Security of the offices or workplaces is one of the top priorities for all businesses. Door locks are an essential requirement to ensure the safety of the place. Although there are different types of mechanical door locks, they don’t provide enough security.
The demand for Door Access Control Systems has increased in the modern world. It is because they are a better security solution for you. Door access control systems make life more convenient and help save money.
Small and medium business owners or households thinking of making their premises more secure should consider Door Access Control Systems.
Door Access Control Systems
Door access control systems are devices that manage and control the entry and exit of people. With an advanced door access control system installed at your place, you can control:
- Where you want to put security
- Who is allowed to access the area
- When the access is allowed
Door access control systems grant access to only authorized individuals while keeping unwanted people out of the secured area. They are a better choice than the mechanical key-lock system.
Comparison Between Mechanical Door Locks and Electronic Door Access Control System
Functions | Electronic Door Access Control System | Mechanical Door Locks |
Limit access for specific time and days | Yes | No |
Record of who used keys and when | Yes | No |
Ease in Granting Access | Yes, with a simple user addition setting in the system | No, you have to provide keys to every user individually. |
Ease in Revoking Access | Yes, with simple setting changes in the system | No, keys can be easily transferred or replicated. |
Automatic Lock and Unlock Features | Yes | No |
How Does Door Access Control Systems Work?
The door access control systems work on the use of radiofrequency identifications (RFID) also referred as RFID door access control systems in general. The system allows access to a person based on their identity verification. The identification of these smart door locks are of three categories:
- What the person has in possession (swipe card/key fobs)
- What information the person knows (password/PIN)
- Who is the person (biometric data)
The identification of the user is established through a simple process:
- Authorize: The admin sets the system to allow access to limited people as per the system’s data.
- Authentication: The authorized users present their identity verification tools.
- Access: The door is unlocked for the user to get entry or exit the place.
- Manage: Managing the security system by allowing or revoking access to new and old users, troubleshooting problems.
- Audit: Performing regular system audit to see if all the settings are in place and suspicious activities can be identified.
Basic Components of Door Access Control Systems
- Access cards/key fobs
- Access Control Keypads/Access Card Readers/Scanners
- Access Management Dashboard, integrations or API
- Electronic door hardware
- Access control panel
- Access control servers
You can also get the advanced version of door access systems, which comes with cameras and alarm systems’ additional security. Whenever anyone tries to unlock the doors without verified identification, you can capture them through the CCTVs, an alarm can be set off instantly, and instant mobile device notifications can be sent to you.
Types of opening devices in Door Access Control Systems:
- Stand-Alone Locks
- Proximity Readers
- Key Switches
- Keypads
- Biometric
- Intercom Systems
- Wireless Systems
Types of exit devices in Door Access Control Systems:
- Push Buttons or Push-To-Exit Buttons
- Door Push Bars
- Emergency Exits / Emergency Release
- Motion Sensors
- Delayed Egress
Types of locks in Door Access Control Systems:
- Magnetic Locks
- Electric Strikes
- Electric Deadbolts
- Magnetic Shear Locks
- Electrified Sockets
Advantages of Door Access Control Systems
With a clear understanding of what a door access control system is all about, Ighty Support can help you know all the benefits of a reliable door access control system.
No matter what the size of your business or the industry, reliable door access control security system will serve the following advantages:
- Safety. A door access control system lets you give access to only the person you want to enter your premises. You can restrict unwanted people from getting into your building or premises and avoid thefts/frauds.
- The convenience of Access. The door access control systems make life so much convenient.
- The same type of code/card can be used for opening multiple locks. So your users don’t have to carry a bunch of keys with them. For extra safety, you can set the levels of users. For example, if you want to allow only managers in the conference areas, you can do the conference room door settings to allow entry to only manager-level users.
- You can manage the access time of the verified people. You can set limited access times and days or allow full-time access. For example, you have employees working in day shift and night shift. You can set their access timings differently in your system.
- Save Money. The advanced door access control security systems minimize the need for security guards around the place. When you have many doors or users, you will only need a single key per user, saving money. Access control systems can also be united with lighting, heating, and cooling systems. Lights can automatically turn on when there are people in the area and shut off when they leave. You can also regulate temperatures when no one is in an area to save on power charges.
- Detailed Entry-Exit Records. An electronic door access control system enables you to see the record of who enters and exits a building or room and when. You can also see the duration for which the door was left open. You can guarantee people are operating when they are supposed to be. If theft or an accident happens, you know specifically who entered a specific area at the time of the event. The records of access control systems are very helpful in detecting unusual and suspicious activities happening around the place.
- Easily revoke access. Door access control systems enable you to withdraw access from anyone who is allowed to enter your place. You can change your settings and revoke access to the specific user ID. For example, your ex-employee hasn’t returned their access cards; you can still change your system settings to stop them from accessing your office. This feature is a major reason why the advanced door access systems are better than mechanical key-lock systems.
- Compliance with Security Standards. For protecting sensitive client data, there are several laws in place for businesses and organizations. Healthcare, finance, and any other businesses that store client data must get the door access control systems. Restricting physical access will help in protecting their client data.
Challenges with Door Access Control Systems
The door access control systems may cause problems at times, but know that the Door Access Control Systems’ security features are worth a few troubles.
- Access card or key fob is lost/damaged
- Forgot password/PIN
- Authorized user’s identity is not recognized
- The system not working properly
Most of the time, when you face any problem, you don’t have to worry much. Because of a few changes in settings, and with the help of the best door access control system installers, everything can be sorted easily.
Types of Door Access Control Systems
The door access control systems come in different forms. Based on their access control and server hosting, they can be categorized as follows.
Differences Based on Access Control
The access control systems are generally categorized into three types based on the method of control given to the administrator. You can choose any of them suitable for your organization’s requirements.
- Discretionary Access Control: The administrator or the owner has complete control over the security settings. Only the administrator can update the access permissions for all other users.
- Mandatory Access Control: The users are given labels that allow them limited access. The administrator is the only authorized user to control the permissions. But even the owner can only update certain permissions that are laid out in the system‘s parameters.
- Role-Based Access Control: The owner can predefine the users’ access permissions based on their roles in the organization. For example, the manager level and executive level users will have their predefined access to the system. It is the most popular access control method.
Rule-Based Access Control is an emerging advanced version of Role-Based Access Control. It gives an added feature of personalizing the access permissions. The admin can restrict the access timings of the users.
Differences Based on Server Hosting Options
The servers of your door access control system are from where the admins in control of the access permissions.
- Onsite: When the server is locally-hosted on your premises, the admin can manage the permissions from the server only.
- Cloud-based: The server is hosted on a cloud, not on any physical server. So the admin can manage controls and from anywhere through a browser.
- Mobile or smartphone-based: The admins can download the access control system application on their mobiles and manage the settings as and when they want.
- IoT-based: This system has smart machines/devices connected via a wireless network.
How to Choose the Best Door Access Control System?
As you have read above, there are many door access control system technologies available in the market. Though deciding the most suitable match for your requirements and budget can become easy if you use these tips:
- Count the number of doors that need security
- Count the number of users
- List your other basic requirements and technology preferences in the access control system
- Consult a professional company or vendor
Ighty Support can help you identify the best door access control system suitable for your requirements. Getting a Door Access Control System installed is important. But you don’t have to figure out how to install the system by yourself. Hire Ighty Support for professional consultation and installation. Call Ighty Support at 1-855-MY-DFWTECH today.