Access key cards look similar to credit cards, which means they are portable and easily fit in a wallet. These cards are vital elements in door access control systems and are provided to each individual who will gain access to the facility. There is an encrypted chip encoded with the credential for that person. The card is held near the reader or swiped to let the reader pass on the credential for verification steps.

Credentials are a piece of information that is used to gain access to the facility. For example: PIN code or secret key, access badge or key fob, biometric touch, or any other authentication factor. These authentication factors depend on the card reader to recognize the credential, whether it is a biometric device or some other device. When systems use one authentication factor, it is called single-factor authentication and when systems use a combination of credentials, it is called multi-factor authentication.

There are different types of door access control systems and card technologies like magnetic stripe, bar code, Wiegand, RFID proximity cards, swipe cards, barcode cards, contact smart cards, and touchless smart cards. Apart from these, there are key fobs and Micro tags.

Card Readers are devices that are mounted on a door or next to the door for which you want to gain access. They are the first step in the authentication process, the reader can accept credentials by card insertion, swiping the card or by holding the card in close proximity to the reader.

An electronic door lock is the hardware mounted on the door that locks or unlocks the door based on whether the access is granted or denied by the system. When a person swipes their card or provides the necessary credential method to gain access, the system authenticates and if a match is detected, signals to unlock the door. After the person enters the facility, the door locks automatically. This hardware also makes the process easy for exit because there might be uncertain events of fire or any other emergency situation, when the employees need hassle-free access out of the building.

Power supply and wiring is a critical component of the access control system. The power requirement of an access control system is divided into two parts –

• Power for the controllers and readers: Readers require a precise voltage to operate. Standalone battery powered controllers can run with battery but will need to charge the battery for continuous operation. Hardwired access controllers may need an external power supply.

• Power for the electronic locks: Electronic locks require power to perform the operation of its two configuration: 

1. Fail safe: Requires the power be taken away from lock and the lock “unlocks” the door
2. Fail secure: Requires the power be transmitted to the lock and the lock “unlocks” the door

Depending on your preference, you will need to decide on whether your facility’s door should remain locked or unlocked during emergency situations, like power outages.

Switches and push buttons allow for remotely unlocking the facility’s door when a user presses the switch. Additional features such as time-delay, momentary release, maintained release, and emergency release provide more operational flexibility for the user.

Control panel is the main component where all the access control components like readers, power supply board, door locks sensor are linked together in one place. Access Control panels are also known as access controllers or access control boards. The panel is installed in an IT room, electric room, or closets, that hosts your database and connects your access control hardware’s to the cloud or on-premise system. Access controllers, as the name suggests, controls the access authentication based on the rules or roles set by the company. The main function of the panel is to identify the user’s credential by finding a match in the database. If a match is detected, the user is granted access to the facility.

Access control systems need a server to manage access stored in the access database. It makes the decision of whether to lock or unlock the door based on the unmatched or matched credential respectively. The server also keeps track of all the activities and allows administrators to review entry logs and records on a particular date and time. This is crucial in case of certification or when it is needed by management. The server not only runs the access software but also sends and receives data from access control workstations and communicates with them for real-time monitoring, access point controls, and schedule control.

Access control hardware is managed with access control software. This application defines users, manages credentials, schedules access, adds or removes entries, and more. The information contained in the access control software coordinates with the access control unit, to enable the unit to grant or deny access. The administrator should monitor the software updates to maintain the proper function of the system. 

In cloud-based access control systems, the hardware is installed on premise and the software is configured in the cloud. Users entries, schedules, site information and credentials are set up in the software and then automatically synced with the access control units. Real-time events are captured by the cloud software. The advantage is that in case of power outage, the system still functions but communications between the access control software and the access control unit will only take place once power and Internet are restored.

Physical barriers help to prevent access to unauthorized people and keep them from entering the facility and keeps the workplace safe. The different physical barriers are turnstiles, fences, electronic gates, or other barriers. These barriers are used in office buildings to grant access only to individuals with the permission to be in that area.

Depending upon the emergency, urgent and non-urgent events, different mass notification alerts or sounds can be configured in the access control system. Common notifications are “Door Held Open” and “Door Forced Open”. Fire alarms can also be integrated with access control to detect fire and smoke using temperature sensors, smoke detectors, and more.

Biometrics is the method of identifying a person based on chemical, behavioral or physical attributes of a person. The main purpose of biometrics is to verify the person’s identity in order to restrict access to unauthorized people entering the facility. The biometric reader captures the pattern when the user stands in front of the access door. These patterns are fingerprints, irises, hand geometries, voice patterns, DNA information or other biometrics.

Facial Recognition is one of the latest technology advancements that provides a fast, easy authentication process to grant access to the facility. When an individual stands in front of the door, his or her face is captured live and compared against the stored digital images to grant access.

Security cameras or video surveillance systems can be integrated with access control to capture a video feed of every person entering or exiting the facility. This helps in retrieving the video to verify criminal offences or uncertain events in the facility.

Elevator controls can also be integrated with access control systems to manage user access to restricted floors of a facility.

Integration of access control systems with perimeter controls helps to protect the exterior of a facility. When it detects a perimeter breach, it can trigger an alert or intrusion alarm system in order to identify a person or an object on the property.