Securing your business premises is paramount to ensure the safety and security of your staff, customers, and assets. Traditional methods, such as key-based access control systems, are becoming increasingly outdated due to their vulnerability to theft, duplication, and tampering. In fact, a study by SC Magazine found that over 80% of reported security breaches were due to authentication failures. Smart card access control systems provide a much more secure solution for businesses looking to protect their premises from unauthorized entry.
By using smart cards with built-in authentication technology, businesses can add an extra layer of protection against potential intruders and malicious actors.
In this blog, we’ll go over the basics of a smart card access control system and how it can help protect your business.
What Is an Access Control System and How Does It Work?
An access control system is a form of security that restricts access to physical areas in a business property. It typically uses electronic authentication measures such as PIN codes, smart cards, biometric scans, etc., to grant or deny access.
The system verifies the user’s identity before allowing them to proceed. In the case of a smart card access control system, when an authorized individual presents their card, it communicates with the lock and sends its authentication information which will be verified against the system’s database. If the person is allowed entry, then the door will unlock and allow them to pass through.
According to the security protocol, the system may also keep a record of who has access to which lock and at what time. This can be used to detect any suspicious activity or identify any potential security breaches that have taken place.
From an administrative standpoint, an access control system contains a monitoring portal or dashboard. This allows the administrators to manage and monitor who can access what areas and when. They can also create, edit or delete user profiles and set up automated tasks such as temporary lockouts for certain users.
What Are Smart Cards?
Smart cards are typically issued by the business to staff, customers or visitors. They contain embedded electronics that enable them to read and write data such as their personal identification number (PIN), name, address, phone number, and other important information pertinent to the access control system.
Smart cards also have an authentication measure built in, which requires two-factor authentication – i.e.; a user must enter their PIN into the smart card along with another authentication measure such as biometric scanning (fingerprint or retina scan). This adds an extra layer of security, making it much more difficult for unauthorized people to gain access.
The door locks used with these systems are upgraded with additional electronics that allow them to communicate with smart cards.
What Are The Benefits of Smart Card Access Control Systems?
Smart card access control systems offer a range of benefits for businesses looking to improve their security. Let’s look at some of the most notable:
Streamline Accessibility for Employees
Using a smart card access control system can help streamline the process of allowing authorized personnel access to restricted areas. Employees no longer need to carry around multiple ID cards or remember complex passwords; instead, they only need their personal smart cards. This not only makes it easier for employees to gain access but also reduces the time it takes for administrators to issue new or replacement cards.
Improved Security Management
The ability to assign specific roles and privileges to each user makes it much easier to manage security within an organization. Administrators can quickly and easily assign permissions to users and set access limits for certain resources. This prevents malicious actors from gaining unauthorized access, as any attempts to bypass the system will be detected immediately.
Cost Savings
Smart card access control systems are relatively inexpensive when compared to other, more traditional forms of security. The cards themselves are relatively affordable and require minimal maintenance. Additionally, since they are reusable, businesses don’t have to constantly order new cards if an employee leaves or is reassigned – they can simply reassign the existing card, saving time and money in the process.
Enhanced Surveillance Capabilities
Using a smart card access control system allows businesses to monitor who is entering and leaving their premises. This can be invaluable for businesses that must keep track of who is visiting certain areas or how long they stay in a particular space. Additionally, the data from the cards can be used to generate reports which provide valuable insights into personnel movements within the organization.
Prevent Data Breaches
Using a two-factor authentication process – i.e., requiring users to enter their PIN along with another form of identification, such as biometrics – makes it much more difficult for malicious persons or hackers to gain unauthorized access. Smart card access control systems also feature enhanced encryption methods, which prevent any data theft attempts, helping protect sensitive information at all times.
Comply With Industry Regulations or Security Standards
Smart card access control systems are ideal for businesses that need to comply with industry regulations or security standards. The advanced encryption and authentication measures make it much easier to meet these requirements, as the system is designed with security in mind from the outset. By using a smart card access control system, businesses can rest assured that their premises are secure and compliant.
Seamless Integration With Existing Systems
Another great benefit of using a smart card access control system is that it can be easily integrated with existing systems. This allows businesses to leverage the data stored on their cards and use it within their other applications, such as accounting software or customer relationship management (CRM) platforms.
Use Cases For Smart Card Access Control Systems
Most businesses can benefit from a smart card access control system, especially if they have sensitive areas that need to be kept secure. Let’s look at some example scenarios:
Retail stores
With a smart card access control system, retailers can restrict which employees can access certain areas. This is particularly useful for areas containing expensive merchandise or valuable documents that should not be accessible to everyone.
Office Buildings
Businesses can use the system to maintain security in common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and other communal facilities. With a smart card-based access control system, admins can easily manage employee privileges and monitor who has access to what areas at any given time.
Education
Universities with sprawling campuses are in particular need of comprehensive security systems. Access control provides an extra layer of security to keep students away from faculty parking lots, strangers out of dorm rooms, and more. Access control systems are a great way to safeguard expensive lab equipment and computers for added security. By programming the system, only those enrolled in specific courses can gain entry into these restricted areas.
Healthcare
In order to comply with HIPPA regulations, the healthcare sector must utilize access control systems to ensure the complete confidentiality of health data. With a card access control system, healthcare institutions can securely manage employee credentials and monitor any suspicious activity.
Government
Local and state governments can use access control systems to secure government facilities, such as public offices, courtrooms, and other sensitive areas. Access control systems provide an efficient and secure way to verify employees and restrict access to specific areas, such as departments, and confidential data, while still allowing public access in other sections.
Worship Centers
Worship centers can benefit from smart card access control systems in several ways. Smart cards enable secure, easy, and fast access control for religious spaces by granting pre-programmed permissions to staff and members. Smart card access control systems also allow worship centers to easily manage large numbers of people entering and leaving the space at any given time while maintaining safety and security.
Bottom Line
As you can see, a smart card access control system is an ideal way to improve the security of your business. From retail stores to government offices, these systems provide secure authentication measures that allow businesses to protect their premises and confidential information while still providing easy access for authorized personnel.
Wired In Tech Services is an industry leader in providing comprehensive Access Control installation and services. Our team of experienced technicians is available to provide professional and reliable solutions to meet your business security needs. Contact us today to learn more about how Smart Card-Based Access Control Systems can help keep your premises secure and compliant.
