Category: Security

In the ever-evolving landscape of security technology, biometric access control has emerged as a cutting-edge solution that promises to revolutionize the way we protect our places of business. This technology, which utilizes unique physical or behavioral traits for authentication, has gained substantial attention across the access control industry. However, like any innovation, biometric access control comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Biometric Access Control

• Enhanced Security

One of the most significant advantages of biometric access control is its unparalleled security level. Unlike traditional methods such as passwords or keycards, biometric traits like fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features are nearly impossible to replicate. This dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access and identity fraud.

• Convenience and Speed

Biometric authentication eliminates the need to remember complex passwords or carry physical tokens. Users can gain access simply by presenting their unique traits, making the process nearly effortless. With most biometric access control, all you need to bring is yourself.

• Non-Transferable

Unlike keycards or passwords that can be shared or stolen, biometric traits are inherently tied to the individual. This non-transferable nature ensures that only authorized personnel can access restricted areas.

• Accuracy and Reliability

Biometric systems offer a high level of accuracy and reliability. False positives and false negatives are minimized due to the uniqueness of the biometric traits being used. This accuracy contributes to a robust and dependable security infrastructure.

• Audit Trails

Biometric access control systems often come equipped with audit trail capabilities. This means that administrators can monitor and track who accessed a particular area and when, providing a valuable tool for security and accountability.

Cons of Biometric Access Control

• Initial Costs

Implementing biometric access control systems can come with a significant upfront cost. The technology itself, along with installation, training, and integration, can strain budgets, especially for small businesses or organizations.

• Privacy Concerns

Collecting and storing biometric data raises privacy concerns. Individuals may be hesitant to provide such sensitive information, fearing its misuse or potential data breaches.

• Technical Challenges

Biometric systems can face technical challenges. Factors like environmental conditions (lighting, cleanliness, etc.) can affect the accuracy of recognition. This may lead to instances of legitimate individuals being denied access or unauthorized access being granted.

• Scalability

With biometric systems, scalability can be a concern for larger organizations. Managing a database of biometric templates for a vast number of employees or users can become complex.

• False Rejections

Although biometric systems strive for accuracy, instances of false rejections can occur. Factors like changes in appearance (hairstyle, facial hair, etc.) can lead to the system failing to recognize authorized users.

• Lack of Universality

Not all biometric traits are universal. Some individuals might have physical conditions that prevent certain biometric methods from being effective, limiting the inclusivity of the system.

Biometric access control technology offers a compelling solution for enhancing security and convenience across various domains. Its robustness, accuracy, and non-transferable nature are appealing features, yet the associated costs, privacy concerns, and technical challenges cannot be overlooked. Businesses and organizations considering the adoption of biometric access control must carefully weigh these pros and cons to determine if the technology aligns with their security objectives and resources. As the technology continues to evolve, addressing these challenges could pave the way for an even more secure and efficient future.

Want to learn more about access control? Here are the 12 steps to the access control installation process.

While advancing technology has led to many incredible security improvements in recent years, key fob systems are by far one of the easiest and simplest innovations yet. A key fob entry system combines physical hardware and sophisticated software into a convenient modern package.

Key fob systems are easy enough for everyone to use. In fact, if you have visited a hotel within the last few years, you have likely used this tech yourself to access your room. In addition to the aesthetic perks, key card security systems keep unwanted intruders out while also assisting visitors in real time.

When you need to protect your home or business, contact Alarm New England for a free quote. Discover how we can set up a customized, secure key fob system to suit your needs.

How Do Key Fob Entry Systems Work?

Key fob door entry systems may look different from model to model, but most operate under the same basic principles. The process for using these systems generally includes the same steps:

• Your security card and key fob use electromagnetic or radio wave technology to emit certain wireless signals. You can customize these signals with unique credentials for every user who needs access.
• The access reader system is installed at key entryways, normally right by the door for easy access.
• Anyone wishing to enter the restricted area must first present their credentials. Some key cards only need to be in proximity to the access reader, while others require swiping through a card reader.
• The reader communicates with the card and key fob via wireless signals to verify the credentials. The verification process will vary based on the model of the key card access system.
• If the system recognizes and approves the credentials, the access reader unlocks the door and allows entry.

The process is simple, efficient, and quick. There’s no need to worry about making multiple copies of metal keys, manually paging in visitors, or constantly changing passwords. Instead, users can swipe their cards, scan their credentials, and get on with their work.

Types of Key Fobs and Key Card Access Systems

While all card and key fob systems use similar technology, many types of key access systems are on the market. The best one for you will depend on your security needs and personal preference.

Electromagnetic key cards

Electromagnetic key cards (like Wiegand and swipe key cards) require physical interaction with the reader to work.

Wiegand key cards

Wiegand key cards are one of the oldest versions of electronic key cards on the market today. In these systems, magnetic polarization and specially-made wires transmit data. This data can be almost anything (such as credit card information or medical data) and provides the basis for much of today’s access control tech.

The user usually swipes their Wiegand card through the reader, where the magnetic field in the reader interacts with the wires in the card. These wires will react, and when the wires change in certain ways, the reader translates these signals as the owner’s credentials.

Swipe key cards

Like their Wiegand counterparts, swipe key cards have a magnetized strip coded with a unique pattern. Users swipe these cards (like a credit card) for access. The readers automatically detect predetermined patterns as authorized credentials.

Unlike Wiegand cards, system administrators can wipe and recode swipe cards to program different credentials or rewrite them to work with a separate lock.

Radio frequency cards

Another class of key card access systems uses radio frequency technology to assign credentials.

RFID key cards

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) key fobs and cards emit radio waves to communicate their credentials. The card readers send signals via excite fields. When the corresponding RFID cards are in range of these fields, they relay a signal back to the reader to open the door.

Proximity key cards

Proximity cards work similarly, except their radio frequencies are different from the RFID cards. Users also need to be close to the card reader for the signals to connect.

Passive readers use radio frequencies and require cards to be held closer to the reader to work. “Active readers, on the other hand, generally have their own power source (such as a lithium battery) and work at longer distances.

At Alarm New England, we have experience designing, customizing, and installing both electromagnetic and radio frequency key fob systems. In your consultation, we will discuss your needs to create a key card system suited to your building.

Benefits of Commercial Key Fob Door Entry Systems

Due to their compact size and their prevalence on the market, many companies use these key card systems for business operations that require automated and restricted access. Rather than using biometrics or cumbersome passwords, key fob systems let business owners implement intelligent security measures that still have the same ease as a regular lock and key.

Key fob door entry systems offer many other convenience and security benefits.

Simplified access control

Business owners can quickly and easily add or remove access for individuals from a single dashboard. This makes it easy to:

• Upgrade a user to access more restricted areas
• Quickly onboard a new hire
• Allow temporary access
• Activate new cards in bulk
• Program cards to deactivate automatically after a certain date

Automate access rules and schedules

Key access systems combine the functionality of the physical card with the convenience of an automated system. In addition to unlocking automated doors, users can program their security system to arm and disarm in response to designated employee badges.

Your first employee can disarm the system easily when they first come in for the day, and with a simple double tap of their card, they can arm the system again on their way out of the door.

Intuitive for employees or tenants

Key card systems are easy to use. They completely avoid some of the difficulties of other security measures. Tumbler locks and metal keys are bulky and difficult to operate in poor weather, but tapping your fob against an electronic reader is simple and fast.

As electronic security measures grow more and more popular, having a key card that fits in the credit card slot of your wallet makes life easier for everyone. Most people already know how to use a key card from their own travels, and if they do not, teaching them the process is quick and easy.

Easy administration

Commercial key fob door entry systems help business owners automate their security measures while still giving them the option to track their progress. This trackability is crucial to ensuring your security measures are working as designed.

If breaches ever happen, managers can quickly look up the data for specific readers and see where the disconnect occurred. They can monitor which doors opened, for how long, and who opened them.

If a user ever loses their key card, replacing it is quick and easy. The manager can deactivate their card immediately and reissue a new one with new credentials, which is much faster and cheaper than replacing the entire lock!

Key Card Access Systems for Small Business Security Needs

At Alarm New England, our experienced technicians design, install, and service key card fob systems for businesses of any size.

Key access security locks give small business owners better control over their assets. If you’re constantly on the go, this awareness lets you make informed business decisions anytime, anywhere.

Where can you use a key fob system?

These units are versatile at any scale, even with only a few access readers and a minimal portfolio of access cards. Some common scenarios include:

• Many establishments install access readers outside of employee-only entrances, such as entryways for kitchens and staff-only break areas.
• Businesses with large equipment storage areas (especially those with high-value assets, like computers or construction equipment) install access systems to prevent theft or misuse by employees.
• Private communal living areas, such as college dorms or apartments, employ key card access systems to ensure the safety of their residents.
• Companies with physical file storage, such as small medical clinics or real estate offices, need to ensure that only trained employees have access to these documents.

What can fob key card access systems do for you?

Key fob systems let any business control who has access to their space, staff, and information. Using time-tested electromagnetic technology, these access systems have exponentially improved in recent years, offering users a more streamlined and customizable experience.

These systems are perfect for users who still prefer a physical component to their security measures. Key cards are easily programmed, easy to use, and just as easily replaced if the original card ever gets lost or stolen. This convenience helps lower your operational costs, all without sacrificing your physical security and peace of mind.

If your business could use an efficient and effective key card security system, consider what key fob access control systems could do to keep you safe and productive.

Call Alarm New England at 857-445-4010 to discuss your security and alarm needs and discover what our family-owned, locally operated alarm company can do for you.

Access control is necessary for protecting your business from unauthorized visitors. In addition to providing protection, access control systems bring a host of benefits to help you manage access to areas in your business. There are several main types of access control systems, and each works differently to authorize and control visitors’ and employees’ access to what they need.

Types of Access Control Systems for Your Needs

Access control systems must meet all security needs regarding allowing employees and visitors access to your commercial facility. Your ideal access control type is dependent on your property’s safety and security requirements, as well as the people you intend to involve in your business.

All access control systems create a record in the system’s database when someone uses an access card or other method to enter and exit the premises or access digital resources. The way the owner or system administrator assigns permissions and gives access to employees and other people differs depending on the system type.

Some access control systems are more restrictive while others are more lenient in granting permissions. Many systems are based on the principle of least privilege, which dictates that employees should have no more than the minimal permissions required to perform their job duties adequately.

These strict principles allow employees access to only the exact tools and resources they need for their position and nothing else. Consider the following options when installing an access control system for your business.

Discretionary access control

With a discretionary access control (DAC) system, the company owner determines who can access a particular location. This system also manages access to digital files and other resources. When an employee tries to enter through a particular access point, whether a digital or physical location, the DAC system checks against the list of people who have access and grants it by comparing it to the scanned fingerprint, card, or another form of identification.

DAC has its advantages of being flexible and easy to use, but it requires the owner to manage access actively. It also gives complete access to only one user over all other permissions, which owners can abuse when the permissions provide access to other programs.

Mandatory access control

Also called managed access control, mandatory access control (MAC) is a highly secure access control system standard in companies where confidentiality is necessary. Company owners do not control who has access to classified information or a restricted location, but they can access the MAC system. A system administrator sets all permissions for door entry, which prevents the wrong people from changing permissions and accessing information they don’t have the authority to see.

Mandatory access control is most popular with confidential military data due to its restrictive characteristics. The system sorts everyone who will use the program and either grants or denies access based on the criteria set by the system administrator. That said, the downside with this system is that the system administrator must permit the changes to the access control settings.

Role-based access control

A fast, new system for managing access control in a business is role-based access control (RBAC). Company owners create job titles within the system and assign specific permissions to each job, giving new access more quickly and easily, especially when employees change positions. Users must confirm their role in the system to gain access.

RBAC ensures that those who do not have the proper knowledge cannot perform tasks that require more experience than they have. When an employee gets a promotion, company owners can change their RBAC system role rather than wasting time assigning specific permissions to them. This is incredibly convenient due to the limited amount of time required to alter physical entry permissions or give access to programs for certain company positions.

Rule-based access control

Customization among access control systems is essential in providing the flexibility you need to protect your property, employees, and guests. Rule-based access control adds another layer of specificity to access control. System administrators set rules that determine when and how employees access locations and resources.

Combining rule-based and role-based access control is common to add further access restrictions that narrow permissions down to specific details. While role-based access control allows certain types of employees access on account of their job, rule-based access control can define other conditions such as hours of access.

Attribute-based access control

Another popular and easy-to-use system, attribute-based access control (ABAC) focuses on providing access based on user characteristics. Like rule-based access control, ABAC doesn’t involve employee roles and instead focuses on other factors, including location and group, to allow the system to grant access to employees.

Company owners can assign different types of attributes to employees, such as:

1. Resource attributes: File names, file owners, and other digital characteristics
2. Subject attributes: Department, group, security clearance level, and personal characteristics
3. Action attributes: Characteristics involving how someone wants to act in order to access a resource
4. Environmental attributes: External and contextual attributes such as visitor access time or company policies

Identity-based access control

Identity-based access control (IBAC) bases access control permission off of biometrics. Fingerprints and face structure are unique ways to give an individual access to areas within a business. Because face structure, fingerprints, and eye patterns are specific to each person, an IBAC system creates a simple way to control access without the chance of mistaken identity.

Smartphones, touchscreen systems, face scanners, touchpads, and more allow biometrics to form the basis for security at your business. Access control systems with video cameras and biometric detection give double assurance that customers will not have access to employee-only areas and that employees will have access solely to their assigned areas.

Choosing a Type of Access Control for Your Needs

Whether you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, Alarm New England can help you decide which type of access control is right for your security needs. Call a security specialist at 857-445-4010 to discuss your requirements for an access control system you can trust.