The access control system is installed for vital reasons including Security enhancement, Information Protection, and Operational efficiency. We will be elaborating on more of these reasons within the article as well as discussing What is Access control system and its components, what are the different types of this system. and What are the best practices for installing it
What Is an Access Control System?
Access Control system is the system responsible for regulating who can get inside or outside a building or the premises of specific areas within it. It can simply be a locked door or a more elaborated biometric and cloud-based solutions.
Why Should You Get an Access Control System?
The purpose of the access control system is security and safety. It could be installed to enhance security; monitor activities, prevent theft or vandalism, track the users, protect information by securing data, and improve efficiency because it easily automates the process or ensures safety by simply.
What Are the Types of Access Control Systems?
We can categorize the types into two groups; physical and logical. On another note, they can be categorized by systems such as Keycard systems, PIN-based systems, Biometric Systems, mobile Access systems, Cloud-based Systems, and more.
Physical:
This is the system responsible for allowing people to enter a physical area, such as buildings, rooms, or facilities. It consists of hardware components like doors, locks, and surveillance cameras.
Logical:
This is the system responsible for the authentication and authorization process for online Networks. It consists of passwords, PINs, biometric scans, security tokens, or Multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires two or more authentication factors.
Here are the different system types of access control:
Keycard Systems
How it works: The user can tap or swipe a card in front of a panel so you can gain access
Pros: It is easy to use, and can be easily deactivated if lost.
Cons: The card can be stolen easily, which can lead to unauthorized users getting access.
PIN-based Systems
How it works: The user can set a PIN on a Pad and only authorized users can know it.
Pros: You can easily change the pins and you don’t need any physical cards or tools to access the system.
Cons: The access PIN can be easily forgotten or shared with unauthorized personnel.
Biometric Systems
How it works: it uses unique biological traits like fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans.
Pros: It provides a high level of security
Cons: It can be expensive.
Mobile Access Systems
How it works: A user can easily gain access through their phone, whether through a Bluetooth feature or near-field communication.
Pros: Convenient and can easily be integrated with other phone applications
Cons: It requires the phone to be with the user and it would be inconvenient in case of a dead battery or a forgotten phone.
Cloud-based Systems
How it works: It is managed over the Internet, allowing remote management and access.
Pros: It allows remote access, which is very convenient.
Cons: It can be expensive and it depends on the internet.
Magnetic Stripe Systems
How it works: The user swipes a card with a magnetic strip
Pros: It is cost-effective and very straightforward.
Cons: It is exposed to wear and tear and less secure than other methods.
Intercom Systems
How it works: The user could communicate with security personnel or a resident.
Pros: It has a personal verification method and can be combined with a security camera for a safer option.
Cons: It needs a present person and can easily be time-consuming.
Multi-factor Authentication Systems
How it works: It simply combines two or more authentication methods, like an intercom and a PIN Pad.
Pros: It provides more layers of security with multiple steps of verifications.
Cons: It could be complicated for some people, can easily cost a lot, and could be hard to implement in cases.
What are the Key Considerations Before Installing An Access Control System?
When planning to install an access control system, one must take into consideration vital factors that are crucial for the installation process.
Firstly, one must identify the security requirements for the project whether by assessing the threats or the needs of the place.
Secondly, one must choose which system type and which one will be able to satisfy the needs of the project.
Thirdly, One must make sure that the system is made following Regulatory Compliance to avoid any privacy concerns or data security issues.
Moreover, You have to cater to the user experience and choose a user-friendly system to avoid complications and problems regarding the users.
Additionally, One must choose a budget-friendly option, there are multiple options in the market and one can easily be led on by the most advanced systems out there, but it might be not the perfect fit for your project or more importantly, budget.
Most importantly, you need to choose a system that has excellent customer support that will work efficiently to fix any concerns and issues.
What Is the Best Way to Install an Access Control System?
After understanding what is access control systems, what are the main considerations we need to consider before the implementation process? Now, we need to understand how we can install this system and what is the best way to do so and the article will elaborate needed.
Step One:
After understanding the needs. We start the installation process by establishing the wiring for the system first.
Step Two:
After setting the wires, you can easily install the electric doors, locks, pads or magnetic strips..etc. This process could be pretty easy or more complicated than usual depending on your facility and the area that needs to be secured.
Step Three:
After installing the physical system, you need to set up the users, especially if the system is cloud-based or biometric. This step may take time according to the type of system chosen.
Step Four:
Conduct a test to see how everything is working and if there is something that needs to be fixed, then fix it and retest the system until it is running smoothly. This is to avoid any interruptions or system violations because of any hardware or software issues.
Step Five:
Monitor the system after installing the devices, updating the data, and giving access to your users. You can now monitor the system, keep track of the needed data, and manage the level of access.
Step Six:
You need to perform regular maintenance on the devices and the software to avoid any system crashes or real issues happening because of the negligence of the system.
How To Maintain The Access Control System?
In order to maintain this system, you have to take care of several things like the software; make sure it is updated regularly, power supply; make sure that the power supply is within certain limits, equipment checks; check the equipment for signs of wear and tear, rust and dust pile-ups.
You should also take care of the locks; make sure they are functioning properly,the battery; check the batteries for any power failures and replace it if so.
What are Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid?
There are common mistakes that could have horrible outcomes on the project. It is usually done out of lack of experience but it can cost you more than money.
Poor Planning:
A person can plan hastily and carelessly creating avoidable issues. One can mistakenly miscalculate and assess the needs of the project leading to an ill-fitting system.
Incompatible Equipment:
in relation to poor planning, choosing equipment that is not compatible with the system can lead to waste of money, resources and a malfunctioning system.
Improper Installation:
Similar to the previous mistake, unprofessional installation could simply lead to the damage of the equipment, the malfunctioning of the system or simply a useless system
Insufficient Training:
If the users don’t receive adequate training, they will simply misuse the system, leading to a lot of security threats on the system or simply a useless malfunctioning system.
Overlooking Privacy and Legal Compliance
This is simply a lawsuit waiting to happen, If one ignores the regulations and compliances, any issues facing the system leading to security threats could easily turn into a negligence case or worse.
Underestimating Costs
If one doesn’t calculate the budget correctly and take into consideration hidden costs and unexpected occurrences. This will lead to straining the budget and causing multiple financial issues that could easily shut down the project or take longer to use it.
There are a lot of hidden costs, such as maintenance, support, and future upgrades that should be taken into account.
Conclusion
If you are the owner of a company, building, facility, or else, you need to install a good access control system for the privacy and protection of your data and valuables. El-Buroj Company provides various complete solutions. We have a collection of control panels, readers, locks, cards, magnetic contacts, and more to tailor a security solution just for your project. We even provide different integrations with other systems, whether a CCTV or an alarm system. Lastly, our company provides test-out commissions to make sure everything is running smoothly. You can order anything you need through our WhatsApp service.
FAQ
Where Must Access Control Systems Be Installed?
The access control system should be installed at the entry of any area that needs to be restricted, including, but not limited to, emergency exits, storage areas, meeting rooms, server rooms, and offices.
What Is Required for Access Control?
There are three main factors that create an access control system; authentication, identification, and authorization.
What Are Access Control System Brands?
The best Access control system brands are excel, Rujie, ZKteco, Cisco, Nexan, Optimus, Axis, Eaton, Notifier, Avigilo, Dahua, HIKvision, Commscope, Hanwha, sapling, WISI, Rital, HID, DatWyler, BOSCH, and Honeywell.
In case you need different brands for your projects, El-Buroj can provide additional brands as well. Request a Quotation now.
What Are Future Trends for Access Control?
Recent access control trends include AI monitoring, touchless access and entry, multimodal biometrics, and mobile-based access control. The more we discover and advance in this field, the more we find trends and developments in the access control products.
Contact El-Buroj for Bulk Orders
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Jeddah Branch: Jeddah, Al Baladeah Street, opposite Siemens Ltd.
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