Electronic Access Control Terminology
Access Control System: the combination of a credential, a reader, a controller, a power supply and an electric unlocking mechanism, which combine to allow a system administrator the ability to grant or deny access to a controlled area. In its simplest form an access control system unlocks a door for an authorized user; in advanced configurations, user access can be designated by day and time, system administration is managed via computer, and audit trails are created.
Access Point: the physical barrier that is controlled by the access control system. Most commonly a door, it can also be a parking gate, an elevator or even a desk or filing cabinet draw.
Audit Trail: a record, both historical and in real time, of all events that occur within the parameters of an access control system. This record will include events such as access granted or denied, notifications of a door being propped or forced open and system update information. An audit trail can be used to monitor the movements of an individual through secured areas both in real time or historically. Audit trails can also be searched for specific events, i.e. which individual’s accessed a specified area, between specified hours on a specified day.
Biometric Reader: a reader that identifies human attributes such as fingerprints or hand geometry. Biometric readers offer the greatest security.
Controller: the “brain” of an access control system, this circuit board receives data from a reader, compares the data against its database of authorized users, and when it finds a match signals the unlocking mechanism to allow access.
Credential: a user associated item that is used in conjunction with a reader to identify an individual to the access control system. It may take the form of a card, key fob or PIN number, and in the case of biometric readers, a fingerprint or hand.
Fail Safe: an electric unlocking mechanism, which upon loss of power or malfunction, remains in an unlocked state.
Fail Secure: an electric unlocking mechanism, which upon loss of power or malfunction, remains in a locked state.
iButton Reader: a reader that decodes the ID code on an iButton credential when direct physical contact is made. I-Button readers are economical and vandal resistant.
Keypad: a reader that features the universally recognizable numerical keypad. Keypads identify PIN numbers; they may be combined with another type of reader to create dual credential access points.
Mag Card Reader: a reader that decodes the ID code on a magnetic stripe credential when a card is physically passed through the reader. Because of durability issues, these readers are no longer commonly used.
Online System: an access control system which is connected and managed at all times by a computer. The connection maybe hardwired or wireless; this form of system allows for the greatest level of administrative control.
Proximity Reader: a reader that decodes the ID code on a proximity credential. No direct physical contact is required; credentials are decoded when they are within 2” – 8” from the reader. When required, proximity readers are available that provide a further read range of 2’ – 15’.
Standalone System: an access control system which does not require connection to a computer for system administration. Standalone systems generally incorporate the reader and controller into a single package; they are programmed through the reader and provide little or no audit trail. These economical systems typically replace keyed locks, but with the added advantage of being able to deny access without having to physically retrieve a key or re-key a lock.
Time and Attendance: the combination of an access control system and specialized software that allows the system administrator to process employees’ attendance records electronically. The reader that is used for clocking in and out can be located centrally (i.e. a staff room), or it can be a reader that also controls an access point (i.e. staff entrance).
