The term ‘Access Control’ is generally refers to a system that checks the identity of personnel to ensure that they have the correct authority to access either a restricted area (physical access control) or computer-based information.
For physical access control, there must be a way of preventing people that don’t have the appropriate authority from entering the restricted area, with a means of granting access electronically. This can be a door with an electric locking device, a turnstile, a parking gate or a lift. In most cases, this will be a door with an electric locking device and a reader.
The reader may be a keypad, a card reader or a biometric reader. The reader sends the credential details to an access control panel, which verifies the information against a database. If the credential is valid, access is granted by unlocking the door for a short period.
The access control panel may be linked to a computer, along with other access control panels situated around the premises. Access control software running on the computer can keep the access control panels up to date with the access rights of each person, and also keep a record of the doors through which each person has passed. This enables it to perform many other features such as recording time and attendance and mustering. This type of system is usually referred to as a ‘PC-based’ or ‘online’ access control system.
Modern PC-based access control systems offer a comprehensive range of additional features such as staff location, central door unlocking, door monitoring and usage monitoring.