What is access control?

Access control grants and restricts access permissions to authorised personnel, usually via a physical credential, such as a fob or card, or using biometric technology. Access control systems authenticate and authorise users based on the specific permissions set by an organisation or company. Access is usually granted by the unlocking of doors or disabling of alarms. Most access control systems include monitoring capabilities to track and record access activities. This can include logging entry and exit times, capturing images or video recordings of individuals, and generating audit trails to maintain a record of access. Access control systems may incorporate additional security measures to enhance protection, such as multi-factor authentication and time-based access restrictions. Access control systems can be tailored to suit the requirements of a building or company, accounting for size, number of people and complexity of access permissions.