For businesses of all sizes, security should always be a top priority, especially if you work in a sector where private data or expensive equipment is involved.  The world leader in this technology is Brivo with their cloud-based cyber-secure solution.

Safeguarding your company’s assets is critical to its success, and a well-designed and secure mobile door access or card access control system can help you do so.

Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or building manager, mobile door access and card access control systems make your life easier, but few know how these security systems actually work.

In this article, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of mobile door access and card access systems, including what they are, how they work, the different types of systems, and the benefits of implementing them in your facility. We’ll even discuss what the future of access control systems could look like.

WHAT IS A CARD ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM?

Card access control systems and mobile door access systems are used to manage, monitor, and maintain the security of particular areas in your place of business. As opposed to using a traditional lock and key to gain access to a secured area, card access control solutions utilize key cards and fobs instead.

Access control aims to provide quick and convenient access for authorized users while restricting access for unauthorized users.

You can manage access to nearly anything with an access control system, including files, workstations, printers, doors, facilities, buildings, and offices.

Recommended Read Why You Should Integrate Door Access Control Systems with Other Security Devices

COMPONENTS OF CARD ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

The various types and complexities of access control systems may vary, but most card access control systems utilize the following components.

  • credentials
  • card readers
  • access control infrastructure
  • control panels
  • control servers

Credentials

Credentials act as your electronic “key.” Having the proper credentials is the only way for a user to gain access to doors or systems that are protected by access control systems.

Credentials have the advantage of being personalized, allowing any unlock event to be traced back to the person who owns the credential.

Card readers

The card reader electronically analyzes the user’s credentials and sends a request to a server to unlock the door using said credentials. Card readers are typically installed outside of the door or system they are intended to unlock.

Access control infrastructure

When the card reader requests that a door be unlocked, the door access control panel sends a signal to the lock, and the infrastructure is responsible for completing that process.

Control panels

Once the system recognizes the user’s credentials, the door control panel receives a request to unlock a specific entry point where the card is presented to the card reader. The lock is then triggered, and the door unlocks.

5 BENEFITS OF CARD ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Card access control systems can provide your business with a number of benefits, including the following.

  • They are easy to manage
  • They eliminate the need for keys and keyrings
  • You can set specific entry times
  • You can monitor who enters and who exits
  • They are better at protecting company data

Easy to manage

Card access control systems make it much easier for you to manage the security of your building. You won’t have to worry about which people need specific keys to get into particular areas, as you only have to ensure that everyone has updated credentials.

Eliminate the need for keys

If a user loses their card, the system manager can deactivate the old card and assign them a new one. This takes away a lot of the hassle that comes with controlling access to restricted areas and makes it much easier to ensure that your facility is always secure.

Set specific entry times

Door entry systems also allow you to grant access to specific people on specific days and at specific times. Additionally, you can also accommodate visitors by giving them access to certain areas for only the duration of their visit.

This customizability is something that traditional keys and locks cannot provide.

Monitor who enters and exits

Another benefit of access control systems is that they allow you to keep track of who enters and exits your facility throughout the day. If there’s an accident or theft, you’ll be able to see who accessed a specific area during the time of the incident.

Protect company data

When it comes to access control, it’s natural to think of physical security, but what about protecting your business’s processes and sensitive data?

One of the many benefits of access control is that it also helps prevent system disruptions or the leaking of sensitive company information, both of which can have disastrous consequences for your organization.

TYPES OF KEY CARDS

Card access control systems are a simple way to keep your company secure. There are many options available when it comes to card access control systems. Let’s take a look at a few of them below.

Wiegand key cards

Wiegand key cards store unique binary data that cannot be erased or reprogrammed by magnetic fields, and they were one of the first types of key cards to be developed.

Because these cards don’t have a microchip or other easily breakable components, they’re a more durable option and remain the industry standard for access control systems.

Swipe key cards

Similar to credit cards, swipe cards allow users to swipe their credentials through a card reader to request access. The card reader analyzes a magnetic stripe that is typically found on the back of the card.

For larger organizations that have multiple people accessing the same areas, swipe key cards are an easy-to-use, low-cost solution.

Proximity cards/RFID cards

Proximity cards (also sometimes referred to as smart cards) use radio frequency identification (RFID) to transmit data stored on the card to the card door’s reader.

These cards typically have more storage capacity and include encryption for improved security, making them one of the most commonly used types of security key cards.

THE FUTURE OF CARD ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

With new technology emerging that will shape the future of commercial building security, let’s take a look at what access control might look like in the not-too-distant future.

Mobile access control

In the digital era we find ourselves in, most Americans own a smartphone. As a result, it’s only natural that mobile credentials will play a critical role in the future of access control systems.

Mobile credentials provide a safer and more convenient option for access control and also offer remote access capabilities. Additionally, cloud-based systems are often used hand-in-hand with mobile access control. Watchmen Security is the leading Brivo dealer in the midwest and is very experienced in the area of mobile door access on Smartphones.  

Biometric technology

Biometric technology, such as facial recognition, is rapidly gaining popularity as the demand for touchless access control systems grows. Millions of people are already using face ID on their smartphones, and the trend is spreading to other areas of the security industry.

Recommended Read The Latest Access Control Technology: A Move Into the Future

WATCHMEN SECURITY CAN MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS REMAINS SAFE AND SOUND

If you’re looking to add an extra layer of security to your place of business without disrupting your daily business operations, mobile door access and card access control systems are an excellent place to start.

Whether you manage a small business or a large facility, mobile door access and card access control systems can help you ensure the safety of your employees, customers, and data 24/7. As we conduct building security audits we often find that existing card access systems are outdated and not cyber secure. A complimentary security audit from Watchmen Security will provide you with the peace of mind that your building and cyber assets are secure.

If you’d like to learn more about how a mobile door access and card access control system could benefit your building or facility, contact Watchmen Security today. We understand the importance of ensuring your commercial building’s safety and security.

Our dedication to providing our customers with the safest and most secure mobile door access and card access control systems is one of the primary reasons why we continue to be one of the top commercial security system providers in the Kansas City area.

Ready for Reliable Security?

Don't deal with the stress of not knowing who is coming in and out of your building, wondering if your cameras work or not, or wait until your system fails to prevent crime. Get in contact with Watchmen Security today for a free quote.