Understanding Access Control Systems Types Of Door Access Control Systems: Generally defined, access control systems are systems that are designed to restrict or prevent entrance to areas of a building or other secure area. These types of systems are also designed to provide protection on a 24/7 basis, with companies that utilize these systems using specific locks combined with special login credentials as a way to assist with enhancing their security measures. Typically, if a business has a space that requires a limited amount of access, such as an area commonly restricted to authorized personnel only, this is a space that should have an access control system of some sort installed. Some of the most common types of credentials that are involved with the use of access control systems include key fobs, access cards, numeric codes, biometrics, and more. With these types of credentials, access control systems will be able to easily provide access that is both convenient and quick to all authorized personnel while, at the same time, monitoring and tracking those who enter the space. Some of the reasons as to why businesses decide to install access control systems include the following: *The increased level of overall security, as access control systems can essentially prevent any and all unauthorized individuals from obtaining access to areas that they typically shouldn’t have access to. *They are required to meet specific standards of compliance, as well as submit reports to government agencies and maintain certain procedures and policies in order to ensure that all of their operations meet the standards and laws for the industry in which they operate. *To help reduce internal theft, as access control systems help to create checks and balances by tracking both entry and exit to all secure areas. In terms of the actual process of how access control systems operate, this involves the following: *An individual must first present their credentials to a reader. *The reader will then forward the credentials that have been presented to an access control unit or a control panel. *The request will then be processed, in which the presented credentials are compared with a control list. *If the presented credentials are shown to be a match, a signal is sent from the control panel to the relay and the door is then unlocked. However, if the