Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 58 | Page 22

LATEST INTELLIGENCE ADVANCED PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL SECURITY MEASURES PRESENTED BY One of the first systems installed when securing an organisation is the access control system, which controls access into and out of one or more facilities. tangible or intangible objects that prove the identity of an individual like a password (something they know), an access control badge (something they have) or a biometric feature (something they are). Download whitepaper here Beyond installing readers, deploying door controllers, configuring software and issuing credentials, organisations have a number of potential tools at their disposal to protect their people and assets. Physical Access Control is about protecting people and assets. The primary focus is to keep an area secure by restricting access to unauthorised personnel. An electronic Access Control System (ACS) controls entry and exit to rooms or facilities using a wide range of credentials. Credentials can refer to Based on the credentials presented, an ACS determines who is allowed and where and when they are allowed to go. Basically, once credentials are verified and the ACS grants access to the authorised cardholder, an access control point, which can be a door, turnstile or other physical barrier where access is electronically controlled, is unlocked and the transaction is recorded by the system. In addition, the system also monitors the doors and sends alarms such as when a door is forced open or held open too long after being unlocked. • 22 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com