Commercial access control is a security mechanism that manages access to specific areas, resources, or systems in your building. It’s a way to control who can enter which space, use a computer network, or access your sensitive data. Common components of an access control system, include:
- Hardware: This includes devices like door locks, turnstiles, card readers, and biometric scanners.
- Software: The software manages the entire system, including user profiles, access rights, and event logs.
- Access Cards: These can be physical cards (like employee ID cards) or digital credentials (like smartphone apps or tokens).
- Biometrics: These are unique physical characteristics used for identification, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans.
These systems work from three main branches: authentication, authorization, and accounting. Authentication methods involve verifying the identity of a person attempting to access a resource. Next access control systems determine the level of access granted to an authorized individual. Finally, they record and track all access attempts, successful or unsuccessful.
By implementing a commercial access control solution, businesses can do more than just improve physical security. In the following sections, we’ll take a look at the strategic advantages these systems can offer.