What Methodology Should You Follow To Choose The Best Access Control Systems?

You have to evaluate certain factors while shopping for an access control system. This very methodology will help you in narrowing down your opinions and measure their importance as per your personal needs.

The Types of Access Control Systems

The access control systems are available in different sizes and shapes. In general words, these solutions are likely to be segmented into four chief categories -

Local - The on-site access control systems are well hosted on the local servers which are typically managed by the in-house IT team. The access control systems provider in Cork makes use of a security integration vendor for managing the software updates and necessary maintenance.

Cloud - The Cloud-based access control systems are the easiest to use ones - it is because as everything is hosted in the Cloud, so accessing and controlling the centralized management system can be done from anywhere. You need not worry about the on-site servers, physical maintenance, and additional hardware.

IoT - The Internet of Things control systems are connected with the “smart” machines. These systems are connected with a wireless network for securely opening and restricting access to the doors.

Mobile - Other than using a physical access card, the authorized users will be entering the doors by using their tablets, smartphones, and wearable technology.

Each of these solutions is having both advantages and drawbacks. So, the ideal option for your business will be relying on infrastructure and your needs at large. But for the major part, the cloud systems are the easiest to scale and most user-friendly.

Apart from the type, you have to consider something more at the time of choosing the ideal access control systems.

i.     Proper Installation and Support

The access control systems must be professionally installed. The providers can handle installation directly or else you can hire a third-party dealer. The cost for installation varies between the systems for each control panel. You have to understand all these requirements ahead of time since you could have to install more control panels for accommodating the access control systems.

 

To state its perfect usage, the access control systems will be operating free from issues once they have been installed. But what will happen if there is a problem or else a card reader has failed? In that case, you have to find out what support type the provider is offering for future on-visits beyond its initial installation. Find out how soon will the problem be resolved, whether it will cost some more money, or whether it has been covered with your plan, and for how long will they provide the necessary support.

ii.   Necessary Credentialing And Security

At the time of evaluating the access control systems, security is the top reason. You have to avoid the providers who use outdated technology. The best systems comprise video surveillance, alarms as well as lockdown modes at the time of repeated attempts for accessing a secured area, beyond the basic access control.

When you use the access control systems, which involve proprietary technology, these are less vulnerable to breaches compared to the open-source solutions.

You must have different options to manage the credentials. A few businesses are even providing multi-credential authentication for particular access levels.

Based on the areas where you are restricting, then you will have to choose the access control system equipped with advanced security features, for instance, a few systems have alarms when the door is propped open for a longer time. It is necessary for implementing the rules for certain emergency scenarios. The best access control systems allow programming the doors to automatically locking and unlocking in case there are fires or break-ins. For the facilities having guests or visitors, then you have to make sure the access control systems are allowing for temporary guest credentialing.

 

Administrative and Reporting Tools

Through the access control systems, the managers and administrators can observe the way the employees and certified users are moving throughout the building. It will be easier to check out who is entering the door at the exact time.

All these reports are highly useful when investigations for suspicious activities are necessary. It is easier to rewind and check exactly who was present in the particular area at the time of the accident.

The best access control systems are having a lot of real-time information as well as detailed reports to benefit the admins. So, you have to make sure the reports are indefinitely stored, so referring to them after months and years becomes flexible when needed.

Access control systems have a dominant role to play when you need them for the overall protection of your building. In the first place, you have to be aware of the methodologies as discussed here, and next, consult the professionals to ensure everything is legally done.