You're looking to upgrade your facility's security. What access control system should you choose?

1 What is access control?

Access control is the process of granting or denying access to a physical or digital resource based on predefined criteria. Access control systems use various methods to authenticate and authorize users, such as passwords, PINs, cards, fobs, biometrics, or mobile devices. Access control systems can also record and report on who accessed what, when, and where.

2 Why do you need access control?

Access control can be a valuable asset to the security of your facility by protecting assets, data, and personnel from theft, vandalism, or sabotage. It can also restrict access to sensitive or hazardous areas based on roles, schedules, or clearances. Additionally, access control can help improve accountability and traceability of user actions and events. Furthermore, it can reduce operational costs and human errors by automating access management. Last but not least, access control can help your organization comply with regulations and standards for safety, privacy, and quality.

4 How to choose the right access control system for your facility?

When selecting an access control system for your facility, it's important to consider factors such as the size and complexity of your facility and resources, the level of security risks and threats you face, your budget and resources available for installation and maintenance, the compatibility and integration of the system with your existing infrastructure and software, and user/stakeholder preferences. To select the right system, you should conduct a security assessment to identify needs, goals, and challenges; compare features, benefits, and drawbacks of different types of access control systems; consult with experts and vendors; test and evaluate the system; and monitor/review it regularly for effectiveness/efficiency.