Access control systems have become essential for many organizations, especially those with many employees or visitors. “These systems” ensure that only authorized personnel have access to certain areas of the premises.
Access control can help prevent theft, damage, and other security breaches. Smart cards are one of the most effective technologies used to find the best access control systems.
This article will explore the many benefits of smart cards access control systems.
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Smart Cards in Access Control – Overview
A smart card is a plastic card with a built-in computer chip. This chip can be either a memory or a small computer chip. The chip stores and processes data related to value, information, or a combination of both.
“The smart card” is used in various sectors, such as banking, healthcare, finance, entertainment, and media. The card’s data is transmitted through a reader. Smart card physical security systems offer several security features that benefit the applications, making them more efficient.
Benefits of Smart Cards: The Future of Access Control
Smart cards have come a long way since their inception. From their humble beginnings, storing digital data was the core purpose of these technologies. They have now become one of the most innovative and versatile technologies for access control.
Today, we’ll explore the many benefits of smart cards. They can basically or essentially change access control management systems for businesses and individuals.
Enhanced Security
Smart cards are ideal for carrying security credentials, including photo ID and biometric data. With access control cards that can read fingerprint data, clients can add an extra layer of security. Smart cards are essential for businesses, ranking safety and protecting their employees and assets from potential threats as the most important.
Physical Access
Access control cards are an essential component of modern door access control systems. They can integrate with car park entry points, lifts, and reception turnstiles. This will allow personnel to have trouble-free access to the places they need to be.
Security managers can easily limit access to sensitive or very secure areas and assets. They can ensure only authorized individuals can enter these areas.
Device Access
Smart cards can also control access to computers, printers, lockers, and other devices. This feature reduces the need for physical keys and remembering passwords. It makes it easier for employees to gain access to the tools they need to do their jobs.
Cashless Vending and Parking
Monetary credits or tokens can be loaded onto access control cards. These credits can be used for cashless spending on food and drink. Vending machines and canteens accept such payments.
This feature is convenient for employees and eliminates the need for businesses to handle cash. It also reduces the risk of theft and ensures more accurate accounting.
Visitor Management
Access control cards are an effective tool for managing visitors on-site. They can be pre-programmed to activate and deactivate at certain times and provide bespoke access arrangements depending on the visitor. This feature is ideal for businesses that want to control who enters their premises.
Health and Safety
Facilities managers can monitor where secure access control cards and their owners are located across the site at any given point. This information can be crucial in emergencies, such as checking if people are at muster points or finding first aiders. This feature can improve health and safety outcomes by ensuring that employees are always safe and accounted for.
Business Insight
Knowing where people are can help business managers to review resources. They can then deploy these resources more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, they should know what people are accessing and at what times.
Smart cards provide businesses with insights into how their resources are being used. This information can improve productivity and the business’s ability to make a profit.
Beyond Smart Cards
Smartphones and RFID bands are now used for door access control and more comprehensive access arrangements. Using your smartphone means you have one less thing to remember and carry. RFID bands are great for leisure centers and holiday parks. Customers can easily use ‘locks and keys’ to open doors, lockers, and their places to stay or live in.
Top 5 Best Access Control Systems
- HID Global: HID Global is a leading provider of access control systems. They offer a wide range of products, including card readers, biometric readers, and mobile access solutions. Their highly scalable designs make them suitable for organizations of all sizes.
- Kisi: Kisi is a cloud-based access control system that allows users to manage access to their facilities from anywhere. Their platform is designed to be quickly modified to fit individual needs or preferences. Features such as visitor management and time tracking are included.
- Brivo: Brivo is a cloud-based access control system that gives users real-time access to their facilities from anywhere. Their platform includes features like video surveillance, intrusion detection, and visitor management, making it a comprehensive security solution.
- Paxton: Paxton is a UK-based company that provides access control solutions, including card readers, biometric readers, and wireless door handles. Their systems are easy to install and use, offering various act of modifying something to fit individual needs or preferences options.
- Avigilon: Avigilon is a Canadian company that provides various security solutions, including access control, video surveillance, and video analytics. Their access control systems are highly scalable and can be integrated with other security systems to create a comprehensive security solution.
How does a smart card system benefit facility managers?
Smart card systems are becoming increasingly popular for businesses, hospitals, and universities in access control. Integrating multiple types of access control systems and technologies provides flexibility and convenience that traditional access control systems cannot match. This article will explore the many benefits of smart card systems for facility managers.
Improved Integration with Various Access Control Systems
Traditional access control systems require integration between various access control systems, which can challenge facility managers. On the other hand, smart card systems can be integrated with different technologies, including proximity, magnetic stripe, and biometric systems. This allows smart cards to be used in other locations with varying technology readers, providing better flexibility.
Increased Security for Corporate Information Networks
Smart cards can also help protect corporate information networks by offering logical and physical access control. Logical access control is like a lock on a company’s computer network. When a user’s smart card is inserted into a card reader, the card reader is linked to their workstation. This grants the user access to the company’s network.
Many workers neglect to sign out of their computers at the close of their shifts, resulting in the possibility of others having access to confidential corporate information. A potential threat to security can be mitigated by incorporating biometrics to authenticate individuals or gadgets. A smart card can provide a solution by detaching the device from the organization’s network once it is removed.
Programmable Access and User Data
Smart cards contain a computer chip programmed with personal information about the cardholder. The chip also indicates the access point or points the individual can enter. This enables facility managers to set access levels for specific users, providing better control over who can enter which facilities.
Reduce Confusion over Different Access Cards
Specific buildings or departments may have access control systems requiring different access cards in businesses, hospitals, and universities. Having multiple cards to access different facilities can be confusing and hard to keep track of, however, smart cards simplify this process by storing all the necessary information on a single card, eliminating the need for additional cards.
Conclusion
Smart cards are important for access control systems because they offer better security, easier access control, cost savings, and convenience. In today’s world, security breaches and unauthorized access attempts are more common. Therefore, organizations need to use smart cards to protect their assets and keep their employees and visitors safe. Smart cards can create a secure and controlled environment that reduces the risk of security threats and unauthorized access.
