Parts Of An Access Control System

What are the parts of an access control system?

1. Access Cards
2. Readers
3. Hardware
4. Main Software

Access control systems are made for the security of your building. Whether you’re running a business or managing an entire office building, protecting both your assets and your employees should be a priority. You could achieve this by installing an access control system.

The parts of an access control system are designed to allow or restrict access to certain areas of the building. Authorized personnel will be able to control who gets to enter each door. It may seem straight to the point, but access control systems can offer more than that. A good system will let you monitor all activity — what doors were opened, who accessed it, when they entered and left the room, and other monitoring information.

Its usefulness also means that there are several components of access control systems that you should know about. Keep reading to learn more.

Access Cards

Access cards are the main authorizing components of their users. Instead of using keys, employees will use key cards to enter rooms. Each access card will be unique to each individual. They will be assigned their corresponding levels of access, meaning your ability to get in and out of areas within the building depends on your position. Access cards are easy to store and, for fully comprehensive systems, can be used for any part of the building.

The components that help you gain access are not just limited to cards. It differs based on the type of security measure you have. If you’re going through a door locked by a keypad, you would need either a PIN or a combination of a card and PIN. Sometimes, access is granted through RFID verification. This simply means you need to have the proper tag.

Readers

The parts of the system which scan your identification are the readers. These are devices where you use your access cards (or other credentials) on. In general, there are two main types of readers for access control systems:

Card Readers: These devices scan the access cards of all users. Since the main “keys” for access control systems, you would need readers to confirm authorization. Card readers can do this in several ways: by scanning a magnetic strip on the card, by using RFID technology, by using QR codes, and others.
Keypads: As you may expect, keypads are meant for codes and/or PINs. You input the code on the keypad to get access to the room. This is considered less secure because codes can easily be shared or stolen. However, some readers require multifactor authentication — they need both the code and a card to enter.

The types of readers will vary depending on the system that you are using and what you need for the building.

Hardware

The physical components of the access control system are important parts too. These parts are the ones that are doing the actual work of locking doors and watching over secure areas. A good access control system is one where the hardware and software work perfectly together.

An example of the hardware used for access control systems is the electric door lock. These are locks that automatically unlock when the right card is scanned or the right code is entered. They are the ones who keep your rooms secure from possible intruders and people who are unauthorized for that area.

Another piece of hardware of the access control system is the alarm system. Most access control systems also integrate all kinds of alarms: fire alarms, intrusion alarms, and others. The alarms themselves will alert the entire building of potential disasters and possible intruders.

Hardware includes several electronic parts, like the I/O board and controllers, that should be handled by professionals. If you’re installing an access control system to your building, make sure you install all hardware properly for better protection.

Main Software

The main software is the brains of the entire access control system. It’s through here that you can monitor and manage the entire building’s security. You can use this to issue commands to any part of the system like allowing lift access or locking down specific areas.

A completely comprehensive and integrated access control system like ELID’s Matrix V would have more features. It also has data storage for all transactions, activities, and employee attendance. Its graphic user interface makes it user-friendly, and it enables users to manage their building from multiple sites.

Key Takeaway

All of the parts of an access control system work together to secure your company’s premises. The access cards, readers, hardware, and software are all important, and missing even one could possibly compromise your building’s security. In the process of installing, it’s important to make sure all parts are functioning properly.

If access control systems are what you need, ELID is your best choice. We have been producing state-of-the-art access and security systems in Asia for decades. You can take a look at our products and contact us if you’re interested!