Security access control systems play a vital role in businesses and commercial establishments. Today’s society is characterized by social evils amongst them crime and rising insecurity. Hardly a day passes without hearing a case where a business has been robbed or a businessman has been shot down in his own premises. Insecurity has formed a significant part of our news items be it on televisions or newspapers and this has been contributed to a major extent by our failing social values and alarming levels of moral decadence.
Insecurity notwithstanding, businesses must operate normally and for them to do that, security must be beefed up. Access control systems basically consist of an integrated set of devices that work in harmony to capture and relay information which could be useful in ensuring the security of an area. A typical access control system should limit access to specific areas within the business premises and this will help reduce although not eliminate the menace of insecurity. The types of access control systems vary with technicalities and functionalities. Below are some of the systems:
Card reader systems: these are some of the commonly used access control system in the world. Through the swiping of a card which bears a magnetic stripe at the back, these cards allow access to certain individuals to certain premises during certain times. The information as to when a person entered a given premises their full details and the number of times they accessed the premises is captured. Any failed attempt to access premises is also captured and can be analyzed and form a useful piece of an investigative report.
Smart chip technology: this is an integral component of wireless security systems. Without the swiping of a card, a smart chip which bears the details of the person allows access to certain premises. While some chip based cards must be run through a reader, others make use of radio frequency systems. By walking to or standing next to a door, it automatically opens granting you access to the premises.
Comprehensive access control software: through technological advancements and development, technology gurus have conceptualized and put together an integrated system that handles all enterprise security needs. Among the things that the system does is to manage security clearance, printing visitor passes which bear the full details of the visitor; their name, identification number and even the person they have come to see. The system also helps in the development of system compliant staff badges which are necessary as part of the internal access controls.
The usefulness of this system even extends to payroll issues where an employee’s attendance and remuneration is tracked via the security card. This is more applicable in jobs where the employees attend in shifts and where pay is based on man hours.
After all is said and done, the threat of insecurity has led to innovations and reinventions of security and access control systems that are designed to secure and protect business and personal interests. CCTV surveillance cameras are being improved on and integrated into very complex access control systems.