Aside from protecting networks and systems, physical access control systems also play a trivial part in the overall security of an organization.
In this post, let us know more about physical access control systems and how it works for ensuring overall security systems.
What is a Physical Access Control System?
Physical access control systems (PACS) are a form of physical security system that allows or restricts entry to a specific area or building. PACS are frequently in place to safeguard businesses and property. For example, from vandalism, theft, and trespassing, and they are particularly effective in locations that require higher levels of security and protection.
Also, physical access control processes, unlike physical obstacles such as retaining walls, fences, or strategic landscaping, regulate who, how, and when a person can get access.
Thus, being able to control physical access is an essential part of any security program.
Different Physical Access Control Systems
Here are examples of different physical access control systems.
1. Property monitoring
This is helpful to keep watch over the security of a certain area. This helps make sure that no one breaks into restricted areas or steals something off of someone’s property.
2. Entry control
Entry control aims to track who enters and exits a building. This can be very useful for recording employee hours, tracking visitors, and seeing who has come in contact with certain data or information.
Perhaps you can equip doors with sensors that can detect if someone has opened the door without authorization. This is what you call an exit detection system. The sensor sends a signal or alarm to the security staff if anyone opens the door without permission.
3. Video surveillance
Video surveillance enables video cameras to monitor entry and exit points around an organization’s perimeter. Also, inside buildings and even within sensitive areas like server rooms and workstations. We then use these recorded data to analyze and to see how threats enter or exit the facility.
4. Time-and-attendance systems
Time-and-attendance systems are used to manage employees’ access to specific areas during certain times of the day. Employees must swipe their proximity card at the beginning of their shift and swipe it again at the end of their shift. By doing so, you can record their hours worked (it also records when they leave).
5. Geo-fencing
Geo-fencing is a feature that creates virtual boundaries around real-world geographical areas. Such as cities or counties, by configuring the GPS location on the device with the geo-fence location. This method is used by businesses that want to provide access (or deny access) based on where a person is located concerning their company’s boundaries.
6. Visitor tracking
Visitor tracking is a feature that allows security personnel to indicate whether or not a person is authorized to enter a certain area. A person may be allowed to enter the company campus, but not be allowed to enter certain buildings.
This feature allows security personnel to know when unauthorized people are attempting to enter an area.
Two Types of Access Control
Access control systems also have two types of access control. They are “passive” access control and “active” access control.
Passive access control systems are automatic, meaning that they detect whether or not you have permission to enter the facility without human interaction. A simple example would be if you have a retinal scanner, an infrared beam will check your eyes for permission to enter the room. This system requires no human interaction since it detects your presence automatically, hence the term “passive”.
Active access control systems are manual, meaning that they rely on human interaction in some way. For example, if the person at the front desk looks up your name on their computer and manually allows you to enter the building after verifying you are allowed to do so.
Conclusion
Physical access control systems are a form of physical security system that allows or restricts entry to a specific area or building. Also, it aims to track who enters and exits a building.
More importantly, physical access control processes, unlike physical obstacles such as retaining walls, fences, or strategic landscaping, regulate who, how, and when a person can get access.
Thus, being able to control physical access is an essential part of any security program.
