Once you have determined you need an access control system and settled on the access control system model, there are other considerations you will have to make, such as locations that require access control, best locations to install the system, and whether you want to take on the task of installation or hire a professional. We will discuss some of these considerations briefly and then provide some thoughts on the best place to install the system.
What To Consider Before Access Control System Installation
When people will use it to gain access
When deciding where to insta ll an access control system, you need to consider who will use it and how often. If the majority of people accessing the building are employees or members, the system required and locations for installation will be different from the one where customers or vendors have frequent access.
How many people need to access separate levels
The number of people that need separate access levels will also determine the type and location of access control system installation. For example, if the building has multiple levels or departments that need to be accessed independently by different people, you may consider installing an access control system at each level or department.
How it will fit into other security components you have in place
An access control system should be well integrated into the existing building security system, and as such, it should be compatible with the current security system components, such as cameras and alarms. Furthermore, it may also be necessary to install additional components if needed, such as motion sensors or biometric devices. Additionally, access control systems can help reduce the risk of impersonation of authorized personnel by providing an extra layer of authentication.
Determine All of Your Necessary Access Levels
What access levels would be required, such as access to different areas of the building or specific rooms? Which personnel should have access to these areas and at what times? It is important to understand who requires access and when they will need it.
Once all of the necessary access levels are determined, you can move on to locating an appropriate system.
The areas of your building that need access control
All of the factors above will then feed into this consideration, what locations in your building you need to control access to? This could range from an entire office or suite of offices, down to a specific room, desk or cupboard. To ensure the right people have the right access levels you should use identity authentication such as biometrics, smart cards and PIN entry.
Common Places To Install Access Control Systems
Having completed making the right review and considerations, then it has to be decided in which of the following areas of your property an access control system needs to be installed.
Main Entrance
In most buildings, the route leading to the door is at the front of the structure and is open to all. But it’s crucial for office buildings, government buildings, and other commercial establishments to protect their main entrance by making sure that unauthorized visitors are unable to enter the building through the main entrance, this helps protect the structure after-hours. Every person and asset inside the building is protected thanks to the installation of Access Control Systems at the main entrance.
Rear Entrance
Buildings with name tag for a particular set of people are places visited rarely for specific purposes and should have access control installed there. These entrances are often reserved for authorized employees and vendor use, so it’s important to keep them secure.
Parking Spaces – A Garage Or Lot
To restrict access to the actual building, access control can also be placed at any entrance within the parking lot or garage. For its employees and approved guests, several commercial buildings offer designated parking areas. This is frequently seen in for-hire parking garages, but it can also be utilized by companies and facilities that need to restrict access to their parking lots merely as an additional security measure.
Elevators
Not all commercial buildings have elevators, but those that do can use access control to prevent those without the right credentials from entering specified floors. This allows you to reserve elevators for employees, suppliers, and VIP visitors. Additionally, it can prevent unauthorized visitors from entering certain floors or restrict access to them.
Restricted Rooms – Emergency Exits
An emergency exit is a door created specifically to assist people in leaving a building in times of crises, such as fire, robbery, disasters, etc. Access control systems and emergency exit doors work together seamlessly. It’s not the only goal of access control to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering a structure. In an emergency, it ought to make it easier for individuals to leave quickly.
Restricted Rooms – Storage Areas
A good means of inventory control is proper access control to storage rooms. Access control keeps track of who entered the storage room and when. This deters theft and also makes it easier to pinpoint who took an item if a discrepancy is noticed. With access control, storage areas are kept secure from unauthorized personnel who want to take advantage of the available items inside.
Restricted Rooms – Server Rooms
The server room is a sensitive area that must be kept secure from outside threats. Through access control, administrators can make sure that only authorized personnel are allowed to enter the server room. Access control also makes it possible to monitor who entered the server room and when, which helps ensure security protocols are being followed. Additionally, access control can help protect data stored in the server room from being stolen or compromised.
Access control can also be used in restricted areas of a business, such as an executive office or a research and development space. By limiting access to these areas, businesses can make sure that confidential information is not shared with unauthorized personnel who could use it for malicious purposes.
Restricted Rooms – File Rooms and HR Departments
Access control can also be used to protect file and HR rooms, which store sensitive employee records. By limiting access to these rooms, businesses can ensure that only authorized personnel have access to this confidential information. This helps protect employees from identity theft and ensures that their personal information is not shared without their consent or knowledge.
Restricted Rooms – Meeting Rooms
Why would access to meeting rooms be restricted? Meeting rooms are often used to facilitate meetings between important stakeholders and personnel involved in sensitive business transactions. By limiting access to these rooms, businesses can ensure that only authorized personnel are present during the meeting. This helps protect confidential information from being shared with unauthorized individuals who could use it for malicious purposes.
Types Of Door Access Systems
We have highlighted the key places that are good candidates for installation of an access control system. Typically, access control will be installed at doors in these places. Now we will briefly review the various types of door access systems. [1]
Manual Door Access Control
For manual access control, people are used for securing specific access points. People could be assigned such as doormen, stewards or customer service agents. They identify people who want to enter the premises and decide based on predefined criteria whether or not they can – for example, a person presenting a ticket before entering a concert venue. This is often practiced at highly frequented access points such as cinemas, theaters, zoos and theme parks where it is difficult to get information from people beforehand and identification isn’t required.
Manual door access control can be supplemented by intercom access systems to provide an effective barrier against unauthorized entry into secured facilities by using two-way audio communication to allow remote verification of visitors before granting them entry. These systems can also be customized with additional features such as video capture and recording for further security.
Mechanical Door Access Control
Mechanical access control is still commonly used today, although it has been replaced by electronic access control for the most part. It consists of various locks and keys which can be quickly unlocked with a manual key. This method doesn’t offer real-time monitoring or recording of entries and exits, but is often the preferred choice in applications where restricted access, rather than security, is the top priority.
Electronic Door Access systems
Electronic door access systems include the use of biometric readers, card-based systems, and keypads. These systems provide a more secure solution than mechanical access control as they can be programmed to allow or deny access based on user credentials such as PINs, passwords, durable cards, fingerprints and other biometric identifiers. Furthermore, these systems also offer real-time monitoring and reporting of entries and exits. They are widely used for access control in commercial, industrial and residential buildings. They have the disadvantage solved by mechatronic systems of having to manually open and close doors.
Mechatronic Door Access Control
Mechatronic door access control systems combine mechanical and electronic components to create a more secure access control solution. These systems use sensors, controllers and actuators to activate the lock. They are designed to detect any attempts to break in or tamper with the system and can be programmed to alert security personnel if an unauthorized entry is attempted. Additionally, mechatronic systems offer enhanced security features such as password protection and biometric identification, making them more difficult to bypass. With advanced technology, these systems can even be programmed for voice recognition or facial recognition. Mechatronic door access control systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their reliability and ease of use. They offer the advantage over purely electronic systems of being able to work in a variety of conditions and environments, from extreme temperatures to hostile weather. With mechatronics, you can also be sure of a system that is regularly maintained and upgraded for optimal performance. This ensures that security protocols remain up-to-date and in line with the latest industry standards.
References
- Installing access control systems – A step by step guide. https://www.security101.com/sanfrancisco/blog/installing-access-control-systems-a-step-by-step-guide