Guest Article Contributed by Security101.com

Building a business requires you to consider various factors to ensure its success. You must think about the quality of the products/services, the branding and many more essential factors that help your business grow. Certain things threaten the integrity of your business, and you must find optimal solutions to prevent unfortunate events. The types of access control you install play a significant role in your security.

Your business must provide safety measures to protect valuable assets such as confidential information. An access control system is one of the best ways to keep your business safe.

You have multiple options for access control systems that offer you the possibility to grant access rights, limit access and restrict access on-premises. By gaining total control over who can enter the building, you can assure your business stays secure. 

What is Access Control Security?

As technology evolves, new security systems are created to optimize the safety of your business. There are two types of access control that you can implement: 

1. Physical Security Access Control

Whether you’re operating security for an enterprise, educational institution, healthcare facility, or commercial real estate building, you must protect your physical space. Physical access control restricts who can access your facility by using an electronic operating system. This system relies on user credentials and access card readers. 

2. Logical Security Access Control

Logical access control uses authentication and authorization processes to evaluate login credentials (passwords, personal identification numbers, biometric scans) to restrict sensitive information access. 

A system administrator will be in charge of the access control lists and being able to modify access privileges. Ensuring your customers that you provide the mandatory access control system and have complete control over your building’s security will significantly improve your business. 

What are the 5 Different Types of Access Control Systems?

Commercial security systems are a necessity if you want to prevent potential disruption in your workplace.  Security 101, a leading integrator, develops unique security solutions designed especially for you. We provide different types of access control systems and access control models to protect sensitive data. The following five types of access control are the most effective in preventing unauthorized users from breaching your security.

1. Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

If you’re looking for tight, restrictive protection, Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is one of the most secure types of systems. Only the system administrator can grant access rights. A MAC system allows you to give specific tags to employees, creating a digital security profile. 

MAC systems are used by government institutions, especially for their high levels of confidentiality. Depending on the level of the employee, you will allocate specific tags that grant limited access to sensitive data. Your employees will not be able to change permissions and gain access to system resources that are out of their designated accessibility area.

2. Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

While MAC systems give complete control to the system administrator, other systems offer more control to the business owner. System administrators will create an initial hierarchy containing files for access control. You can change permission however you see fit, whether you grant or deny access for specific users. 

While implementing a discretionary access control system allows you to give credentials to your employees, this type of end-user control might lead to some security breaches if not used cautiously. Discretionary access control (DAC) is also requires more maintenance than the MAC models. 

3. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Suppose you want even more flexibility than what DAC systems offer. In that case, you can opt for a role-based access control system (RBAC). This system allows you to classify your employees and grant access only in areas related to their job functions. Business owners prefer this type of access control due to its ability to assign access based on the employee’s role in the company. 

User access is created according to the needs of your business, including resources, environment, job type, and specific location. An RBAC system allows you to sort through your company’s resources and customize the access policies. RBAC systems ensure that lower-level employees have restricted access to document files irrelevant to their work.

4. Rule-Based Access Control

Rule-based access control systems are part of the more customizable options for a security system. You must create an access control list containing the company’s rules and policies. The operating system checks these resources before allowing users to access the files. This type of access control works together with the role-based one discussed above. 

5. Attribute Access Control

Attribute-based access control provisioning (adding and removing credentials) based on user characteristics like job role, user ID or membership. You can import attributes from various databases to ensure that only trusted authorized users can use the available resources.

What Type of Access Control Does My Business Need?

Depending on your business type, you might need different levels of access control to ensure that there is no data breach or disruptions. 

In the end, it’s essential to improve building security by implementing new technology systems. Commercial properties are prone to security breaches, so you must build a smart access control system. Here are a couple of access control system examples to consider:

1. License Plate Recognition

If your business offers private parking lots, installing a license plate recognition system might be easier than providing all employees with access cards. This system works by installing a fixed camera that can capture and read license plates to identify the number and give or deny access. 

These cameras have high-definition properties and link to analytic software, allowing them to recognize license plates. Additionally, the recognition process is fast, sometimes taking only half a second to read, recognize and offer access.

2. Connect with Video Management

When your business bases its activity on data security, you must provide the highest levels of access control. Your customers trust you with their confidential information, and you must live up to it. 

Access control with video verification is becoming increasingly popular for enterprises requiring elevated security. Suppose the cameras detect a potential security breach at a door. In that case, they will send an alert to a central operator who will verify the situation. 

Cloud-based access control makes it easy to sync door monitoring with video management. With API integrations, IT and security teams can simply enter a key and get started. Features often include a unified video wall, camera mapping and live video streams. 

3. Upgrading to Smart Card Technology

Mechanical locks are a thing of the past. Storing important data requires you to ensure maximum security, so opting for advanced technology is an important step.

There are various access control cards, all of which have pros and cons. For example, although magnetic stripe cards are an improvement, they suffer damage over time. 

Furthermore, proximity cards might be more convenient due to their contact-free system. Unfortunately, they contain a serial number that can be easily copied or hacked, breaching the security of your building.

Smart card technology offers the optimal solution. This system works as a two-way authenticator, storing employees’ data such as credentials, pictures, and work schedules. 

4. Biometric Integration

Biometric technologies have significantly evolved in recent years. The most popular biometric technologies are face recognition and fingerprint identification. 

Companies often use biometric technologies alongside other forms of credentials — this is known as two-factor authentication. For example, a key card might be used with fingerprint identification to double-check the individual who wants to enter the premises. Additionally, an employer can use fingerprint identification to track the employees’ whereabouts to avoid particular unpleasant circumstances.

5. NFC and Smartphone Applications

Commercial Access Control Systems & Installation Services introduced the NFC system or near-field communication as one of the newest technologies on the market. NFC is perpetually used as a smartphone component, so your phone can become a smart card. Smartphones are potentially better options than smart cards due to their security options: PIN, passwords, fingerprint identification and facial recognition. 

Genea makes going mobile simple. With Genea Access Control, users can leverage the latest NFC and Bluetooth technology for quick facility access. Add digital credentials to their Android and iPhone remotely, without ever stepping foot into your building. Additionally, IT and security teams can also take advantage of the Genea’s unique integration with Apple Wallet.

Your employees are less likely to forget their phones at home than a smart card, and you will not have to cover additional replacement costs for lost keys or cards. If the employee loses their phone, you can easily disable the credentials from the particular device for no cost.

Installing Genea Access Control with Security 101Security 101 takes pride in providing Genea Access Control to our customers. We approach every installation with a “whatever it takes” attitude. Contact us today to learn more about access control system types and which one you might need for your business.