Everything You Need To Know If You Want To Control The Access Of Your Business

Commercial access control systems are a set of devices that prevent free access to certain protected areas. The system must restrict access to these protected areas using mechanical devices such as barriers, turnstiles, or electric lock-controlled gates. The access control system must identify the user and verify whether he/she has permission to access the protected area, activating the mechanism that enables access in case of valid identification. Users can be identified by various means such as personal cards, secret codes, or biometric recognition. Access control systems and providing security can provide additional functions such as time control, capacity control, event registration, people localization, etc. Depending on the complexity and needs, you can choose between autonomous or centralized systems.

In general terms, there are 2 types of access control:

• Physical
• Logical

Physical access control consists of receiving authorization to enter specific places, such as certain departments or areas of the company. However, logical access control allows the user or device access to particular computer networks, system files, and data. Access is usually granted with the help of a credential, either in the form of a card, fingerprint, voice or visual recognition, username, and password, etc.

When an organization installs a commercial access control systems, it basically does so with three purposes in mind. The first is to take care of people’s physical integrity; that is, to prevent them from attacking someone. The second is to protect the company’s information: databases, sensitive material, etc. Finally, it is done to guard the company’s assets, such as electronic equipment or any other goods sold.

Access control is a security technique that verifies the permission a person or device has to enter an area and to what extent. This function is found within a company’s identity and access management.

There are several ways to classify access controls: either by the dimensions of the space in which they are to be placed or by the reader’s source of information.

About the first option, the controls can be divided into:

1. Complex systems involving network operations intended for large industrial plants. Generally, they require the opening of more than 4 doors.
2. Systems for medium-sized commercial establishments where the opening of 2 to 4 doors is usually required.
3. Small systems intended for small premises or few doors. They require the opening of 1 or 2 doors.

Depending on the source of information used by the reader, the classification would include:

1. Card
2. Fingerprint
3. Facial recognition
4. A combination of any or all of the above sources.

Thus, different means are used to monitor and control the access of people to a facility. Decades ago, lock and critical systems were used; however, in addition to being vulnerable, stolen or lost keys represented additional costs for companies.

Then, the way the world worked and interacted with technology, and even the way crime attacked, changed, and access control migrated to more robust systems with electronic credentials or biometric identification to grant or deny entry to a building or property, which is why it has become a must in the commercial sector.