In the fields of physical security and information security, access control (AC) is the selective restriction of access to a place or other resource.The act of accessing may mean consuming, entering, or using. Permission to access a resource is called authorisation. Locks and login credentials are two analogous mechanisms of access control.
System access control is a security technique that regulates who or what can view or use resources in a computing environment. It is a fundamental concept in security that minimises risk to the business or organisation. There are two types of system access control: physical and logical.
Physical access control is a matter of who, where, and when. An access control system determines who is allowed to enter or exit, where they are allowed to exit or enter, and when they are allowed to enter or exit. Historically, this was partially accomplished through keys and locks. In todays world, it is done using sophisticated gates and electronics to give access, monitor people and manage crowds.
Access control system components:
Various control system components
Components of an access control system include:
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An access control panel (also known as a controller)
An access-controlled entry, such as a door, turnstile, parking gate, elevator, or other physical barrier.
- A reader installed near the entry. (In cases where the exit is also controlled, a second reader is used on the opposite side of the entry.)
- Locking hardware, such as electric door strikes and electromagnetic locks
A magnetic door switch for monitoring door position.
- Request-to-exit (RTE) devices for allowing egress. When a RTE button is pushed, or the motion detector detects motion at the door, the door alarm is temporarily ignored while the door is opened.
- A sophisticated software to manage all operations of day-to-day basis
