TIP Blog

Understanding the Features Available Can Change your Security System for the Better Access Control Systems

Whether you are searching for a basic control system for your small business, multi-tenant housing as a retailer, or multisite organizations, a common required trend exists among all: an advanced feature set and a large cardholder database. The basic management features that access control services can offer take you to the next level, but is the investment worth the product and service received? In order to keep up with the day to day evolution of technology in the world, access control systems must be managed. With these basic management features, security solutions are quite simple.

User Role-Based Authentication

Knowing who has access to what section of the building is important. With an access control system giving the ability to set these parameters upfront, creating a map or chart would be helpful for administrators to keep on-hand for security questions or issues with building access.

Role-based Access Control Regulates Access

Depending on user roles within the company, access can be granted or limited. Identifying roles for each employee through various methods, including keycards, guides this process. Import and Export Cardholders and Reports to and from Excel Spreadsheets Having the capability to easily add and subtract cardholders and reports to and from spreadsheets helps keep access control organized and consistent.

Security Personnel can View Live Access Events and Alarms

With a system in place, such as video surveillance, security always has live access to events. For example, if an alarm goes off in the building, they will be able to stream live footage from the building and understand the level of urgency involving the security issue.

Individual Access Control of Each Entry Point Through Access Groups

By grouping employees together into different categories based on access privileges, entry points of the building can all be predetermined.

Set a Card Expiration Date to Automatically Invalidate a Credential

Setting expiration dates represent a crucial access control feature because when an item needs a date range or limit, that information can easily be set.

Search Access Records by Entry Point, Cardholder Name, Card Number or Group

Managing entry points and periodically checking to make sure employees are following building rules is a best practice. But more importantly, searching records comes into play if there is a problem. Relating a break-in directly back to a cardholder name or group, makes determining the cause of the issue simpler.

Invalidate a Card Against Access Within Seconds from the Client Application

If needed, access control allows an admin to invalidate a card within seconds, which can be extremely beneficial.

Manage the System Remotely Off-site Through Secured Protocol or VPN

Accessing the system remotely may be the key reason for why managing access control services makes sense. Using a device, such as a smartphone, allows for an admin to change something within the click of a button. Let’s say that doors automatically open in the building at 8:30 each morning and a snowstorm occurred, enabling employees to make it to the office. The admin can easily lock the doors remotely.

Granular Cardholder Control Over Each Entry Point

Granular access creates access groups based on organizational units or group memberships to predetermine entry point ability.

Scheduled Access Control

The ability to schedule access control times hand in hand perfectly with access control services. Yearly, weekly, daily, hourly, you name it!

Scheduled Door Open Rules

Scheduling door open times, like 8:30 am Monday through Friday, saves resources on all ends. First, with automatic door unlocking ability, employees do not have to carry around a set of keys. Without keys, the business saves money and security levels become more effective; it’s possible for employees to duplicate keys. With a system in place, that chance becomes 0%.

Now that you understand a variety of the features access control systems bring to building security, what do you think? Do the features make sense? Access control systems will continue to evolve over time with the exponential growth of technology.