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Welcome to the Access Control section. Please use the Quick Links below to find information regarding your particular interest.
 
 
 

Quick Links
i. Access Control Equipment
ii. Access Control Management Systems
iii. Card or Tag readers & Door Controllers
iv. Access Control Entry Cards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Access Control Equipment

A simple access control system will include a unit to programme or allocate cards. The pre-defined parameters will be allocated to individual cards and will simply authorise or deny access to the respective cardholder.

Larger systems can introduce more facilities - including:

 
 
i. Access groups can be programmed to restrict individuals or departments to certain areas.
ii. A role call facility can be used to determine who is in the building.
iii. Time and Attendance.
iv. Graphical display of site status: eg. doors left open, doors that have been forced.
v. Time parameters that allow access to certain users or certain areas at certain times.
 
 

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Access Control Management Systems

The heart. A comprehensive system should offer you a complete security solution, whatever your requirements. It should offer ease of use with a modular approach to system design, enabling your system to be tailored to meet your needs.

The software should allow you to administer a network of door controllers and other security equipment. Designated personnel can then decide who is authorised to go where in the controlled areas and at what times.

Alarms could be displayed in a choice of different ways. Maps showing the layout of the controlled area can have dynamic icons to represent the hardware points on the system. Maps can provide the operator with an overview of the area or building and indicate where an alarm has occurred.

Systems can be administered on a local area network (LAN). Alarms can be filtered by division or by site. Some systems even offer building management functions, I.E. the ability to control and monitor a wide range of other equipment, including: Heating, Lighting, Ventilation, Cold Storage, Airlocks, Security Cameras, Fire Doors, Machinery, Perimeter Defence. All of which can be displayed as dynamic icons on a site map.

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Card or Tag readers & Door Controllers

Readers come in a variety of technologies and designs from coded keypads, magnetic stripe readers, proximity and smart card. Biometric readers can also be integrated into the system.

Readers would be available in a number of finishes and vandal resistant proximity readers are offered for the more demanding applications.

Door Controllers usually come in two and four door versions and can operate as stand alone units or connect to a network. The controllers can then interface with the access control software to provide the system management.

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Access Control Entry Cards

Access control ensures that only authorised personnel enter selected premises or areas of premises. When an organisation decides to adopt access control as a method of security there are a number of considerations. The main consideration will normally be based around the type of card technology to be used.

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Magnetic Stripe Cards

Magnetic stripe cards are the size of credit cards and use the same technology as cashpoint cards. The card information is stored to the magnetic stripe and is read by "swiping" the card through a card reader at each door.

 
 



i.

 Advantages

Magnetic stripe cards are relatively cheap. They are ideal for low security sites where there are lots of system users.



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ii.

Disadvantages

Magnetic stripe cards and the readers will wear out as they make direct contact when the card is swiped. Although this type of system is less expensive to purchase, the cost of replacing cards and reader heads is likely to make it more expensive overall.

Magnetic stripe is unsuitable for high security applications because the cards can be replicated with relatively inexpensive equipment.
 
 

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Proximity Cards or Tags

Proximity systems use cards or tags that are presented to readers to operate the access control. The card or tag does not need to make direct contact with the reader but must normally be placed within 5cm to 10cm of the reader. Proximity cards come in a variety of sizes but most modern systems use a card the same size and thickness as a credit card. Proximity tags can be clipped to key rings and can provide a more convenient and robust method of operating the access control reader.
 
 



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 Advantages

Proximity readers do not require direct contact; therefore cards and readers do not physically wear out. In the long term any additional cost associated with the installation of a proximity system will be offset by the fact that cards and reader heads do not require periodic replacement.

Operationally, the proximity system will read cards more quickly than magnetic stripe systems. This means less inconvenience to system users and helps maintain the flow of pedestrian traffic in busy areas.

Proximity cards are difficult to replicate and are therefore suitable for high security sites.



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Disadvantages

The installation of a proximity system is generally more expensive than a magnetic stripe system.

Additional or replacement cards are more expensive.
 
 

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Hands Free

Hands free systems are proximity systems, the difference being that they have an extra long reader range. Read ranges in excess one metre are available.

 
 



i.

 

 Advantages

Hands free can provide seamless, yet controlled access into restricted areas. It is particularly useful when system users carry goods or equipment through controlled doors.



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Disadvantages

Hands free systems need careful design and are not suitable for all layouts.

Readers and cards are generally more expensive than proximity systems.

When using access control cards for photo ID you can print directly onto the surface of the card. Hands free cards that contain batteries cannot be directly printed.
 
 

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Smart Cards

Smart cards are the next generation of proximity card and have numerous security applications. Having a much larger memory capacity than proximity cards and whereas proximity cards provide "read only" information, smart cards are a "read/write" device. This enables them to receive and generate information for a variety of applications.

 
 



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Advantages

High storage capacity allows multiple functions such as access control, time and attendance systems, cashless vending and IT network access.

Because there can be a two way flow of information, smart cards provide a mutual authentication that is more secure than a read only device that allows duplication.



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 Disadvantages

Users must be made aware of the amount of information stored on the card. Procedures for lost cards must be in place to ensure all applications are terminated without delay.
 
 

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Biometrics

A Biometrics system uses the person’s unique physiological characteristics such as the retina, fingerprints or palm prints to determine authorised access.

 
 



i.

 Advantages

No cards are required, therefore it can be considered more user friendly. No risk of lost cards falling into the wrong hands.



i.

 Disadvantages

Read accuracy and speed of confirmation are slightly less than a card based system at present, although this will improve. Almost certainly the future of biometric access control lies with non-contact technology such as retina identification. Currently there are still hybrid systems that use smart cards to store biometric (fingerprint) information for comparison/authentication.
 
 

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