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    Allen Security & Consultant Co., Inc. can engineer, design, implement, and service your Access Control System, no matter how large or small. From single door systems to large multi-building campuses Allen Security is at your service. A few things to consider as we start the process. We call it Access Control 101:

What is Access Control
  Types of Systems
    Stand-alone Systems
    On-Line Systems
    PC-Host Based Systems
Cards and Readers
    Wiegand Cards
    Proximity Cards
    Magnetic Stripe Cards
    Optical\Infrared Cards
Why Sould I Use Access Control
Cost
Difficulty of Duplication
Accountability
Flexibility
Employee Identification
Alarm Monitoring Functions
Conclusion

What is Access Control?
    In its most basic form, access control is a method of controlling or restricting who can enter a building or area within building. Traditionally, this has been done through the use of locks and keys. The lock and key to your house or apartment form a simple access control system. The locks and keys found in businesses are an extension of this type system. Over the last several years, many businesses have found this traditional method inadequate for their security needs. Instead, they've installed card-based electronic access control systems.
    A basic access control system consist of a card reader and a controller. When the system user presents a card to the reader, the reader interprets the information encoded on the card and sends it to the controller.
    The controller accepts the information from the reader and compares it to information stored in it's memory. The controller then grants or denies access by commanding the electric locking device on the door to unlock or remain locked. In some systems, the controllerwill also print or display this transaction on a computer screen or printer.
  nbsp; The controlled door is usually equipped with some type of electro-mechanical locking device, called an electric strike. The electric strike is installed in the door jamb in place of the standard locking mechanisim. In cases where the card reader controls a gate or overhead door, the reader controller is connected to the gate or door operator.
    The access card itself resembles a standard plastic credit card. The card contains at least two different numbers that are encoded within the card. Since the method of encoding varies from card to card, the proper card must be used with a compatible reader.
    It is often useful to combine the functions of the access card with those of an identification card, so an access card can include a photo of the employee along with employment information. The access/ID card can then be worn by the individual for easy identification and access.
    Cards can be custom printed with the employee's name and/or company's logo. This allows the access card to perform two functions that are not available with a normal metal key--it provides the employee with an access credential (key) and a form of employment verification.

Types of Systems
    Systems can be grouped into three different catagories: Stand-Alone, Simple On-Line, and PC- Host Based.
    Each group has different features,capabilities, and cost that must be matched to your needs. A description of each group follows.

Stand-Alone Systems
    Stand-Alone card access systems consist of one or two card readers operating independent of a computer. These types of systems generally have limited card capacities and features. Stand-Alone systems are often selected by businesses having only a few doors to control and a limited number of people requiring a few cards. Owners of these systems are not interested in recording system use or in restricting access by time of day, day of week. The advantages of stand-alone systems are low cost and ease of operation.

On-Line Systems
    On-Line Systems in an on-line system, the readers are interconnected to each other, allowing communication with a controller and computer terminal. It is common for the readers to rely on the computer to make the access control decisions. The card readers get information from the card and send it to the computer for processing. The computer compares the information received from the card reader against information contained in its memory. If the proper information is found, the computer signals the card reader to unlock the door.
    Event recording is a primary advantage of on-line systems, which can print events on a printer or store the information electronically in a computer.
    On-line systems can control a larger number of doors and have memory for a larger number of cards. They also feature more access levels and schedules. These two features allow the operators to specify what doors an individual can use, the time of day each door can be used, as well as the days of the week each door can be used.

PC-Host based Systems
    These are enhanced or expanded versions of the on-line systems described previously. They have expanded reader and card capacities and more refined and sophisticated features. Complex on-line systems generally have extensive alarm point monitoring capabilities and can display graphic representations of the facility, aiding in the identification and location of alarms.
    They can control gates, lights, and other security related equipment such as video surveillance cameras.
    Complex on-line systems can control several hundred doors, tens of thousands of cards, and monitor thousands of alarm points. They are capable of being controlled or operated from several locations. For example, the security director of a facility may have a terminal in his or her office for administering the system, and a guard station may have a terminal for acknowledging and responding to alarms and other events.

Cards and Readers
    There are many options available today allowing you to make a decision that meets both your needs and budget.

Wiegand Cards
    Wiegand techolonogy cards are widely used. Small lengths of a special alloy wire are embedded in two parallel rows along one edge of the card. This special alloy allows it to maintain a magnetic field for a short period of time. The number and exact placement of the wires determine the code of the card.
    The Wiegand card reader contains two magnets (one strong and one weak) and a sensor. When the card passes through theh reader, a magnetic field is applied to the embedded wires by the two small magnets. The sensor detects this magnetic field and decodes the information within the wires.
    The Wiegand card is nearly impossible to duplicate or copy. Cards are available in many different styles, allowing users to pick the type that best suites their needs. The cards and readers are very durable and the readers require no special protection when used outdoors.

Proximity Cards
    The term proximity describes cards that do not require any phisical contact between the reader and the card. Instead, the user brings a proximity card within a short distance of the reader, normally 6-8 inches, though some models may work at much greater ranges. The cards contain electronic components that are capable of producing a weak electro-magnetic or electro-static field when brought near a reader. This signal contains the card number and other unique information.
    Proximity cards are the most convenient to use. Because the readers may be installed inside a wall or partition, the possibility of vandalism is greatly reduced. Proximity cards are extremely difficult to copy or duplicate.

Magnetic Stripe Cards
    This card is very similar to a standard credit card. the information is encoded on a strip of magnetic material applied to one side of the card, exctly like a conventional credit card. The information is written on the magnetic strip in a manner similar to tape used in a tape recorder.
    The magnetic stripe readercontains a head similar to that of a tape recoder. When the card is inserted into the reader, this head rides on the magnetic stripe and reads the information from it.
    Magnetic stripe cards are widely available. Their primary drawback is limited durability. The reader requires periodic maintenance and special protection when used outdoors. In addition, magnetic strip cards are more easily copied than other forms of cards. In certain applications, such as college environments, it is advantagous to have the ability to recycle a card for another student.

Optical\Infrared Cards
    This type of card is embedded with infrared filters. these filters are capable of passing only a certain range of infrared light. The placement and density of the filters determines the code of the card.
    The optical readers consist of an infrared light source on one side of the reader, and an array of infrared photo-sensors on the other side. When a card is inserted into the reader, the infrared light is allowed to pass through only certain areas of the card. The photo-sensors receive this light and decode the card by the pattern of spots.
    The optical card is very difficult to copy and is relatively expensive. There are some restrictions as to where and how custom information can be printed on the surface of the card. One shortcoming of the card is the perodic maintenance required by the reader, and precautions must be taken when these readers are used outdoors.

Why Should I Use Access Control?
    The best way to explain the benefits and differences of access control is to compare the traditional lock and key system to an electronic access control system. In this analysis we'll look at cost, security, and flexibility.
    Before we continue, we should define exactly what a key is and its function.
    A key is designed to allow its owner to enter a restricted area. This could be your home, place of work or automobile. Those without the proper key cannot enter or use the areas. Every person who is allowed to enter a restricted area is issued a key. Each of these keys is identical. The more areas an individual needs access to, the more keys he or she needs. Electronic access control generally refers to the substitution of keys with electronically encoded cards. These cards are used in card readers located next to the controlled door.
    A key is mechanically coded by cutting a pattern of notches or teeth into the key. The pattern of notches and grooves must match the lock they are to be used in. Re-keying involves changing the pattern of the lock and the pattern of the keys. When you change one you have to change the other.

Cost
    Every comparison of keys and electronic access control involves comparing costs. The two costs to consider in this analysis are the initial cost of installation and the cost of on-going maintenance.
    The initial cost of installing a key system is significantly lower than that of an electronic card access system. An electronic access control system involves the installation of not only the locking hardware, but also an electrically actuated lock, a card reader and some form of controller along with the associated interconnecting wire. Because of the cost of this additional equipment, the cost for an access control system is always more than that of a traditional lock system.
    The price advantage an access control system has over keys comes from the long term maintenance of the system. Over a period of time, every business experiences employee turnover. Every time an employee leaves a company, he or she is expected to return their keys. It is always a bad assumption to believe that these individuals have not made copies of the keys. Because of this, most security experts will recommend that the locks be changed periodically to prevent copies of keys from being used. This process involves issuing new keys as well as modifying the locks.
From time to time keys are lost. Ideally, lost keys will be reported promptly. However, because many people make copies of keys in case they should loose one, lost keys often go unreported. When this happens, the owner's building is essentially unlocked 24 hours a day until the locks are changed.
    Changing locks and keys, re-keying and issuing new keys to all employees, is an involved, expensive and time consuming process requiring a trained locksmith. Because this process should be repeated periodically, the ongoing cost will continue to increase.
    If an access control system is used, the need for re-keying is eliminated.
    As cards are lost (or stolen), or as people leave the company with- out returning their cards, the Allen Security Access Control system can be instructed to ignore the use of these cards. Card reprogramming only takes a few minutes, requires no physical changes to the locking hardware, and does not require that new cards be issued to all employees. Reprogramming can often be done from one central location.
    Electronic access control affords considerable cost savings and a tremendous increase in security and convenience. From the moment a card is reported lost or stolen and the system is informed accordingly, the building is secure. The delay and expense of counting on a locksmith are eliminated.

Difficulty of Duplication
    The standard metallic key has been around for several hundred years with little or no change in the basic operating principle. The standard key is relatively easy to copy with a wax impression of the original key and a file. Over the last several years, methods have been introduced to make duplication more difficult. Special machines are necessary to produce a duplicate and the availability of those machines is restricted. Or, the manufacturer of the original key may be required to produce copies. While these methods have increased the difficulty of making a copy. They have also made it much more difficult in some cases to change or alter a person's access privileges or issue new keys.
    An Allen Security Access Control system offers many different types of cards, all of them far more difficult to copy than the most secure form of metallic key. The level of knowledge an individual must possess in order to copy a card is very high and the necessary technology is not easily accessible. Unlike a key, where the coding is visible, the encoded information on a card is in an invisible electronic format.

Accountability
    In a conventional key system, most keys have the same level of security or privilege. When these keys are used there are no tracking or reporting capabilities.
    For example, two people, Bob and Jim, have identical access privileges to the tape storage room and Jim enters this room three times on Friday. There is no way to determine who entered the room. In other words, there is no accountability for who enters a secure area.
    Accountability is the primary reason people install access control in their businesses. Most systems allow for printer connections to record the use of each card. This printed record of the date, time, door, and card number provides the accountability. In more sophisticated systems this information may be recorded electronically, allowing users to search for specific events such as who used the door to the R&D lab last Friday night between 9:00 p.m. and midnight.

Flexibility
    With a metallic key, access privileges are assigned through a process of master, submaster and grand master keys. This allows a key to be used in only a certain number of locks.
    In other words, an individual may be allowed in the front door and the accounting department while another individual with higher security privileges may be allowed into all areas of the facility. The number of levels available using this method is limited to approximately six. If additional levels are required, then additional keys must be issued. One person might have several keys. When an individual needs access to other locations, he or she must be issued a new key with different access privileges.
    When an access control system is used, the process of assigning access privileges is greatly simplified. Most access control systems have differing access levels, allowing management to define exactly what doors an individual can use. Privileges are assigned electronically in minutes at the card reader controller. No changes to the locking hardware are required; therefore, there is no need for a locksmith. Again, assigning access privileges can be performed from one central location.
    A feature that most access control systems have that conventional key systems don't is the ability to restrict access by time of day and day of week. It is possible to assign a card to an individual and not only specify exactly what doors he or she can enter, but the time of day and days of the week as well. This feature is referred to as time zones or time schedules.
    One example of the time schedule feature is the president's card. The president's card would open all controlled doors, 24 hours a day, while the access of an individual in the accounting department would be limited to the front door and the door to the accounting department during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    Another feature not found with locks and keys is the ability to assign an individual' a temporary one. It can limit visits to a specific area or only during a specified time and date, automatically expire after a specified number of uses, or expire after a preset time of day.

Employee Identification
    Many security-conscious companies without access control systems require that their employees carry some sort of identification card in addition to their normal keys. An access control system can simplify the need for both by combining the functions of a key with that of the identification card. This is done by purchasing access control cards designed to have photographs laminated to them. Photographs can contain employment information as well as the company name and logo. Additional security can be achieved by color coding the cards to indicate the areas where a person has authorized access.

Alarm Monitoring Functions
    One purpose of securing an area with a locked door is to restrict the number of people who pass through that door at anyone time. When a key is used in a door, there is no way to tell how long that door is held open or how many passed through. Someone could open and prop the door to prevent it from re-locking, thereby allowing other people access to the secured area.
    Most access control systems prevent this situation by allowing the user to specify how long a door can remain open after a valid card has unlocked it. If the time limit expires and the door is still open, the system notifies security. This is normally called the door ajar function.
    An Allen Security Access Control system has the ability to monitor auxiliary alarm systems. The systems can be anything from a simple magnetic door contact to motion sensors or other devices. Not only can the devices tell you if the controlled door has been forced open, but if there's been an intrusion at a monitored area. With a conventional key system the owner must purchase a separate alarm monitoring system to accomplish the same level of security.
In addition to its ability to monitor an auxiliary alarm system, many access control systems can control an alarm system. This function would automatically deactivate the alarm system as well as unlock a door when an authorized card is presented to the card reader.

Conclusion
    While the investment for an access control system may be higher than traditional locks and keys, it provides you with far more security. The increased security is flexible and easier to modify as the owner's requirements change. The maintenance of an access control system is less than that of a conventional keyed setup, due to the fact that operational changes are electronic and do not require the mechanical changes that must be done by a trained locksmith.
    An Allen Security Access Control system offers increased security features not available with normal keys. Features such as time zones or schedules, multiple access levels, and printed or recorded transactions are not possible with keys.