Crime rates are constantly growing as intruders always come up with many new ways to break inside your property. Today, business owners are looking for various ways to avoid that and protect their buildings from criminals.
They use all kinds of alarms, surveillance cameras and different detectors, as these devices give you the ability to control your area and they usually act as a strong crime deterrent. Another security measure that is widely used is an access control system. They come in different configurations and complexity. Today, we want to discuss proximity access control systems in more detail.
How Does Proximity Access Control Work?
In order to define whether a proximity access control system is suitable for you, it's essential to understand the working principles of this device. In general, the main purpose of this system is to give the building owner an opportunity to fully control who and when enters the property. An access control system combines different parts – server, reader, lock, control panel, etc. The work of this type of system consists of the following processes
- Identification. Through different credentials, like ID cards, biometrics, codes, passwords, etc. the system establishes the identity of a person that is requesting access.
- Authentication. The next step after the access control system identifies the person is the authentication process. Here this device validates the credentials provided.
- Authorization. When the control system defines that the person who requested access is authorized and after it approves the individual's identity, that person receives access to certain areas or resources.
- Monitoring. This process includes tracking all the activity, whether it was successful or not. Moreover, some of these systems are combined with cameras, detectors and alarms that enhance the security level and make the monitoring process easier.
Types of Proximity Readers
Depending on your preferences and the level of security you need for your property, you might want to consider different types of proximity readers. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.
- RFID readers are the ones that use radio frequency for identification. In order to activate them, a card or fob with a unique identifier inside has to be used.
- Magnetic stripe readers are also quite common in various buildings. These systems are activated by a card with a magnetic stripe that has the required data encoded in it.
- Biometric readers are one of the newest technological devices. They need some kind of biometrics to get activated, like fingerprint, iris scanning, face recognition, etc.
- NFC proximity readers are similar to the first type, as they also require a card or fob to be accessed. This system can be compatible with a wide range of devices.
Pros of proximity access control
Proximity access control systems can offer a variety of advantages to business owners. First of all, these devices are pretty easy to use and they don't require any additional training. As we have already mentioned, they offer a high level of security, as they allow you to monitor every access attempt to your building. In case someone unauthorized tries to enter your property, you'll be notified right away. Moreover, the data about every entry case is saved in the cloud.
Another great advantage of the proximity access control system is contactless entry, which became extremely beneficiary in time of Covid.
If you're considering the installation of this kind of system for your property, you might use professional security services.
Cons of proximity access control
Without any doubt, access control systems can really benefit your general security, but just like any other device, they have their own drawbacks.
One of the biggest disadvantages of these systems is the fact that many of them have a really narrow range of action. It might not be suitable for certain buildings. Also, they might be vulnerable to hacking which concerns many business owners. Another pitfall of this device is the fact that some of them depend on power, so they will become useless if it's off.
However, all the risks can be minimized when the system is properly maintained and combined with some other security devices.
Is a proximity access control system right for you?
Determining whether a proximity access control system is right for you depends on your specific needs, circumstances, and priorities. Some of the factors to consider before making the decision are
- Security requirements;
- Size and complexity of the facility;
- Budget;
- Integration with existing systems;
- Operational requirements;
- Risk tolerance and compliance;
After you carefully examine all these aspects, it'll be much easier to decide whether a proximity access control system is right for you.
Summing up
Overall, proximity access control is a great addition to the security of your building. It is reliable and durable and gives an owner the opportunity to completely control who and when accesses their building.
If you still have any questions about these systems, Sure Lock & Key will gladly answer them. We will also assist you with the installation process of any of the systems you may chose.
