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Physical access control systems (PACS) are critical in managing access to businesses and protecting high-value assets and people. Regardless of the business you’re managing, access control systems offer a more effective and modern solution than the traditional lock and key.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about physical access control, including how it works, its benefits, the different types, and the features to consider when evaluating a solution.
A physical access control system (PACS) is a security solution that manages who can enter parts of a property and when those areas are accessible.
Rather than relying on traditional keys, physical access control systems use credentials such as key cards, mobile devices, PIN codes, key fobs, or biometrics to verify whether a person has permission to enter a specific area.
The goal of a physical security access control system is to prevent unauthorized access while enabling those with permission to enter freely with as little friction as possible. These systems also record entry events, allowing owners and managers to easily review access logs that assist in investigations.
Access control works by taking advantage of specific components that enable and restrict access to areas.
We break down each of these components below and explain how they interact with each other.
The credential is the method by which an individual is granted or denied access. Credentials can be physical or electronic, and they are tied to an individual’s personal information, such as their name and title.
Common access control credentials include:
While doors are the most common access points, other access points include elevators, gates, garage doors, parking arms, and more. Access points serve as barriers and are secured via a locking mechanism.
Doors are typically secured in place by a magnetic lock (maglock) or electric strike lock. Of course, other types of access points may be secured in different methods as well.
Access readers are located near the access point. If it’s a door, you’ll find the reader on the wall next to it or directly on the door.
When a person wants to access an area, they present their credentials to the reader. Then, that reader takes the information given and sends it to the control panel.
The control panel acts as the brain of the system. It determines if the credential presented to the reader is authorized to enter the area. To do this, it compares the credential information with the information it can access via the on-site server or cloud-based platform.
If the system sees the credential has permission to enter the area, it sends a signal to the reader to unlock the door. The reader then sends a signal to the door lock, granting the individual access.
Access control systems offer significant advantages for businesses implementing them across their facility. They not only improve overall security but also help in other areas, like visitor management and operations.
The most obvious advantage is improved security, which is critical in protecting your investment and the people who interact with it.
Access control systems achieve enhanced security by:
For the reputation and health of your business, employee and customer safety should be a top priority. Access control supports workplace safety by restricting access to potentially harmful areas for unauthorized individuals.
Additionally, access control helps prevent threats from spreading throughout a building. Limiting access to specific areas keeps them contained and helps protect more people.
Traditional lock-and-key systems are stressful to manage and can be administrative challenges. When an employee leaves or loses their key, businesses have to change the locks. Otherwise, they face the risk of someone accessing the building and causing serious harm. Managing keys with a dozen or hundreds of employees with varying levels of access is tiresome.
Access control systems simplify the process because they:
If your business regularly hosts visitors, access control systems are effective at managing them. Many systems support temporary credentials that only grant access to specific areas. In turn, you don’t have to worry about your guest returning their credential as it will be deactivated at a certain time, and they can only enter designated areas you choose. Not to mention, all their access history is recorded in the system for you to review at any time.
One of the most valuable aspects of a PACS is visibility. Every access event is logged in the system for admins to review.
Through the access log, admins can see:
As a result of these details, businesses have more information to act on investigations. They can better narrow down possible culprits and hold individuals accountable.
Access control systems cut down on tedious admin tasks, such as reassigning keys or changing locks to prevent unauthorized access.
Your access control system should make managing access easy by automatically revoking access when employees leave. And with a role-based access control system, upgrading or downgrading access is as easy as assigning them a new role.
This way, you spend less time managing keys and locks and more time performing critical tasks to keep your business safe and successful.
Many industries require organizations to maintain strict access. Access control systems support these compliance regulations by providing detailed records of access events, reporting tools, and documentation.
Healthcare, education, finance, and government agencies often rely on access control to support their security compliance.
Physical access control manages access to physical spaces, such as buildings, parking lots, offices, warehouses, etc.
Logical access control manages access to digital systems and data, such as computer networks, databases, emails, and software applications.
Here’s an overview of the differences:
| Physical Access Control | Logical Access Control |
|---|---|
| Manages access to physical spaces. | Manages access to digital systems. |
| Uses cards, fobs, PIN codes, and biometrics for granting access. | Uses passwords and multifactor authentication to grant access. |
| Controls access to buildings and rooms. | Controls access to applications, networks, and data. |
When deciding on a physical access control system, you’ll need to decide which type of deployment is right for you.
A cloud access control system stores and manages data in the cloud, eliminating the need for an on-site server. Admins can manage permissions, grant access, and review audit logs from anywhere through a web browser or mobile app.
Cloud-based access control systems have grown in popularity because they don’t require an on-prem server to manage, which can be tedious for some businesses.
With a cloud-based access control solution, you can:
Before choosing a cloud access control system, you should evaluate your network reliability and any regulations you may need to comply with.
On-prem access control uses a non-site server to manage access permissions and data. Many organizations that have to comply with security regulations or maintain strict internal security policies take advantage of on-prem deployments.
With on-prem access control, organizations get:
While on-prem solutions are best for high-security organizations. These systems require a dedicated IT team for maintenance and need server space, so they may not be right for every business.
Hybrid systems combine cloud and on-premises functionality. These solutions provide a balance between centralized cloud management and local infrastructure control.
Hybrid deployments are often suitable for organizations transitioning toward cloud technologies while maintaining existing investments.
When searching for an access control system, there are specific features you should prioritize, as they will help your business operate more efficiently and elevate your security.
The best access control solutions offer flexible deployment. While you may need an on-prem system now, you may want to upgrade in the future or expand your solution to cloud capabilities.
Stick to a system that can do both. That way, you can stick with one vendor, saving you time and money. Not to mention, you and your team won’t have to learn the system entirely from scratch. Cloud and on-prem solutions will have some similarities, especially when they come from the same brand.
Access control systems pair well with other security solutions, like intrusion alarms and video surveillance. Once integrated, your business has a stronger security posture than one that only has a single system.
Access control and video surveillance integration provide a full picture of an access event. The access log provides credential details, while the video footage gives you more context of the event. In turn, your investigations are more effective because they have additional information to work from. These systems are also better at identifying threats sooner and stopping them earlier.
Learn how to add VIGIL Video to the INFINIAS CLOUD dashboard:
You can’t always be on site to handle security incidents, review reports, manage permissions, and perform other admin duties. For this reason, you need a system that’s accessible while you’re away. As a result, you have better insight into your business operations without being there, and you can save time without having to visit the site each time you want to make a change.
Remote management capabilities should include:
Your access control solution should support the credentials you need. Consider a solution that offers a variety of options, as you may need to change credentials in the future. Not to mention, you can offer users the flexibility of accessing areas the way they prefer.
Choose a system that supports the following:
Elevators can serve as security challenges, which is why your solution should manage access to them. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access to specific levels of your business while supporting easy access for authorized employees.
It also helps better manage visitors, keeping them from accessing unnecessary levels and restricting them to the ones that are relevant to them.
The rules of your access control system should flex to your business’s requirements. Look for an access control solution that enables customizable rules, allowing you to simplify administration workflows and improve efficiency across your organization.
Some rules you may want to tailor include:
You should prioritize solutions that are simple to install. Simplified deployments will help your business receive the security it needs faster and at an affordable rate. In addition, the simpler the installation process, the easier your system is to maintain and manage, reducing the burden it has on you in the future if problems do arise.
Installing a physical access control system is only part of the process. For the best results, you need effective policies and procedures that support your employees and business operations.
A physical access control policy establishes the rules that determine who receives access, what areas they can enter, and how permissions are managed throughout the employee lifecycle.
Without documented procedures, it becomes difficult to maintain security standards as your organization grows.
So, your policy should include the following:
Access requirements change all the time. If permissions are never reviewed, users may retain unnecessary access long after it’s needed.
Regular access reviews help ensure individuals only have access to the areas required to perform their jobs. These reviews strengthen security while keeping your access control system organized and effective.
Organizations should routinely perform the following:
One of the most effective physical security measures is limiting access to only what is necessary. The principle of least privilege means individuals should only have access to the facilities, rooms, and resources required to perform their responsibilities.
For example, an HR employee may need access to office areas but not to inventory storage. This strategy reduces risk while limiting the potential impact of lost credentials or unauthorized activity.
Visitors, vendors, contractors, and third-party service providers can introduce security risks when access isn’t properly managed. A formal visitor management process helps organizations track who enters the facility and where they’re authorized to go.
These controls improve security while creating a more professional experience for guests.
Effective visitor policies often include:
Access control becomes significantly more valuable when connected to other physical security technologies. Integrations help organizations work more effectively through a centralized platform that can identify and help respond to incidents faster.
The most common integrations include:
Access control technology continues to evolve as organizations look for ways to improve security while simplifying management. The following trends are shaping the future of physical security access control systems.
Biometric authentication was once limited to highly secure environments, but over the years, advancements have made it significantly more accessible and affordable.
Access control solutions will increasingly see biometric readers that leverage the following:
Mobile credentials continue to rise in popularity as they take advantage of devices everyone already owns. As a result, businesses reduce costs associated with issuing, replacing, and managing other physical credentials.
Cloud access control systems continue to grow in popularity because they reduce infrastructure requirements while making security management more accessible. In addition, businesses don’t have to worry about needing room for a local server or managing the infrastructure necessary to maintain the system. Cloud-based access control supports faster and simpler deployments, saving them money and time over time.
Many organizations are moving away from standalone systems and toward unified security platforms. These systems combine access control, video surveillance, alarm systems, analytics, and more in a single centralized platform.
In turn, organizations can reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and gain greater visibility across their security environment. The shift toward these platforms is helping businesses operate more effectively through comprehensive visibility.
INFINIAS Access Control is a cloud-based access control solution that helps organizations secure facilities and manage user access across one door or hundreds. Designed with flexibility in mind, INFINIAS supports both cloud and on-premises deployments, allowing businesses to choose the model that best aligns with their requirements while using the same reliable hardware platform.
Unlike traditional access control systems that can become difficult and expensive to expand, INFINIAS is built for growth. The platform’s EIDC+ Single Door Controller makes it easy to scale from a single entry point to a multi-building deployment without the need for major infrastructure changes. As your organization grows, INFINIAS grows alongside it.
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