Access Control: How do we choose the right system for you?
Inner Range Inception – Single Site
The Inner Range Inception Access Control System is a game-changer for businesses looking to enhance their security infrastructure. Here are some key benefits:
User-Friendly Interface:
Inception is designed with simplicity in mind. Its intuitive web-based interface allows for easy setup, programming, and operation, even without technical expertise. This means you can manage your access control system efficiently without the need for extensive training.
Comprehensive Security Features:
Inception offers robust security features, including support for standard access credentials like cards, facial recognition, and mobile phone-based tokens. It also supports up to 128 doors and 10,000 users, making it suitable for small to medium-sized installations.
Smart Building Integration:
Inception seamlessly integrates with smart building systems, allowing you to control lighting, air conditioning, and other building systems through the same platform. This integration helps in optimizing energy usage and improving overall operational efficiency.
Real-Time Monitoring and Notifications:
With Inception, you get real-time monitoring and notifications. The system supports secure IP-based back-to-base monitoring and optional push notifications to mobile devices, ensuring you’re always informed about any security events.
Cost-Effective Solution:
Inception is budget-friendly and eliminates the need for additional software licenses. Its cloud-based nature means there are no software installation costs, and it can be accessed from any device with a web browser.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Inception is scalable and flexible, making it easy to expand your system as your business grows. It supports a wide range of access control and intruder detection devices, ensuring it can adapt to your evolving security needs.
Comprehensive Reporting:
Inception provides detailed reports such as access history, user permissions, and time on site, which are essential for maintaining security and compliance. These reports can be scheduled and customized to meet your specific requirements.
Enhanced Security with Intruder Detection:
Inception includes intruder detection features, protecting critical assets and managing the safety of staff and visitors. It supports up to 1024 detection points, ensuring comprehensive coverage of your site.
Protege X – Multi Site SaaS with Advanced Integration
The Protege X SaaS System is a next-generation, cloud-based access control and intrusion detection solution designed to provide businesses with unparalleled flexibility and security. Here are some key benefits:
Scalability and Flexibility:
Protege X is built to grow with your business. Whether you have a single property or multiple locations, the system easily scales to accommodate your needs. Adding new sites is as simple as installing a controller and connecting to the cloud server.
Centralized Management:
With Protege X, you can manage all your locations from a single, intuitive interface. This centralized approach simplifies programming, user management, and system updates, ensuring consistency and efficiency across your entire operation.
Enhanced Security:
Powered by Microsoft Azure, Protege X offers robust security features, including multi-factor authentication and industry-leading cybersecurity frameworks. Your data is protected by one of the most secure cloud infrastructure providers in the world.
Real-Time Monitoring and Control:
The Protege Mobile App allows you to monitor and control your sites in real-time from any device with internet access. You can add users, open or lock doors, and generate reports on daily events, all from the convenience of your smartphone.
Comprehensive Reporting:
Protege X includes advanced reporting capabilities with PowerBI, enabling you to visualize data and generate insightful reports. These reports help you make informed decisions and uncover operational efficiencies.
Cost-Effective Solution:
With a subscription-based model and a limited lifetime warranty on connected hardware, Protege X is a cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for additional software licenses and reduces long-term costs.
Future-Proofed Design:
Protege X is designed with future-proofed flexibility in mind. It supports seamless migration from previous systems and ensures your security infrastructure can adapt to evolving business needs.
Gallagher SMB – Multi Site SaaS with a focus on Mobile Apps
The Gallagher SMB SaaS System is a cloud-based, app-driven security solution designed to simplify and streamline security for businesses of all sizes. Here are some key benefits:
User-Friendly App-Based Management:
Gallagher SMB offers an intuitive app that allows you to manage your security system from anywhere, at any time. You can arm and disarm alarms, control doors, and manage users and incidents across multiple sites with ease.
Centralized Multi-Site Management:
With Gallagher SMB, you can manage the security of multiple sites from a single interface. This centralized approach ensures consistency and efficiency in managing your security infrastructure.
Enhanced Security Features:
The system includes robust security features such as intruder detection, access control, and third-party monitoring options. You can arm and disarm areas using your smartphone, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.
Real-Time Notifications and Alerts:
Receive real-time notifications and alerts when a security incident occurs. This allows you to respond quickly and effectively to any potential threats, ensuring the safety of your premises.
Cost-Effective Solution:
Gallagher SMB is a cost-effective solution with a subscription-based model and no need for additional software licenses. The cloud-based nature of the system reduces installation and maintenance costs, making it an affordable option for businesses.
Automatic Updates and Maintenance:
The system automatically updates with the latest features and security patches, ensuring that your security infrastructure is always up-to-date and performing at its best.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Gallagher SMB is designed to be scalable and flexible, accommodating the growth of your business. Whether you have one site or multiple locations, the system can easily adapt to your evolving security needs.
Comprehensive Reporting:
The system provides detailed reports and analytics, helping you make informed decisions and improve your security measures. You can track access history, user permissions, and incident responses to enhance your overall security strategy.
Server Based System (Protege GX & Inner Range Integriti)
Server-based systems like Protege GX and Inner Range Integriti offer robust solutions for businesses seeking comprehensive security and access control. Here are some key benefits:
Centralized Management:
Both Protege GX and Integriti allow for centralized management of multiple sites from a single interface. This simplifies administration, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all locations.
Enhanced Security:
Protege GX and Integriti provide advanced security features, including multi-factor authentication, intruder detection, and integration with smart building systems. This ensures a high level of protection for your assets and personnel.
Real-Time Monitoring and Control:
With real-time monitoring and control capabilities, these systems enable immediate response to security events. You can manage access permissions, monitor critical areas, and receive instant notifications of any incidents.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Both systems are designed to be scalable, accommodating the growth of your business without the need for significant infrastructure changes. They support a wide range of access control and detection devices, making them adaptable to various security needs.
Comprehensive Reporting:
Detailed reporting features allow you to track access history, user permissions, and incident responses. This data is invaluable for maintaining security and compliance, as well as for making informed decisions.
High Availability and Fault Tolerance:
Protege GX and Integriti are built with high availability and fault tolerance in mind. They utilize robust clustering configurations and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous operation, even in the event of a server failure.
Future-Proofed Design:
These systems are designed to be future-proof, supporting seamless integration with new technologies and devices. This ensures that your security infrastructure remains up-to-date and effective over time.
Access Control: How do we design the system?
Common Door Types
Access control systems are versatile and can be installed on a variety of door types to enhance security and manage entry points effectively. Here are some of the most common door types that can be fitted with access control:
Exterior Doors:
These are the main entry points to buildings. Exterior doors, often made of steel or solid wood, benefit greatly from access control systems, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter.
Glass Doors:
Often found in commercial buildings and offices, glass doors can also be equipped with access control systems. Specially designed locks and readers can be used without compromising the aesthetic appeal.
Fire Doors:
These doors, crucial for safety, can be integrated with access control systems to ensure they remain closed and accessible only to authorized personnel during emergencies. This integration helps in maintaining both security and safety standards.
Metal Doors:
Common in industrial settings, metal doors provide robust security when fitted with access control systems. They are durable and can withstand heavy use and harsh conditions.
Wooden Doors:
Widely used in both residential and commercial settings, wooden doors can be easily upgraded with access control systems. The technology can be discreetly installed to maintain the door’s appearance.
Sliding Doors:
Often found in retail and commercial environments, sliding doors can also be secured with access control systems. These systems can be integrated to ensure smooth operation and enhanced security.
Interior Office Doors:
These doors control access within a building, ensuring that only authorized employees can enter sensitive areas. They are essential for protecting data, equipment, and confidential information.
Emergency Exit Doors:
Access control systems on emergency exit doors can ensure they are used only in emergencies while preventing unauthorized access at other times.
Restricted Area Doors:
In facilities that require higher security, such as data centers or labs, access control systems on restricted area doors ensure that only personnel with proper clearance can enter.
Credential Types
Access control systems are essential for ensuring security and managing access to buildings and areas. These systems rely on various types of credentials to grant or deny access. Here are some of the most common types:
Key Cards and Fobs:
Key cards and fobs are widely used due to their convenience and ease of use. They contain embedded chips or magnetic strips that store user information. When swiped or tapped against a reader, they grant access to authorized individuals.
PIN Codes:
Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) are a simple yet effective method. Users enter a unique code on a keypad to gain access. This method is often used in combination with other credentials for added security.
Biometric Scans:
Biometric credentials, such as fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition, offer a high level of security. These scans ensure that only authorized individuals can access secure areas, as biometric data is unique to each person.
Mobile Credentials:
With the rise of smartphones, mobile credentials have become increasingly popular. Users can use their mobile devices to gain access via Bluetooth, NFC, or QR codes. This method is convenient and allows for easy management of credentials.
Proximity Cards:
Proximity cards use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Users simply hold the card near a reader to gain access. These cards are durable and can be read without physical contact, reducing wear and tear.
Smart Cards:
Smart cards are similar to key cards but with enhanced security features. They contain microprocessors that can store and process data, allowing for more complex security protocols and multi-factor authentication.
Wearable Devices:
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and wristbands, can also be used as credentials. These devices communicate with access control systems through Bluetooth or NFC, offering a seamless and convenient way to manage access.
Barcode and QR Code Scans:
Some access control systems use barcodes or QR codes that can be scanned to grant access. These codes can be printed on badges or displayed on mobile devices, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution.
Access Levels
Designing access levels for an access control system is a critical aspect of managing security. It ensures that only authorized personnel have access to specific areas, protecting sensitive information and assets. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design effective access levels:
Identify Areas and Roles:
First, identify all the areas within your facility that require access control. These might include offices, server rooms, storage areas, and more. Then, define the roles within your organization. Each role may have different access requirements based on their responsibilities.
Determine Access Needs:
For each identified role, determine the level of access needed for each area. Consider who needs access, when they need it, and for what purpose. For instance, IT staff might need 24/7 access to server rooms, while cleaning staff may only need access after working hours.
Create Access Groups:
Group roles with similar access needs into access groups. This simplifies the management of access permissions. For example, all administrative staff might belong to one group, while all technical staff belong to another.
Assign Access Levels:
Assign access levels to each group based on their needs. Access levels can range from general access (for common areas) to restricted access (for highly sensitive areas). Ensure that these levels align with your security policies and procedures.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication:
Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for higher security levels. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, enhancing security for critical areas.
Schedule Access Times:
Set specific access times for each group. This means restricting access to certain times of the day or days of the week based on the group’s schedule. This can prevent unauthorized access outside of designated hours.
Regularly Review and Update:
Regularly review and update access levels to ensure they remain relevant to your organization’s needs. As roles change or new areas are added, adjust access permissions accordingly.
Monitor and Audit:
Implement monitoring and audit trails to track access attempts and ensure compliance with your access control policies. Regular audits help identify and address any potential security vulnerabilities.
Conclusion:
Designing access levels requires careful planning and consideration of your organization’s structure and security needs. By identifying areas and roles, determining access needs, creating access groups, assigning access levels, implementing multi-factor authentication, scheduling access times, and regularly reviewing and auditing, you can create a robust access control system that enhances your security posture.
Ready to design your access control system? ZTI Advanced is here to help with expert guidance and cutting-edge solutions.
