What is access control?
Access control manages and regulates entry to physical areas or resources. Learn more in our guide below
How does access control work?
Access control grants and restricts access permissions to authorised personnel, usually via a physical credential, such as a fob or card, or using biometric technology. Access control systems authenticate and authorise users based on the specific permissions set by an organisation or company. Access is usually granted by the unlocking of doors or disabling of alarms. Most access control systems include monitoring capabilities to track and record access activities. This can include logging entry and exit times, capturing images or video recordings of individuals, and generating audit trails to maintain a record of access. Access control systems may incorporate additional security measures to enhance protection, such as multi-factor authentication and time-based access restrictions. Access control systems can be tailored to suit the requirements of a building or company, accounting for size, number of people and complexity of access permissions.
Why is access control important?
By ensuring only authorised personnel has access to assets, confidential data or protected areas, it limits the security risk, mitigating the potential for damage, theft or misuse. Access control is important in the safeguarding of personal information, by restricting access to sensitive data only to authorised personnel, access control helps maintain confidentiality and prevents unauthorised disclosure. In addition, access control systems can improve employee safety by limiting access to potentially dangerous areas, such as hazardous zones or high-security areas. By preventing unauthorised personnel from entering these locations, workplace accidents can be minimised.
Many industries are subject to regulatory requirements and compliance standards. Access control helps companies meet these obligations by enforcing access restrictions, maintaining audit trails, and demonstrating strong security protocols.
Access control systems can also help to streamline operations and improve efficiency. By assigning access permissions based on roles and responsibilities, organisations can ensure that individuals have instant and approved access to the resources they need to perform their role, while preventing unnecessary access requests.
The auditing and logging capabilities of access control systems enable building managers to track and monitor access activities. This creates an audit trail that can be used for investigations, compliance audits, and accountability purposes. It helps identify potential security breaches, trace the source of unauthorised access, and hold individuals accountable.
Finally, access control systems, such as those from ASSA ABLOY are designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing access privileges to be adapted as needed. This is particularly valuable in commercial settings where employees change roles, general staff turnover, or contractors need temporary access. Access control systems can be easily adjusted to accommodate these changes, ensuring that access remains aligned with the organisation's evolving needs.
What are the benefits of access control systems?
Implementing an access control system has numerous advantages for building owners and users.
Key advantages include:
1. Enhanced security – restricting access to authorised personnel.
2. Protection of sensitive data – ensuring and monitoring that only authorised personnel has access to confidential areas or information.
3. Improved safety – protecting building users from hazardous areas.
4. Easy management of access rights – access control systems allow permission to be granted or revoked instantly, via a software system. This can often be done remotely, further improving efficiencies.
5. Monitoring and audit trails - access control systems provide monitoring and auditing capabilities, allowing organisations to track access activities, generate audit trails, and investigate security incidents
6. Flexibility and scalability – access control systems can easily adapt and integrate with a building’s needs. As roles change, employees join or leave, or access requirements evolve, systems, such as CLIQ from ASSA ABLOY can be easily adjusted to align with the organisation's needs, ensuring that access privileges are up to date and accurate.
7. Integration – access control systems can integrate with other building systems or can be used to upgrade existing security systems. For example, CLIQ from ASSA ABLOY can be integrated into a current system and used to make a ‘dumb’ lock smart.
8. Operational efficiency – access control systems reduce the need for manual checks, paper-based records, and physical keys, saving time and cost for companies.
9. Cost saving – in the long-term access control systems will save companies money – reducing the need for physical checks, preventing lost keys which ultimately means there is no need to replace locks and reducing the risk of theft.
Access control systems can be used in a variety of commercial settings from educational and healthcare buildings to hospitality and office environments. They bring numerous benefits, such as operational efficiency, cost savings and improved security.