MENU menu bar

Types of Access Control

A well-thought-out access control system is essential to maintaining a secure, highly operational, smooth-running professional environment. Every environment will benefit from integrating a best-in-class access control system, from leisure-focused businesses to corporate environments, high-security locations like malls and airports and in and outdoor events. Whether you already have an integrated system and want to learn more about how you can elevate your access security or you are considering investing in access control for your business, and you want to learn about the different types on the market, keep reading for your complete guide. Below, discover the different types of access control and how they can help your business become a more secure and operational environment.

Types Of Access Control

No matter the size or scope of your company, there are many options out there for sophisticated access control systems that integrate seamlessly into your business. Here are the most popular types of access control tools and technologies you can find today:

Magnetic Stripe Cards

Made with one printed side with ample space for identification photos, names, addresses and other details, a magnetic stripe card is a contact card that operates through a magnetic technology that enables access with a correlating reader when the card is physically swiped through the system. These can be found in numerous high-use items that you interact with in day-to-day life, such as credit cards and hotel keys.

Proximity Cards

Proximity cards are contactless ID cards containing programmed data that is read by a card reader. If the information is correct and the user has permission to access the secured location, the items will communicate with one another and signal that the door, gate or other secure system can be opened, and the carrier can pass through.

Smart Cards

Contact smart cards are inserted into a card reader to permit access or generate a payment. A classic and highly dependable choice, smart cards are a great investment to make for your business. They are created with an embedded antenna inside the card, which interacts with the matching card reader to open the secure location or create a successful payment.

Barcode Cards

A simple yet effective choice for many different environments, barcode cards are plastic cards with a barcode that can be swiped or read by a scanner. Commonly used for tickets at events, barcode cards can be used for a shorter lifespan or the long term. You can print branding, identification or details on one side for an added layer of marketing and functionality.

RFID Cards

RFID cards are smart cards that generate radio frequency identification, which comes to life when the card is in the field of its reader. If the information passed from the card to the reader communicates that the carrier has permission to move through the secured area, then it will open. These are highly secure, beneficial and sophisticated, ideal for all businesses, events and environments.

Key Fobs

A compact object that often operates in place of a key, a fob is ideal for leisure companies such as gyms or health spas. These can effortlessly attach to key rings and other personal items for an easily accessible alternative to cards or keys.

How To Choose An Access Control System

Your choice of access control should align with your business, goals and security requirements. It is a good idea to consider whether your environment is a high-security level location, for which you may likely need to choose a proximity or smart card to guarantee that standards are met. If your environment is more unpredictable like an outdoor event or a mining location, you may want to consider high-quality card holders, lanyards and other accessories to ensure that your investment remains intact as users continue to interact with their security cards over time. It is also key to match your access cards with a correlating access card reader, contact Identity People to discuss an appropriate reader for your desired system and our friendly team will guide the entire process for you.

The Benefits of Access Control For Businesses

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to access control, there are a host of shared benefits that all businesses can expect to enjoy once they add an access control system into their operation.

With better visibility and more effortless identification of staff members, security staff and visitors alike, maintaining a safe and secure environment becomes simple once you have a sophisticated access system on your side. 

This system can be used to organise a multi-level building and ensure that all staff members are able to easily enter through their permitted areas, with a high level of safety secured for prohibited areas, sensitive information or private locations within a business environment.

Guests will be able to smoothly integrate with your business and you can even integrate a membership system into your access card profile for an additional layer of marketing and customer retention, a highly powerful step to take in a consumer service business in the modern market.  

Discover the full collection of access control cards, readers, security accessories, printers and more with Identity People to start your journey towards better safety and a range of other benefits.