Access Control Door Hardware

Access control door hardware is a large subsection of devices that establish security inside a building. It refers to the physical components used in access control systems to manage and control entry into a building or area. These hardware components work together to authenticate individuals, grant or deny access based on permissions, and track entry and exit activities. 

What is Access Control Door Hardware?

Access control door hardware forms the cornerstone of access control systems, tasked with overseeing and governing entry to different sections within a building or premise. This hardware is pivotal in upholding security standards and safeguarding valuable assets by permitting access exclusively to authorized individuals.

The complexity of it can vary widely, ranging from simple devices like buttons to advanced technologies such as infrared motion and proximity sensors. These components work in conjunction to create a layered security approach, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the access control system.

Some Common Access Control Hardware Includes: Card Readers, Keypads, Biometric Readers, Electric cylindrical and mortise locks, Door Strikes, Controllers, Electric Latch Retraction kits, Electrified Exit Devices, Turnstiles, Intercoms, Access Cards, Magnetic locks, and Key Fobs.

Importance of Usage of Access Control Hardware

  1. Enhanced Security: It helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, or other security breaches.
  2. Protection of Assets: By controlling who can enter specific areas, it helps protect valuable assets such as equipment, inventory, and sensitive information.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are required to comply with regulations regarding access control and security. Using access control hardware can help meet these requirements.
  4. Safety: It can also contribute to safety by limiting access to hazardous areas or ensuring that only trained personnel can enter certain locations.
  5. Convenience: Modern access control systems often offer convenient ways to manage access, such as using key cards or biometric scanners, making it easier for authorized personnel to enter secure areas.
  6. Monitoring and Reporting: It can provide valuable data on who accessed certain areas and when, which can be useful for monitoring employee attendance, investigating incidents, or conducting audits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The three types of access control hardware are discretionary access control (DAC), managed access control (MAC), and role-based access control (RBAC). DAC gives the business owner or manager the ability to dictate access rights over every employee or user. This is common in smaller businesses or low-scale operations that don’t require a dedicated high-level employee to oversee business security. MAC gives one person, such as a chief security officer or similar position, the ability to designate and enforce access permissions across the entire organization on a case-by-case basis. This is common in operations when a high level of security and confidentiality is required to compartmentalize knowledge or building access. RBAC is common among large businesses that want to restrict access based on the role of an employee or outside person. These roles are usually decided by a systems administrator. For example, a lower-level employee will have basic access to areas they need to complete their job while a higher-level executive will have near unlimited access across the building.

The best type of access control depends on your needs as a company. Different companies will benefit more from one type of access control over another. Identify your business’s personal needs and find the corresponding type of access control from above.

Fail-safe locking systems will unlock doors in the event of a power outage. Fail-secure access control systems will lock the latch in the strike during a power outage. Fail-secure locks are great at keeping areas with sensitive information secure in the event of a power outage but can cause safety concerns in other areas. Fail-secure locks can be a hindrance to egress in an emergency if used on emergency doors or in fire escape stairwells.

An electronic lock, also known as an electric strike, is typically fail-secure. They require power to unlock the door and in the event of an outage will keep the door securely locked until powered again. Magnetic locks, or maglocks, are generally fail-safe. Without power, the electromagnetic lock will not keep the latch locked in the strike and the door will be freely unlocked until power is returned to the device.