Benefits of Technology to Support Access Control
Organizations and other businesses that want to keep their premises secure should consider an access control system. While most small businesses can manage their security using traditional lock and key setups, a wide range of businesses have found access control systems extremely beneficial. Access control systems play a critical role to mitigate security risks and allow facilities to operate under secure environments.
Technology has a significant role in improving the effectiveness of access control systems. Although traditional access cards are still used in the access control market, well established companies have shifted to smartphone Bluetooth-enabled technology (Mudarri, Samer, & Abdo, 2015) The technology allows residents to access their authorized areas using frictionless access through secured doors and elevators. The introduction of mobile credential technology is significantly revolutionizing the access control industry. This limits the use of cards and instead authenticate identity.
The use of mobile credential is gaining popularity as most companies are utilizing them in their access control systems. The mobile technology uses smartphones to interact with an access control reader like it happens when physical cards are used. Unlike traditional cards, mobile credentials are convenient, more flexible, and involve low maintenance costs for managing credentials among end-users.
Another technology that has changed operations in access control systems is biometric technology. Companies that use biometric systems in their access control system utilize fingerprint recognition and iris scanning technologies. In some cases where greater security is anticipated, multiple biometric approaches are combined with the use of physical cards.
Although technology keeps advancing and evolving each day, physical cards play a critical role in promoting trusted identity, thus granting secure access. Access control cards exist in two categories, secure and non-secure. Both cards monitor the people entering and exiting the building. A proximity card is the most common type of access card used in both commercial and residential buildings; however, they offer low level security (Banhart, 2019). Technology has facilitated improvement of access cards. The most recent advancement on security control cards is the development of smart cards. The cards were designed in a way that they are hard to duplicate.
Smart cards offer improved access control security. The cards also have an integrated circuit and can read and write data, unlike prox cards. The features allow smart cards to store large volume data; therefore, they can host diverse credential options. Additionally, smart cards can provide multiple services, including personal identification, authentication, data storage, and process applications. When considering access card options, smart cards are the appropriate option for commercial and residential premises access. The cards provide high-tech security with an encrypted credential that the reader has to decrypt (Banhart, 2019).
Rising security concerns and need for convenience are among the factors shaping the future of access control. Technological developments in security systems, including the increasing utilization of wireless technology, has improved access control. Security is a concern for both private and public facilities; therefore, technology plays a vital role in ensuring optimum security is achieved in commercial, residential, and government buildings. Most industries are transitioning to authenticated access control measures since they offer high level security than traditional cards. Smart cards are considered the most secure among various technologies used in access control systems. Although cards will continue to be used, the shift to mobile credentials and biometric identification cannot be ignored.
References
Barnhart, E. J. (2019). Trends & technology dictate ‘smart’ future for access control. Security
Magazine.
Mudarri, T., Samer, A., & Abdo, A.S. (2015). Security fundamentals: Access control models.