Access Control is a matter of whom, where,
when and what for. An access control system
determines who is allowed to enter or
exit, where they are allowed to exit or
enter, and when they are allowed to enter
or exit. Historically this was partially
accomplished through keys and locks.
When a door is locked only someone with
a key can enter and/or exit through the
door depending on how the lock is configured.
Mechanical locks and keys generally do
not allow restriction of the key holder
to specific times or dates. Mechanical
locks and keys do not provide records
of the key used on any specific door and
the keys can be easily copied or transferred
to an unauthorized person. When a mechanical
key is lost or the key holder is no longer
authorized to use the protected area,
the locks must physically be changed.
Access control systems like the name suggests,
allow you to control the access of visitors
and staff to office buildings, schools,
and other sensitive areas through the
use of ID tags, proximity cards, fingerprints,
scanners and keypads. Electronic access
control uses the power of computers to
solve the limitations of mechanical locks
and keys. A wide range of credentials
can be used to replace mechanical keys.
The electronic system determines whether
to grant access to the protected area
based on the credentials presented and
when it is presented.
If access is granted, the door is unlocked
for a predetermined time period and the
transaction is recorded. If access is
refused, the door remains locked and the
attempted access is recorded. The system
will also monitor the door and sound an
alarm if the door is forced open or held
open too long after being unlocked.
Sometimes the best way to understand an
Access Control system is to walk through
a typical use of the system. In access
control this typically begins when the
user presents the assigned credential
to the appropriate reader. The reader
conveys the credential's information to
the device that makes the access decision.
In most electronic access control systems
this is a highly reliable independent
control panel. The control panel is aware
of the current time and date and decides
whether the holder of the presented credential
is allowed access at this door at this
time and date. Whether access is granted
or denied, the transaction is recorded
providing a history that can be consulted
when questions arise about who was in
the protected area.
An access
control point can be a door, turnstile,
parking gate, elevator, or other physical
barrier where the granting of access can
be electrically controlled. Typically
the access point is a door and the access
is controlled through either a magnetic
lock or an electric door strike. Electronic
access control systems today range from
standalone single door controllers to
complex networked systems integrated with
closed circuit television systems, burglar
alarm systems and other building control
systems. The selection of the proper credentials
and readers the system features needs,
with the many choices available for installation
and implementation can require complex
planning and difficult decisions.
Contact
DGX today to help you define your needs
and choose an appropriate solution.Call
Today for a Quote!
|
Access
Control Systems
