Biometric Access (Face recognition and fingerprints)
The credential is tied to your biometric identities such as your face, fingerprints, retina, or palm. Biometric credentials cannot get lost or stolen and are permanently associated with the individual, which makes them more securer than other types of credentials.
Face recognition access provides a more seamless approach since you just have to show up in front of the reader and the door unlocks. Fingerprints have lost popularity after COVID-19 since people don’t want to touch the same fingerprint scanner.
Card-Based & PIN Password Access
Key cards are currently the most widely deployed form of an access credential. Every card has a unique number programmed into them, and access can be configured for various doors using the same card number. E.g. A visitor’s card can be programmed to access only the front door for one day, whereas an employee’s card may be programmed to access all or specific internal doors permanently. For keycards to be used as multi-door credentials, the access control software must be able to support multiple access levels.
You can also have PIN readers that allow typing a pin to get access. PIN codes are vulnerable to easy sharing and can compromise your security. Care should be taken to give unique PINs to users and change them periodically to avoid leaking access. However, this increases the operational workload.
Multi Door vs Single Door Access Control
Single-door access control systems are connected to the reader and the door controller on a single door in one location. These systems can often be programmed at the reader itself, by adding card numbers, etc to it. Smaller systems may be able to support anywhere between 1 – 4 doors and provide simple controls for programming access rules into them. Some single-door systems can be scaled to a larger network by using additional components such as wireless IP data bridges or wired technologies like Ethernet or twisted cable. Multi-door systems have dedicated software running on a computer on-premise, or in the cloud to run configuration for the system. All-access points can be centrally controlled and programmed from an on-site computer in the case of an on-premise system or from web browsers and mobile apps if it’s a cloud-based system. Multi-door access control systems can secure a variety of access points including entrances, interior doors, gates, cabinets, lockers, server racks, elevators, parking, and garages.