An access control system (ACS) replaces keys with a single database of users and permissions. It decides who can go where and when, records every passage, and lets you instantly revoke access for a departing employee or a lost card.
What an ACS consists of
- Credentials: cards, key fobs, PIN codes, biometrics, smartphones.
- Readers at doors and turnstiles.
- Controllers store permissions and make decisions even without a connection to the server.
- Actuators: locks, turnstiles, barriers, speed gates.
- Software: administration, logs, reports, time tracking.
Credentials compared
| Credential | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card / key fob | cheap, fast, familiar | can be handed over or lost | offices, business centers, residential complexes |
| PIN code | no physical credential needed | can be overseen, slower | secondary doors, second factor |
| Fingerprint | cannot be handed over | sensitive to dirt and gloves | warehouses, server rooms |
| Face | contactless, fast | more expensive, depends on lighting | staff entrances, main entrances |
| Smartphone | convenient, no plastic, remote issuing | depends on the employee's phone | modern offices |
In practice, several methods are often combined: a card for common areas, and card + PIN or biometrics for the server room and the valuables store.
Turnstiles, locks or speed gates
- Turnstiles for staff entrances with heavy foot traffic.
- Speed gates for representative business-center lobbies.
- Electromagnetic locks are simple and reliable for interior doors.
- Electromechanical locks for doors that must stay locked when power fails (vaults, warehouses).
- Barriers with license plate recognition for parking lots.
Fire safety is mandatory
Doors on escape routes must unlock during a fire. The ACS is integrated with the fire alarm system: on a fire signal, locks are de-energized and turnstiles open the passage. Unlocking should be implemented in hardware so that it does not depend on software or a server.
Time and attendance
The ACS automatically records when employees arrive and leave. The software produces timesheets, reports on late arrivals and hours worked, and can pass data to HR and accounting systems.
Integration with CCTV
An ACS event is linked to the video recording: security staff see who actually walked through on a card, and suspicious access attempts are automatically flagged in the archive.
How we design access control
We start by analyzing people flows and access zones, select credentials and equipment to fit the tasks and budget, and design integration with the fire alarm and video systems. More details on the "Access Control" page.
