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Key points for business buyers to consider before investing in an access control system or access control products

By a SupplierStorm writer

If you are considering installing a new access control system or an exit control system or upgrading existing access control hardware or software to help your business secure its buildings, sites and offices then you need to bear in mind the following key points.

Determine the level of security your business requires from an access control system

Your business needs to strike the right balance between the cost and potential inconvenience of access control systems and the level of security that it requires. Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify the key security threats facing your business and the specific sites, areas or activities that are threatened. If you already have an access control system, it may be a good exercise to conduct a security risk assessment and specify an appropriate solution and compare the specification with the equipment that is currently installed. Think about what your business needs. Is there a threat from unknown outsiders that you need to control? Is your business seeking to control access to certain sites or certain parts of a site by its employees? Is your business concerned about visitors or employees removing items from the premises? These are all different threats and may involve potentially different access control solutions. The more specific you are at this stage, then the easier it will be to design the most appropriate solution for your business. This risk assessment will form the basis of the system specification.

Select the most appropriate access control technologies and products for your business

A thorough risk assessment will identify the key security threats that face your business and provide you with a specification for a security system that is appropriate for your business. This will be the first step in identifying the most appropriate technologies. Potential solutions include: keypad and code entry systems, swipe card entry systems, smart card entry systems, RFID security systems, video entry systems, CCTV entry systems, voice entry systems, intercom entry systems and biometric entry systems. In many cases a relatively low-tech key-pad or card entry system will be appropriate and sufficient. But think about the number of people who will be using the system. For example, card-driven turnstiles may be more appropriate than a keypad door entry systems for larger employers or in premises where many people arrive within a short time. Equally, consider the level of identification that will be required – a card can be stolen and a key-code leaked, so sometimes it will be necessary to use intercom entry system, a CCTV entry system or even biometric technologies. Ensure that the system can be grown or adapted at a later date.

Make sure all products are fit for purpose

Select access control products to meet the system specification. Ensure that they offer sufficient capacity to meet the security requirements of the business even when operating at peak times or maximum loads and that all the components of the access control system can operate normally under such conditions. All the components of the access control system, including all the doors, locks and access control equipment, must be appropriate to the level of security that your business requires. Make sure that the products you select and specify are fit for purpose and provide the necessary level of security. It is important to ensure that all equipment is installed expertly and correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. It may be advisable to use specialist contractors to install equipment.

Plan the work carefully and brief staff about the changes

All the stages of the project need to be planned carefully. Ensure that the installation work is planned so that it has a minimal impact on day to day operations. Most importantly, ensure that all your staff are kept well informed and briefed about any changes to the access control system. Provide training if appropriate.

Fully consider health and safety issues

Observe all aspects of health and safety when designing the system layout. This is particularly important with respect to emergency exits and fire control. Does the proposed system meet fire regulations? What would happen if there were a power cut? Are there measures in place to overcome the loss of mains power? Do the access control points fail-locked or fail-unlocked? Think about the impact on people flow and the potential injuries that can be caused by improperly used equipment particularly at peak times or when people are in a hurry. It is important to design-out all perceived health and safety issues.

Ensure compliance to regulations

This is particularly important with respect to electrical regulations. Ensure that chosen cabling conforms to current regulations and meets the access control manufacturers specification exactly. Ensure all cables are adequately protected, particularly in public and non-secure areas. Remember that cable length impacts voltage and can cause signal loss. Also ensure that the access control system is managed in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Ongoing maintenance

Make arrangements for regular service and maintenance of all the components of the access control system. Make sure someone within your organization is responsible for the system. Ensure that someone in your business is nominated with the responsibility for being aware of the serving and maintenance requirements. Take time to construct an appropriate maintenance agreement with a suitably qualified contractor. Ensure that they have all the appropriate product literature including operating manuals and that these are accessible at all times. There should also be a full system description, a plan for all cables, a map locating all key equipment as well as documented inspection routines and maintenance schedules.

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Glossary of key terms relating to access control technologies

Biometric identification

These identify individuals through unique physiological features including face, iris, fingerprint, hand-writing, voice and retina. They rely on digital signal processing to convert the physiological feature into a numeric code which can then be compared with details of individuals stored on a database. They are currently used only in high security applications.

CCTV access control

Useful in high security situations and in situations where individuals do not regularly visit a site or do not have permanent permission to pass the access control point. They rely on identification through physical appearance. New image processing technology is combining CCTV with biometric techniques.

Code entry

(Also called PIN entry) One of the most simple and effective ways of securing access to a single door or a relatively low number of single doors. The code entry key pad is unsuitable for situations with high volumes of people. Also the codes will need regular resetting to avoid "leaks".

Iris recognition

Biometric technology that recognises an individual based on the unique pattern in the iris of their eye which can be compared with records stored on a database.

Face recognition

Biometric technology that recognises a face based on certain key physiological measurements such as the distance between the eyes and between the eyes and the nose by comparison with data stored on a database.

Fingerprint recognition

Biometric technology that reads the fingerprint of an individual and compares it with data stored on a database.

Intercom entry system

A simple system that is ideal in low security, low traffic scenarios where the priority may be to keep strangers and unwanted visitors out of the building. It relies on the fact that people are either known or expected or can be screened through a brief conversation. It also enables access to be controlled remotely.

IR swipe

A swipe card technology that is based on the simple idea of a barcode that is visible in the infrared but appears to be black in visible spectrum - and so avoids the risk of being copied. An IR card reader reads the bar code and permits access.

Key and lock entry

The oldest form of access control. But limited to low traffic applications. Many mechanical locks will involve an electrical or electronic element to ensure that they can be opened remotely if required.

Magnetic swipe

The name for swipe cards that rely on a magnetic strip to carry data and a magnetic strip reader.

PIN entry

(Also called code entry). One of the most simple and effective ways of securing access to a single door or a relatively low number of single doors. The code entry key pad is unsuitable for situations with high volumes of people. Also the codes will need regular resetting to avoid "leaks".

Proximity readers

These enable hands-free or contactless passage through an access control point to people carrying cards or keys fobs that can be identified and read by the proximity reader. Various technologies can be used but the common element is that the reader can sense the identification card or key fob remotely. The readers can be made discrete so that they are hidden behind walls and are so useful in situatiions where discretion is required or where there is a threat of vandalism. The downside is that they give access to anyone who is carrying the fob or card and vcan not necessarilly be linked to an identified individual or to the individual who has been issued with the card or fob.

Smart card

Familar to people using credit and debit cards. These cards contain a chip which can carry identifying information which can be reconciled with the person carrying the card - whether in the form of an electronic picture or a PIN-code.

Swipe cards

These are cards that are swiped through readers to move through an access control point. There are a number of different technologies. These cards can offer additional security in that they can carry a photograph, written information and barcodes.

RFID cards

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) relies on a microchip radio transmitter and an antenna that are laminated onto a plastic card. The chip can be powered with a battery or it can be read by induction when it moves through a magnetic field produced by the reader. It is used in some proximity applications.

Video controlled access

(Also known as CCTV controlled access). Useful in high security situations and in situations where individuals do not regularly visit a site or do not have permanent permission to pass the access control point. They rely on identification through physical appearance. New image processing technology is combining CCTV with biometric techniques.

Voice recognition

A biometric technology that relies on the unique characteristics in the different voices of different individuals. It relies on details of individuals being stored on a database.

Trade Associations

The British Security Industry Association

The BSIA is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards.
Website: http://www.bsia.co.uk/

The Association of Security Consultants (ASC)

The ASC says its full members are independent security consultants, having no allegiance to specific suppliers of goods or services. They either head their own companies, or else are senior partners in other consultancy practices. It claims that they are all leading experts in their fields, whether skilled in a detailed specialisation or able to handle a broad range of strategic issues. Collectively their expertise and experience covers every facet of corporate security and all sectors of commerce and industry, says the ASC.
Website: http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/

The Fire and Security Association (FSA)

The FSA has more than 250 members across the United Kingdom. It claims to be the fastest growing representative body for companies that design, install, commission, maintain and monitor electronic fire and security systems.
Website: http://www.fireandsecurityassociation.co.uk/

Fire Industry Association (FIA)

FIA is a new trade association formed by the merger of two leading associations within the fire protection industry - FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association established in 1916), the trade association of companies responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of portable fire-fighting equipment and BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association established in 1966), the coordinating body for the UK fire systems industry.
Website: http://www.fia.uk.com/

Fire Protection Association (FPA)

Established in 1946 the FPA is the UK’s national fire safety organization.
Website: http://wwwthefpa.co.uk/

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