In this modern world, security is a top priority for all companies, whether it is an MNC IT organization or just a small business firm. They save sensitive data and physical assets from people looking for valuable business information illegally. And one of the most effective ways to enhance the security levels is Access Control Systems, or ACS. These devices have smart programming through which they read and verify the credentials of a user to grant or deny entry.
Access control systems make sure only authorized people enter a building or premises. They are connected to the central database system, which helps them to verify the credentials of the entering and exiting users. Also, they can keep a record of people going in and out of the premises, including the resources they are taking with them.
However, selecting an access control system for your needs can be a tricky task, which involves carefully checking all the security requirements and various other factors. To make this easy, we have curated this blog to help you understand various types of Access Control Systems, or ACS, and how you can choose the best one for your security needs.
Understanding Different Types of Access Control Systems
Discretionary Access Control or DAC
These access control readers eare best for small and medium-sized organisations, in which the owner or an admin decides who can or cannot enter the premises. They assign them unique IDs, and the system verifies it with the database and grants or denies them entry. This system is not recommended for larger organisations as only a single person can have complete control over it.
Mandatory Access Control or MAC
This access control system is a very secure and advanced system that is used in larger organisations and in government facilities. It has strict policies against unauthorized entries and is governed by a central authority and not by a single person. With this security system, users cannot make changes themselves.
Role-Based Access Control or RBAC
This access control system is installed in an organisation to provide limited access to every user based on his or her role in the company. For instance, a manager can have more authority than regular employees and can access all of their data. It is a widely used ACS, as it is very flexible and scalable.
Rule-Based Access Control
Rule-based access control systems are best for organizations that want to restrict access on the basis of preset rules of specific zones or rooms. For example, an employee can access his cabin only during working hours. Most commonly, these systems are used to access or grant entry to the users based on time.
Biometric Access Control
Biometric access control systems are very secure devices that read the credentials of a person and then verify it with the central database to grant or deny access. The credentials can be a recorded fingerprint, face impression, retina, iris, or voice.
Card-Based Access Control
These access control systems are pretty sorted and secure. They read different types of access cards and verify it with the database to grant or deny entry to the users. An organisation can choose to use smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, or RFID technology for its employees. These types of access control devices are very cost-effective and easy to manage.
How to Choose the Right Access Control Systems for Yourself?
Here are the following points you should consider before sourcing an access control system for your organization:
Business Needs and Security Requirements
You can choose an access control system based on the size of your office space and the nature of your business. If it’s a finance organisation or healthcare facility, then it may require strict access control. For example, a smart card access control system will be best for a small office.
Total Number of Users
Which type of ACS will be best for you also depends on how many members are in your organization. For small to large-sized organizations, you may require a card-based ACS, and for a company with more than 500 employees, an RBAC or cloud-based access will be best for scalability.
Low Maintenance
Choose the access control system or device that has low maintenance requirements. This will help you reduce operational costs and expenses in the future. So, if you want affordability, you can also choose a card or a biometric-based system.
Scalable
Choose the access control system based on scalability, as it will be very cost-effective when you add more employees or expand your business in the future.
