8 min
Knowing who is on site is essential for any business. Knowing where they’re going and what they can access is even more important.
The problem is, if you have more than just a few employees and visitors, you’ll struggle to keep track of their whereabouts without some kind of access control system. For most businesses, there are a range of access levels: from employees in different roles through to visitors, contractors, and deliveries.
This article is all about breaking down building access control systems — different types, their essential elements, the process behind them, and best practice tips and tricks.
A lock and key might cut it for a one-person business. For everyone else, a building access control system is non-negotiable if you want a truly secure business.
What is a building access control system?
Simply put, a building access control system is a set of tools and processes that manage who can enter your building and the zones and rooms within it. It gives you control and security over your physical space.
Think of it as a digital doorman, checking who’s who and deciding whether to let people into different areas.
Different types of building access control systems explained
There isn't just one way to control building access. You’ll come across several names and categories as you learn more about access control systems, including:
Discretionary Access Control
This is a flexible system where the owner of a resource (like a specific office or room) decides who can access it.
You’ll find it in smaller settings or for less critical facilities.
Mandatory Access Control
This is a stricter model often used in high-security environments like military or government facilities. Access is based on security clearances and classifications set by a central authority, not individual owners.
Role-Based Access Control
This system is popular in white collar businesses. Access is granted based on a person's role within the organization.
For example, only HR teams and senior management can unlock the storage room containing personnel files.
Rule-Based Access Control
This system uses specific rules or policies defined by administrators to determine access. These rules account for various factors like time of day, location, and access holder attributes.
You might also see this being called Policy-Based Access Control.
Core components of a building access control system
The most effective building access control systems are a web of multiple systems and processes, working in tandem to create reliable security. Components to look for include:
Access credentials
This is what people use to identify themselves to the system. It could be anything from a key card or fob, a QR code on a smartphone, a password, or biometrics (of fingerprints or faces).
Door readers and entry devices
These are the devices installed at entry points that read individuals’ access credentials. It might be a card reader, a biometric scanner, a keypad, or a mobile access reader.
Access control panels and controllers
These are the brains of the system. Receiving credentials from the reader, this central system makes access decisions based on preset rules and gives the signal to permit or deny access.
Electronic locks and door hardware
These are the physical locking mechanisms that are controlled by the access control system. You might have simple electric strike locks or more sophisticated magnetic locks and door operators.
Access control software and management tools
This is what manages the entire system and its administrative tasks, including adding and removing access holders, assigning access levels, monitoring activity, and generating reports.
How access control systems work: step-by-step
Let’s get into the real detail of these systems, explaining the flow of information and action.
- Someone wants to enter a secured area and presents their access credential to the reader.
- The reader captures the information from the credential (e.g. reads an ID card or scans a fingerprint).
- The reader sends this information to the access control panel or controller.
- The controller checks the credentials against its database to verify the access holder and their authorizations.
- The controller grants or denies access.
- If access is granted, the controller unlocks the door to allow entry.
- The system logs the access attempt, reporting who tried to enter, where, and when. This creates an audit trail, which is essential for security.
- Good access control systems integrate with other systems like security cameras and alarms. With these integrations, specific events can trigger these systems into action. For example:
- Recording each entry plus ten seconds after in case of tailgating.
- Sounding an alarm and alerting security personnel/police to a break-in.
How to design a building access control system
Every building is different, with unique weak points and contexts. We can’t give you specific advice in this article because of that, but we can explain the fundamental questions to answer when designing your access control system.
Identify your security needs
What are you trying to protect? What are the potential threats? Until you’re clear on what needs protecting, you won’t know how to protect it.
Understand roles and access levels
Determine who needs access to which areas – based on their role, not the individual – and define their permission levels.
A role-based access system is robust and easy to maintain in the face of staff turnover.
Select the right access control technology
Choosing your credentials and reader can be tricky. You need an option that matches your level of risk, your budget, and ease-of-use for your staff. Finding a solution that ticks all three boxes isn’t easy.
Establish one priority factor and choose the system that best suits it. A business with many staff and regular turnover might need to prioritize a flexible, easy-to-use system at a higher cost. A business housing critical infrastructure might need to choose the most complex system that takes longer to operate than others.
Plan for scalability and future upgrades
Think about how your access control needs might change in the future.
If things go well for your business, can your system handle a dozen new users (and at what cost)? Can it be scaled across multiple locations?
If you need to scale back, are you tied into a long contract or expensive break clauses?
Best practices for managing access control systems
Once your system is in place, the real work begins. Security is an ongoing process, not a one-and-done task. Make time to:
Conduct regular audits
Review access logs, permissions, and system settings to identify any anomalies or potential vulnerabilities.
Depending on your risk tolerance, this could be weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
Train staff on access control protocols
Ensure all employees and administrators understand how the access control system works, security protocols, and their responsibilities.
This ties in with a wider need for awareness and upskilling in security. It might be a cliche, but it’s true: your system is only as secure as its weakest link.
Ensure data privacy and compliance
If your system collects personal data (like biometric information), you need to be sure that your storage and processing of that data meets regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
Your system provider should be able to provide these assurances, but you should never assume.
Create an emergency response plan
Have clear procedures in place for how building access will work during emergencies such as lockdowns, power outages, or breaches.
Another cliche, another truth: if you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.
Regularly update software and firmware
Keep your access control system's software and firmware up to date to patch security vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance.
Your provider should be on top of this and, ideally, be pushing updates automatically. This isn’t always the case and there are some security risks that come with automatic updates. It’s worth consulting with your provider and security and IT teams.
Why use acre Access Control for your building?
Protecting your premises requires a robust and reliable access control system. Those are the systems we develop and manage.
We offer a range of cutting-edge access control solutions that will protect your valuable assets and ensure the safety of your personnel. Working with acre, you’ll be following in the safe footsteps of industry leaders including Mastercard, LinkedIn, and EDF.
Our systems are designed with scalability, integration, and user-friendliness in mind. Most importantly, we develop tailored solutions to meet your unique needs.
Learn more about our building access control systems.
Secure your premises, business, and productivity
Building access control systems are vital in modern security management, providing a more sophisticated and secure barrier to entry than the traditional lock and key.
Understanding the different types of systems, their core components, and best practice design, you can significantly enhance the security and efficiency of your premises.
Ready to take the next step in securing your building?
