An access control system decides who may pass through a controlled point. A credential such as a card, fob, phone or code is presented at a reader, a controller checks it against a permission list, and a lock releases if access is allowed. Every decision can be logged.
Access control is not the same as a lock. A key is copied and a lock does not record who used it. An access control system can issue and revoke credentials, schedule access by time and area, and keep an audit trail.
The parts of a system
Most systems share the same structure: a reader, a controller, a lock and a management platform. The reader takes the credential, the controller makes the decision, the lock performs it, and the platform manages users and records events.
- Credential: card, fob, mobile phone, PIN or biometric.
- Reader: the device that reads the credential at the door.
- Controller: the decision point, often at the door or on the network.
- Lock: electric strike, magnetic lock or electronic lockset.
- Management platform: users, permissions, schedules and reports.
Hosted and on-premise systems
A hosted system puts the management platform in the cloud, which makes multi-site administration and remote changes easier. An on-premise system keeps the server in the building, which some sites require for network or policy reasons.
The right choice depends on who administers the system, how many doors there are, and what the site’s IT policy allows.
What to plan before installation
Access control touches doors, networks and people. The plan has to cover which doors are controlled, who needs access and when, what happens during a power failure, and how the system integrates with video and alarms.
- Which doors and areas are controlled, and which remain free egress.
- User groups, schedules and the process for issuing and revoking credentials.
- Fail-safe or fail-secure behavior for each door, decided with life safety in mind.
- Integration with video, intrusion and building systems.
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