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Why Electronic Access Control?
Old-fashioned locks and keys leave much to be desired in anything
other than a domestic environment, because:
- Standard keys are easily copied
- Each person may require several keys
- Lost and stolen keys represent a major security risk,
requiring time and money to solve
- With a modern electronic system these problems are a
thing of the past
Electronic systems can provide additional security by
enforcing time rules, by raising an alarm in the event
of an unauthorized attempt to gain access, and by
recording all access movements, in and out, for analysis
in the event of later discovery of a security breach.
Is access control difficult to specify and install?
If the customer’s basic requirements are known, then the
choice of system can be quickly narrowed down. Basic
questions regarding the number of doors people will
usually indicate a particular system type. Some
customers - if they have an understanding of access
control principles - will be able to assess their own
risks and be quite positive about what features they
require, while others will require guidance.
Is there such a thing as Total Security?
Total security is something we can aspire to, but most
commercial organizations - as opposed to the government,
the military etc. - have to evaluate how much security
is appropriate to the risk, and this will inevitably
involve placing a limit on the budget. The best systems
are the ones that reduce the immediate risk while
allowing for non-redundant expansion as needs grow - not
just the need for more doors and more people but also
the need for more security. Unfortunately, we do live in
a time when each year, the risk increases.
The highest risk will be where there is a combination
of the following factors: an un-secured door, with no
people about on either side of the door, leading to an
area containing something of value.
How much control?
Once you have established which doors need to be
controlled, you have to establish how much control to
apply. This is rarely a case of “all-or-nothing” - where
any person with a card can gain access wherever and
whenever they want - and so it’s worth looking at the
various enhancements to establish which ones can be
applied:
- Access Levels
- Time Zones
- Card + PIN
- Anti Pass-Back
- Man Traps
- Alarms
- Point Monitoring
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