When it comes to looking after your home or business property, protecting it from crime is a necessary evil. While you might wish you could simply focus on mowing the lawns and painting the walls, the truth is that protecting your home or business property from crime is essential.
The statistics surrounding just home burglaries alone prove just how urgent the need is, as in 2019 there were over 1 million burglaries in the United States. This crime accounts for over 16 per cent of all property crimes, caused an estimated $3 billion in property losses for victims of burglary.
Homeowners might think they are safe in a neighborhood watch area however as popular as these signs are, not many burglars will be deterred by them. Home and commercial property security is an ever-growing market due to the rise in crime protection, but only 17 per cent of US homes have a security system in place. This is a dangerous statistic to be part of, as burglars are three times more likely to go for properties that haven’t implemented a security system.
Evidently, with the dangers out there, it’s time to take action to protect your property and the valuables and personnel within. This is why it is vital to do your research when it comes to software and hardware for access control – you need to weigh up the different options available and find the right solution for you.
While the software manages and directs the system the hardware encompasses the various devices and appliances that work together to lock and unlock doors and gain access to a property. In this article we will discuss what access control hardware is, what types are available, and which one would be best for you, your property or your business.
What is Access Control Hardware?
An access control system is well oiled combination of hardware and software, and access control hardware involves the physical components and devices that make up that system. The major, most obvious forms of access control come in the form of physical security, things like doors, locks, and card readers. Further to this are the credentials that individuals use to access a property, domestic or commercial. These includes things like keys or fobs. Also included within the expansive term of access control hardware are the internal components that keep the system running, elements like wiring ang servers. Traditionally, access control systems were completely hardware based with things like locks and keys providing adequate security. However, in this day in age, access control systems have the added advantage of software to improve security measures in order to match the threats of the modern day. With the implementation of technology and software, access control systems can use the power of the internet, the cloud, and other advances to create a modern, secure system.
The Different Types of Access Control Hardware
There are three main categories of hardware for access control, these being security, internal and tenant hardware. With these categories fall the several different elements of hardware that work together to form an access control system. We will delve into these three categories in a little more detail:
- Security hardware. Examples of security hardware include door locks, readers, keypads, and Request to Exit devices. Even within these subcategories are various forms of hardware, each providing different advantages. For example, door locks are a basic necessity for security found in almost every building. While an analogue door lock is the traditional option, there is no way to add on an intercom or any device to gain access remotely. Therefore, electronic locks have the upper hand and there are two main kinds of electronic locks to choose from. Maglocks, or magnetic locks, are operated by the use of a constant stream of electricity that flows to a magnet found inside the door’s locking mechanism, keeping the door locked. An access control system stops that electrical current, breaking the magnetic bond and allowing the door to open. Alternatively, an electric strike lock adds a piece of metal to the traditional door strike that controls whether a door is locked or not. This piece of metal can be moved by an electrical signal with a burst of power needed to open the door momentarily. Another example of security hardware is a reader, a scanner that reads a person’s credentials to allow them access. Furthermore, keypads are another alternative that allows entry once the correct PIN number has been entered manually by the user. When security is needed to leave an area or a building, a Request to Exit (REX) device can be used to unlock a door without needing a security credential.
- Internal hardware. Internal hardware involves all the hardware used behind the scenes of a security system. Serves, either cloud-based or on the property, assist in storing all of the information that is required. Wiring carries the power or internet connection the various components of the system but while it provides a level of reliability, it is also more expensive to install and maintain.
- Tenant or user credentials. Things like keys and fobs form the user credentials that someone needs to gain access into a property. Keys can be in the form of either analogue or electronic, to suit the lock in place. Fobs are small, often plastic, devices that commonly use an RFID tag to allow access.
What Hardware for Access Control Should You Invest In?
When it comes to protecting your property, domestic or commercial, it’s important to choose a control system that works best for you. Evidently there many different options to choose from, but a lot of your decision will be based on what you are wanting to control access to. It may be that different areas of one building require different solutions. The best experience and protection will come when you put in the time and effort to fully understand your needs and the needs of your users and choose a system that works for everyone.
