If you are new to what Access Control Systems are, then you have come to the right place! This article is an attempt to explain the birth and importance of access control systems in today’s world. So here are some simple things to help you understand what this is all about:
What do you mean by access control?
Have you ever wondered where the phrase ‘“access control” originated from? Well, look no further because you are about to find out! This phrase has its origins in the twentieth century when limited access roads had become a thing. These were roads that were constructed with the idea of reducing car accidents. These roads forced the traffic to enter and exit through one way ramps, thus preventing cross traffic mishaps. Interestingly, this term has now come to be associated with controlling access to buildings, data and information.
How do they work?
They are quite simple in theory. You have something that needs protection but you cannot have it completely locked away. So what you do is limit access to it, right? Now, how do you ensure that only authorised personnel have access to that something which has to be protected? This is done by providing them with a “key” which can be a swipe card, retina scan or even fingerprint scan. Now, all that the system will be told is to open up the protected something for these select few and when they swipe their card or scan their retina and fingerprint, the system allows them unbiased access. Therefore, it now controls access efficiently as the system has zero chances of making a mistake.
Why do I need them?
You need access control systems for your own protection or of the protection of your data. You get to restrict access to your data and therefore, minimize your liabilities and increase protection.
What are the risks?
The risks factor in when authorized personnel misuse their access powers to your sensitive information. The system recognizes the swipe card or fingerprint as a requirement for access. These can be and have been stolen or lifted in the past. How does one minimize these risks is the next important question then? This is to be done by regular and efficient management of the authorized personnel themselves.
What are the benefits?
The benefits, as discussed already, are manifold. It protects you, it protects your company and its secrets, it protects your home, it protects your employees and it protects everything else when installed to do so. It is simply a system programmed to work a certain way and does so without any discrimination or mistake.
What remains to be understood is that this system is effective only with proper use. However, there are always chances of them being misused by people. It is required to be understood that it is only a programmed system which can and will be manipulated if given a chance. Therefore, in addition to this system, proper management and regulation of the users of this system are also mandatory.
What do you mean by access control?
Have you ever wondered where the phrase ‘“access control” originated from? Well, look no further because you are about to find out! This phrase has its origins in the twentieth century when limited access roads had become a thing. These were roads that were constructed with the idea of reducing car accidents. These roads forced the traffic to enter and exit through one way ramps, thus preventing cross traffic mishaps. Interestingly, this term has now come to be associated with controlling access to buildings, data and information.
How do they work?
They are quite simple in theory. You have something that needs protection but you cannot have it completely locked away. So what you do is limit access to it, right? Now, how do you ensure that only authorised personnel have access to that something which has to be protected? This is done by providing them with a “key” which can be a swipe card, retina scan or even fingerprint scan. Now, all that the system will be told is to open up the protected something for these select few and when they swipe their card or scan their retina and fingerprint, the system allows them unbiased access. Therefore, it now controls access efficiently as the system has zero chances of making a mistake.
Why do I need them?
You need access control systems for your own protection or of the protection of your data. You get to restrict access to your data and therefore, minimize your liabilities and increase protection.
What are the risks?
The risks factor in when authorized personnel misuse their access powers to your sensitive information. The system recognizes the swipe card or fingerprint as a requirement for access. These can be and have been stolen or lifted in the past. How does one minimize these risks is the next important question then? This is to be done by regular and efficient management of the authorized personnel themselves.
What are the benefits?
The benefits, as discussed already, are manifold. It protects you, it protects your company and its secrets, it protects your home, it protects your employees and it protects everything else when installed to do so. It is simply a system programmed to work a certain way and does so without any discrimination or mistake.
What remains to be understood is that this system is effective only with proper use. However, there are always chances of them being misused by people. It is required to be understood that it is only a programmed system which can and will be manipulated if given a chance. Therefore, in addition to this system, proper management and regulation of the users of this system are also mandatory.
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