The conventional control of a secured area is the lock-and-key
system. The problem with this type of system is the key. The key
is a piece of metal that gives anyone access to a restricted area
without identifying that person. Keys are easily duplicated, lost
or stolen, and the cost to change locks and issue replacement keys
can be very expensive. Access control is a cost-effective solution
to this problem.
Access Control Considerations
- Type of area to be controlled
- Number of users
- Number of doors/gates
- Method of entry/exit
- Manual control of portals
- Access restrictions
- Temporary users
- Life safety issues
Access Control may be defined as supervised, monitored or electronically
controlled entry or exit to a specific area using cards and/or inputs
to an area that is secured. Entry/Exit is allowed only to authorized
users during authorized time periods. With access control, each
person receives a card and/or PIN number, which allows or restricts
access to a specific area at authorized times. If a card is lost
or stolen, or if the PIN number is no longer secure, the system
can be reprogrammed quickly and easily to eliminate that card/PIN.
An additional benefit of access control is the use of an audit
trail; this provides a report of all persons granted or denied access
to the secured area. A permanent record of all activity can be maintained
for history. CCTV can also record any activity to a controlled area
and complement the audit trail history. Access control with the
use of CCTV can make security management of a property affordable
without the high cost of additional manpower.
|