Access control directs how employees, contractors and visitors gain entry and exit to and from your commercial site.

Access control systems are well worth considering as part of your security system upgrade. They are able to be fully integrated with CCTV and monitored alarms giving you trusted security and a clear picture of what is happening on your site whether you are present or not.

Benefits of business access control

• Security improvements

No more lost employee keys or worrying about potential security breaches when a disgruntled employee leaves the company

With an access control system, employee access to the building can be immediately erased from the system and completely withdrawn.

• Entry and exit records

Access control systems keep track of all entries and exits. Know when employees started work for the day and left at the end and who oddly came back at 9pm for half an hour.

• Access limitation

Access control systems allow you to setup people for different levels of access to the building during restricted times.

For instance, contracting clearers may be given an access code which allows them access the building between the hours of 7-10pm Monday to Friday, outside of these hours their access code will not work.

A part time telemarketing employee may have no business being on any floor other than level 1, thus their proximity card only allows access to level 1 of the building

Types of access control systems

Many access control systems are combining two or more access control methods for flexibility and additional levels of security. e.g. A proximity card pad with finger print access control

• Proximity card access control

Currently the most common type of access control system for commercial applications. Unlike old technology swipe card systems which require the magnetic strip to pass through the reader, proximity cards only need to be waved over the reader to work.

Ideal suited to both small, medium and large business applications

• Keypad access control

Keypads and an extremely popular method of access control, they require numerical passwords that are used for keyless entry. Multiple passwords including temporary passwords can be programmed for flexibility.

Best suited for small to medium sized businesses

Biometric access control

A sub-catagory of access control that utilises a part of human body for identification. This includes finger print scanning, voice recognition, iris scanning, facial scanning. The trend in popularity is a move towards non invasive biometrics which require zero physical contact with person and scanner.

• Finger print scanning

Fingerprint scanners are well tested, fast and one of the most reliable biometric access control systems in the market at present. Finger print scanners come with attendance software which operates like a detailed punch card for employees. Fully integratable with burglar alarms, finger printer scanners are best suited to smaller and medium sized operations

• Iris scanning

Not to be confused with retina scanning which is an entirely different process. Iris scanning seems a bit futuristic though is already being applied in access control by high end hotels, leading airports and other forward thinking businesses

While still at the premium pricing end of the biometric access control market, iris scanning is quickly gaining popularity for it’s high data capturing ability and non intrusive nature.

Ideally suited for medium to large businesses

• Facial scanning

Facial scanning is extremely accurate with a low error rate and lightening fast speed. Costs are currently high for this for this newer biometric, although as prices steadily decrease it is sure to be a favored method of access control.

Best suited for medium to large operations

•  Voice recognition

While there are a number of voice recognition access control products on the market many security professionals feel their reliability is not yet high enough when compared to other biometric access control alternatives.

As interest and demand is high, access control hardware companies are continuously improving voice recognition technology, it will not be long before voice recognition access control products are as reliable as finger print scanners.

Summary

A growing number of New Zealand businesses are now installing access control systems to improve site security and employee time record keeping.

The biometric access control business is focusing on the continued development of less invasive methods of scanning.

While keypad and fingerprint scanners systems remain the most popular in the NZ market, we can expect to see more voice and facial recognition technologies jostling for better position.

The post Business Access Control Systems appeared first on Security Search - Home and Commercial Security.

Access control at is most basic is an electronic system that is a modern alternative to traditional lock and key entry. Your access control method dictates how people gain entry and exit your home.

Ten years ago only commercial premises used access control systems. However as prices have come down many modern homes are taking extra steps to improve home security and entry/exit convenience by installing different forms of access control.

Benefits of home access control

• Convenience

Keyless entry for your car is great, why not for your house too, never forget your house key or lock yourself out

• Security

Need to provide a contractor access to your home for a kitchen renovation? No problem, issue them with a temporary password which can even be set to work within certain hours No more worrying about multiple keys to your front door in the hands of dozens of different contractors.

• Monitoring

Detailed entry and exit records, want to know what time your teenager got home on Saturday night?

Types of home access control systems

• Key pad access control

Operates using numerical passwords to gain entry, all members of the household can set their own passwords to allow for easy identification.
 
Temporary passwords can also be issued to visitors/trades people who need to have access for a short periods of time.
 

• Fingerprint access control

Access is granted by use of quick scanning of a finger print. Many finger print access control systems also combine a pin key pad for fully integrated access control

• Proximity card access control

Though seldom used in residential applications, proximity cards work by waving them over the reading sensor, cards can easily be erased from the system if lost of stolen

Home biometric access control

Biometric access control is defined as an access control system which uses a particularly part of the human body to be identified by a scanner. Common forms of biometric access control include fingerprint, iris/retina, voice, facial.

However at this time only fingerprint biometric access control is commonly used and installed in New Zealand homes.

Access control prices

• Key pad access control

The most cost effective method of home access control, entry level systems can cost as little as $800 installed. Installation includes wiring of the key pad and of the electronic dead bolt door lock

• Fingerprint access control

In recent years fingerprint access control costs have come down in price, partially entry level systems which are best suited for residential use. $1000 can get your standard door lock replaced with a professionally installed finger print only reader and electronic dead bolt system.

Summary

Home access control systems provide improved security, convenience and entry/exit records.

Currently both keypad and fingerprint access control systems offer the best value and reliability for New Zealand homes.

The post How Home Access Control Systems Improve Security appeared first on Security Search - Home and Commercial Security.