What is Access Control?
Hey everyone, Joe here, and today we wanted to answer the question “What is access control?” We get asked this quite a bit, as many of our CCTV customers are not familiar with the technology, its benefits, or what it can do for you. Before we get into answering ‘what is access contro?l’ there are a few things we need to explain first. Specifically, the idea of ‘total security’ via layers of security.
At home or a business, the first layer of security is simple and the same- locks on your doors and windows! Locks make it harder (not impossible) to enter into a location. When a person forcibly enters a location that was locked, this is considered a crime referred to as “breaking and entering”. Since locks aren’t a permanent solution to keeping intruders out, this is what we would refer to as a ‘failure point’, and will require additional layers of security in order to compensate for this failure point.
Now likely you’re already really familiar with CCTV since you are here on our blog, but in case you didn’t know our main business comes from supplying Security Cameras, and recorders. CCTV is closed-circuit television and is one of the primary layers of security one can employ to try and achieve total security. When we say total security, what we mean is a level of security that is achieved by having multiple layers of security technology working together, to eliminate failure points and blind spots, like the example above. CCTV fills out some of these gaps by allowing you to at the very least catch your intruders in the act and prove to law enforcement, and insurance companies that an incident out of your control occured. CCTV also acts as a mild deterrent, many thieves will see the cameras and just decide not to try.
However, even CCTV isn’t going to magically reach out hands and stop criminals in their tracks. That’s where access control comes in. So, what is access control? Very simply put, access control is a Security system made up of a combination of electronically driven locks, card and fob readers, Communication control boards, and PC software all working together to give you control over who can enter, when, and how. With Access control, business and homeowners have much more dynamic control over the printer and exit/entry ways on-site than ever before.
Security Camera King carries the hardware needed for Access control, but we want to point out that much of this really requires professional installation. After reading below and learning about all the great security options Access control can give you, we also suggest looking into trusted local contractors to perform the installation of any hardware you purchase.
The access control systems we carry can be made up a combination of electronically driven locks, card, and fob readers, Communication control boards, and PC software all working together to give you control over who can enter, when, and how.
Let’s take a look at some of the hardware involved and what we can use it for:
What is access control? – The Hardware
Magnetic Locks:
Magnetic Locks or Mag Locks are high powered electromagnets capable of holding from 600-1200 lbs of force shut. that means someone would have to use 1200 pounds of pulling power to rip the maglock open! That is some serious security. The devices are guaranteed to keep your door secure, even if large amounts of force are applied to open them.
Strikes:
Like maglocks, strikes are designed as a lock/unlock solution more advanced than a simple deadbolt. Unlike maglocks, however, strikes don’t rely on high-powered magnets. Strikes are mechanical devices that function similarly to an extremely tough deadbolt. The best strikes we carry are rated for 2200lbs!!!
AC BOARDS
Like a motherboard in a PC, The access control board is basically the heart of the AC system. All AC devices such as locks, readers, buttons, and even your network, communicate with each other via the board.
Readers – and – Buttons:
When you or another authorized person wants to use a door monitored by your AC system, they’ll need to interact with either a reader, or entry exit button. The readers come in a variety of purposes, designed to read Keyfobs, keycards, as well as accept pin numbers. The buttons also come in both push, and contactless varieties to keep a more sterile work environment.
Software:
From a local PC authorized for use with the system, you can set up and configure a number of parameters including your authorized personnel, scheduling systems for access, monitor and manually control any door locks or devices connected to the system, right over your Pcs network
Access control is an extremely important part of any functional security system. CCTV is important too because it helps you keep a visual record of events, but access control helps your prevent potentially events in the first place by limiting who is allowed in or out, all under your discretion. For more info on thi amazing tech, and how to achieve total security on-site at your location; Call SCK at 561-288-5258 Today!
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