Access Control
Access Control: Intelligent Security for Your Facility
Access Control systems provide sophisticated management of who can enter specific areas of your facility, when they can enter, and complete tracking of all access events. Rather than relying on traditional keys that can be lost, copied, or shared without your knowledge, modern access control delivers granular security that adapts to your organizational needs while providing comprehensive audit trails.
By carefully designing your Access Control layout, you gain powerful capabilities that transform facility security. You can monitor in real-time who is entering and exiting your place of business, instantly grant or revoke access privileges for specific individuals without changing physical locks, restrict access to sensitive areas based on role, department, or security clearance, implement time-based access policies that automatically adjust permissions based on business hours or schedules, and maintain detailed logs of all access attempts—both successful and denied—for security analysis and compliance reporting.
This level of control enhances security while improving operational efficiency. New employees receive access credentials immediately, terminated employees lose all access privileges instantly, and temporary contractors can be granted limited access that automatically expires. The system provides accountability through comprehensive tracking while eliminating the administrative burden and security risks associated with managing physical keys.
Design
Effective Access Control begins with strategic design—carefully evaluating which doors, gates, or areas require security and determining the appropriate level of protection for each location.
The design process considers multiple factors for each access point. Doors can be secured exclusively from the outside, allowing free exit but controlled entry, or from both inside and outside when bidirectional security is required—common in high-security areas or facilities with valuable assets. The authentication method must match the security requirements and user convenience needs. Options include proximity badge readers for fast, contactless access, PIN keypads for keyless entry without physical credentials, biometric readers (fingerprint, facial recognition) for the highest security, or combination systems requiring multiple authentication factors for critical areas.
Integration with other security systems amplifies effectiveness. Access Control combined with security cameras creates powerful verification capabilities—you can review video footage of who accessed specific doors at specific times, automatically capture photos when doors are accessed, trigger recording when unauthorized access attempts occur, or create alerts when doors remain open beyond normal timeframes.
Additional design considerations include fail-safe versus fail-secure lock behavior during power outages, integration with fire alarm systems to automatically unlock emergency exits, anti-passback features to prevent credential sharing, interlocking doors for mantrap configurations, and remote access management for security personnel.
Paxton
Paxton provides a comprehensive portfolio of Access Control devices and systems designed to scale from single-door installations to enterprise-wide deployments across multiple facilities.
Their product range encompasses every component needed for complete access control solutions:
Controllers: The intelligent heart of the system, processing authentication requests, managing door locks, and communicating with the central software. Paxton controllers support various door configurations and can operate independently even if network connectivity is lost.
Readers: Available in multiple form factors and technologies including proximity card readers, long-range readers for vehicle access, mobile credential readers supporting smartphone access, and touchscreen readers combining badge and PIN authentication.
Exit Buttons: Request-to-exit devices allowing occupants to leave secured areas, available in various styles from simple push buttons to hands-free motion sensors.
Biometric Readers: Fingerprint and facial recognition readers providing the highest security for critical access points where positive identification is essential.
Electronic Locks: A complete range of locking hardware including magnetic locks, electric strikes, electromagnetic locks, and motorized locks suitable for various door types and security requirements.
Video Intercom: Integration of video communication for visitor management, combining visual verification with two-way audio before granting access.
Paxton's systems are known for their user-friendly management software, allowing administrators to easily configure permissions, view real-time access events, generate reports, and manage credentials from a centralized interface.
Mobotix
Mobotix, renowned for their premium security cameras, also provides integrated Access Control solutions that leverage their expertise in intelligent video technology.
Beyond their camera offerings, Mobotix delivers access control functionality through specialized access panels that combine door control with video verification. This integration creates a unified security ecosystem where video surveillance and access control work seamlessly together, managed through a single interface.
Mobotix access panels support various authentication methods and can be paired with their camera systems to provide visual confirmation of every access event. This integration is particularly powerful for facilities already using Mobotix cameras, as it eliminates the need for separate access control infrastructure and consolidates security management under one platform.
Their decentralized architecture—where intelligence resides in the devices rather than requiring powerful central servers—extends to access control, providing reliability and reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
