if installers are not specialized in this.

Wireless Access Control

Wireless access control systems may not provide the same distance that wired setups can, but what they lack in range is offset in many other areas.

First and foremost, they can be installed in areas that are often too expensive and inaccessible for retrofitting.

Some commercial buildings often do not have the option to retrofit or replace their setups with newer versions of their existing setups.

In these cases, wireless access control systems  provide a comparable level of service, while also avoiding the regulations associated with the other forms of access control systems.

Another advantage of wireless access control systems is that they can be very cost-effective when compared to wired access control systems.

They will save you money by eliminating the need to lay cables and wires; thus, you save money on installation prices, as many wireless components can be installed in under 45 minutes.

Often, you will find that you save the most money on physical labor, as wireless installations typically cost almost 30% less than wired access control systems; it is of course important to mention that the unit prices themselves are very similar.

The biggest disadvantage of wireless access control systems is the cost of maintenance; much like computers, the software platform and its components require a significant number of updates.

On a small system with only a handful of components, this is often not such a big problem, but on larger installations, reliable IT support is a necessity, and therefore it is essential to keep up with various software updates and repairs.