What is access control security?
Access control is a method of security that restricts access to a place or resource by only allowing authorised members to access it. Physical access control restricts which personnel can enter a building or room, and computing access control restricts who can log onto a computer network.
Why is access control important?
Access control is important for the safety and security of a building’s staff and possessions. Access control systems prevent unauthorised personnel from entering a building or room, allowing quick and easy access to authorised personnel holding the correct ID or biometric input data.
What is the best access control system?
Cost-effective access control brands: Paxton. Pac ACT, to name but a few.
What is the meaning of access control?
Access control is a security system which restricts access to a place or resource to those with permission. Physical access control systems limit access to a building or room to authorised personnel only. Logical access control limits access to computer networks, files and data.
Why do we need access control?
Access control is needed to protect the overall safety of a building by preventing unauthorised entry, or to protect sensitive information by restricting access to a network resource. Access control security systems, both physical and logical, enhance security.
What is biometric access control?
Biometric access control is a security method by which a person is identified by their physical attributes, the most popular being fingerprints and iris. This allows ease of access without the need to carry an access control pass and prevents entry into a building by stolen passes.
What is door access control?
Door access control is an access control system which only allows entry to a restricted list of users with permission to enter a building via its doors. This secures a premise by preventing unauthorised entry, and protecting valuables and personnel in the property.
How do access cards work?
An access card works by sending an ID number via its internal chip to the antenna coil of the receiver. When held next to the electronic reader required for giving access, the encoded number is transmitted to the reader by radio frequency waves.
What is the main purpose of access control?
The main purpose of access control is to prevent unauthorised access to both physical and logical systems by only permitting selective access to authorised users. Physical access control protects the safety of personnel and possessions. Logical access control protects private and confidential information.
What is a door access system?
A door access system is an access control system which controls who can enter through a building door. Those who have permission to do so are given a key fob or access card, or have their biometric data authorised, which, when presented, unlocks the door.
How do access control systems work?
An access control system is an electronic system which works in a network. This network consists of readers which connect to a central point. Together, these controls determine who can enter a building, only allowing those with the authorised ID code to enter.
How does a key card work?
A key card works by storing data on itself, which is transmitted to the reader. If the card has an authorised ID number, the access control system will allow the user to enter the building by unlocking the door of the building.
Why do we need access control?
Physical access control is needed to prevent unauthorised entry into a premise, which protects the personnel and possessions of a building. Logical access control protects confidential information, which is only accessible by those with the correct login credentials.
How do you install an access control system?
- Install the sensors at points where users will be required to present authentication.
- Install the main controller at a central point to connect all the sensors. This can be either wired or wireless.
- Configure the system using the software provided by the manufacturer to create a list of authorised personnel.
How do you install a biometric access control system?
- Step 1: Install the biometric unit on the wall or where you wish for the user to have access granted
- Step 2: Install the control panel and connect to the biometric unit either by cable or wireless
- Step 3: Configure the access control system and create a list of authorised biometric data.
What is the price of a biometric access control system?
Reader-only hardware prices do not represent the cost of an installed biometric access-control system. A quotation should account for the selected biometric modality and reader, controllers, door hardware, power, cabling, software, enrolment, integration, commissioning and data-protection requirements.
What is electronic access control?
Electronic access control enables a user to enter a premise without the use of a key, but instead, a hard device that requires the user to be authorised to enter the building… The access control system unlocks the door when the user is granted permission after providing the correct credentials. The door is only unlocked for a limited amount of time.
What is CCTV access control?
CCTV can be integrated with access control so that security teams can review video alongside credential events. Analytics or facial-recognition functions may assist identity checks, but they do not ensure that a credential belongs to the person presenting it; accuracy depends on the equipment, enrolment, lighting, camera position, thresholds and review process. Any biometric processing also requires an appropriate data-protection assessment and controls.
How to integrate access control with CCTV:
- Install an IP camera in view of access points
- Install video analytics software and set up facial recognition
- Install software to merge access control software and CCTV software
- Using facial recognition, they identified the user of the access control device, ensuring that they are the user is linked to it. This will prevent unwanted entry from those using lost or stolen cards or key fobs.
What cable is used for access control?
Composite cables are used for access control installations. Composite cables allow for the connectivity of all access control components, including card readers and door locks. These cables are commonly used on most building sites.
What is an access control point?
An access control point is a point at device is required to permit authorised personnel access to a premise. Examples include biometric reader or card reader placed next to and connected to an electronic door, which unlocks when authorised personnel provide correct credential information.
How to install a card access control system:
- Step 1: Install card readers at access points where users will be prompted to present their access.
- Step 2: Configure the system and create a list of users authorised to enter the building.
- Step 3: Issue access cards to users with permission to enter the building.
How to install an electric door release access control system:
- Step 1: Choose the access control device type, choices being: entry phone, biometric reader, access card, key fob.
- Step 2: Plan and install access points with the appropriate reader type
- Step 3: Configure the system and create an access control list
- Step 4: Issue access devices to users with permission to enter
How to install Paxton access control:
- Step 1: Choose Paxton authentication device & reader type
- Step 2: Plan and install at appropriate access points
- Step 3: Connect to the control panel either wirelessly or wired
- Step 4: Install Paxton Net2 Access software to manage user rights
- Step 5: Issue authentication devices to authorised personnel
What is Net2 access control?
Net2 is a PC-based access control software produced by the access control manufacturer Paxton. The solution allows for the centralised administration of larger sites of up to one thousand doors and fifty thousand users. It includes advanced features such as IP camera integration to enhance building security.
How to use Net2 access control:
Net2 is installed on a PC and is then used to control Paxton access control equipment.
Users and doors can be added or removed from the system. More advanced features include integrating with CCTV to enhance the security of access control.
How to install Net2 access control:
- Step 1: Download software from the Paxton online portal for installers, or load the DVD onto the computer drive.
- Step 2: Select the version you wish to install, which is suitable for your access control device type.
See the Paxton Net2 installation note.
What access control software?
Access control software manages the installed access control system of a building, managing the doors of the building and the permissions of users. For example, the leading manufacturer, Paxton, offers Net2 software as a software solution to manage their Paxton access control products.
What is wireless access control?
Wireless access control is an access control system which employs a wireless access point or router, which allows for wireless communication between locks and wireless devices in an access control system.
What is vehicle access control?
Vehicle access control enables the efficient passage of authorised vehicles. A tag is installed into the vehicle, which is detected by the barrier, which subsequently allows the passage of the car by opening an access gate.
What is proximity access control?
Proximity access control is a method of security which involves the use of a reader and access card/fob. When held near the reader, a radio wave with an ID number is emitted. If the code is correct, the electronic door unlocks temporarily to allow access.
What is an automated access control system?
An automated Access control system will automatically restrict access to areas dependent on the credentials supplied by the user.
How to work a door access control system:
The door access control system works by having a card or biometric reader installed next to a door. The reader processes the data on the credentials. If this matches the data on the ACL, a request is sent to the server to unlock the door.
Why choose a door access control system?
A door access control system secures a premise from unwanted entry, keeping personnel and inventory safe, and reducing the risk of theft. The owner of the building or employer can also track the activity of those entering and leaving the premises.
What are access control devices?
Access control devices work as part of an access control system to secure a building by only admitting authorised personnel to enter. Examples of access control devices include: security barriers, entry phone systems, key fobs, card access, and biometric access readers.
What are access control technologies?
Access control is a method of security which limits access to a space by only allowing those with permission to enter. Examples of physical access control technologies include:
- Entry phone,
- Card access,
- Key fobs
- Barriers,
- Bollards
What is an ANPR camera?
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera uses optical character recognition technology to read vehicle registration plates, allowing systems to monitor the movement and location of vehicles. These are commonly used in car parks to issue parking tickets, and on motorways for the issuing of speeding tickets.
What is ANPR technology?
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology is used to read vehicle plate numbers, from an ANPR camera installation. It can be used for many purposes, such as granting parking tickets in a car park or preventing crime by tracking vehicles.
What is ANPR parking?
Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR technology can be used by car park companies to issue car park tickets. The ANPR camera identifies the number plate of the car entering the car park. When the vehicle leaves, a ticket can be issued to charge according to the duration the vehicle has been parked for.
What is biometric authentication?
Biometric authentication is a method of security used in access control and identification. Biometrics are the measurements of human characteristics such as facial recognition, voice patterns, and iris recognition. If the individual’s biometric data matches that in the database, they will be granted entry into a building or passage through a barrier.
What is a biometric input?
A biometric input device measures the unique characteristics of a person (iris, hand, fingerprint). The most common biometric input devices are computers and cameras. A biometric reader in access control is also an input device, which uses stored information to check if the person’s biometric data.
Why are biometrics used in security systems?
Biometrics are used in security systems to decrease the risk of unauthorised access, either from a stolen access hardware device (e.g. an access card or key fob) or ID. Biometric data is unique and therefore difficult to imitate. Examples of biometrics include: iris patterns, fingerprint patterns, and hand shape.
How much does a biometric fingerprint scanner cost?
A fingerprint reader is only one part of a deployable system. Current pricing should be based on the selected reader and controller, the number and condition of the doors, power and cabling, software, integration, enrolment and commissioning requirements.
How secure is biometrics?
Biometrics can reduce casual credential sharing, but they are not universally more secure than passwords, cards or fobs. Systems can face presentation attacks, matching errors and database compromise, and a biometric trait cannot simply be reset if its template is exposed. Higher-risk doors may require an appropriately designed multi-factor approach, supported by privacy, enrolment and fallback procedures.
What is a gate barrier system?
A gate barrier system is a security system comprising a gate which restricts vehicle users and pedestrians from freely accessing a place without presenting authentication of some type. Examples of barrier systems include vehicular gates, barriers and bollards.
How does an automatic boom barrier work?
An automatic boom barrier works by having the boom barrier bar or pole rise vertically to allow the passage of authorised vehicles to drive through. This either happens when a vehicle has been authorised to enter by ANPR technology or the vehicular user has printed off a parking ticket.
How does the turnstile access control system work?
Turnstile access control systems work by only allowing the access of one person at a time, allowing for one-way traffic only. The person walking through is only given access upon the presentation of the appropriate credentials, examples being biometric data, identity documents and access cards.
What are the disadvantages of turnstiles?
The disadvantage of a turnstile access control system is that it is easier for people to jump over or under turnstiles, therefore increasing the likelihood of unauthorised entry and decreasing security. Paddle gates are taller, and therefore could be an alternative.
What is iris recognition used for?
Iris recognition is a form of biometric identification using the iris patterns of a person’s eyes. This is commonly used in access control systems, used as a means of granting a user access to a premise provided that their biometric data is on the permissions list.
What is fingerprint biometrics?
Fingerprint biometrics is a method of biometric access control in which the person is recognised by their unique fingerprint data before being granted entry into a building or through a barrier. Other biometrics used in access control include hand shape, facial recognition, iris recognition, voice patterns and gait analysis.
How are access control systems supplied with power?
Access control panels can be mains powered or powered from POE network switches.
What is an access control list (ACL)?
An access control list in both physical and logical access control systems is a list of users with certain permissions. In a physical access control system, this would be users permitted to enter a building. In a logical system, this would refer to users with permission to view an electronic resource.
How to create an access control list:
For a physical access control system, an ACL can be configured by the access control manufacturer’s accompanying software
For a logical access control system, access lists are filtered by IP packets.
Where to find an access control list:
In a physical access control system, the ACL can be found in the installed software provided by the manufacturer. In a logical access control system, it can be found in a computer file.
How to backup the Net2 database:
Go to the server configuration utility, and in the database tag, click “Import copy”
Find out more on Paxton’s website:
How to update Net2 software:
Access updates on the software dashboard and then download installer files. Open this up and install new software.
How to reset Net2 Plus:
The Net2 access control unit can be reset in two. The user can reset the TCP/IP or ACU unit.
How to upgrade Net2 Lite to Pro:
Launch the installer on your PC and enter the product key for Net2 Pro.
How to add Net2 tokens:
Select the type of token you would like to add and then enter the token number. Select ‘Add’.
How to use Net2 card designer:
Net2 card designer can be used to create templates for access cards, which can then be printed off.
What is a tripod turnstile?
A tripod turnstile is typically waist-high in height and has three revolving arms, which restrict entry to one person at a time, and an access control system only allows the rotation of the tripod arms if the person has presented the appropriate identification or access pass.
What is the purpose of a turnstile?
A turnstile is a gate which only allows for the passage of one person at a time, which enforces one-way traffic and can be used in an access control system to only allow the passage of those permitted passage (e.g. somebody with a ticket in a train station).
What is turnstile software?
Turnstile software is employed to manage installed turnstiles. Turnstiles which only permit users on access lists will be managed on the software platform.
How does a turnstile gate work?
A turnstile works by only admitting one person to pass. The turnstile has revolving arms fixed to a vertical pole. Once the person has presented the appropriate access rights, the arms of the turnstile are unlocked, allowing the person to walk through them.
If you need entry phone installation, access control installation or any other security installation ACCL can help. Get in contact with us today.
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Written by
Wayne founded ACCL in 1997 and has led more than 28 years of project delivery, helping organisations design, install and modernise the network infrastructure behind reliable connectivity, office moves and refurbishments. His experience spans copper cabling, fibre backbones, data centre infrastructure, Wi-Fi, CCTV and access control. About ACCL
