Electronic access control systems have become increasingly common as business owners, facility managers and even homeowners recognize the simplicity and increased security offered by these products. As demand has grown, so too have the range of options available, leaving many uncertain as to which one is most appropriate for their needs.
When choosing a keypad or reader, the most important issues to consider are what type of environment the product will be used in and what level of security needs to be achieved. A keypad can be a simple, elegant solution for low level security areas like health clubs or conference rooms, particularly when coupled with what’s known as social policing. While the downside to keypads is that they only require the user to know a passcode, which is easily shared with others, social policing could ensure that unauthorized individuals were noticed and confronted.
A variation of this product is a scramble keypad, which consistently shuffles the 10-digit numbers so that they are located in a different position each time. It is designed to prevent unauthorized onlookers from guessing the passcode by watching the pattern in which the numbers are entered.
If the facility demands a higher level of security, products that require multi-factor authentication will be a more appropriate choice. One option is to use an RFID reader with an integrated keypad, coupling something the user knows ‑ a passcode ‑ with something they have ‑ a fob or swipe card.
Another increasingly popular option that can be paired with keypads involves the use of mobile phone apps. Using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the reader recognizes the user’s phone within a certain proximity and unlocks the door. These products are considered to be more slightly more secure than those utilizing a fob or swipe card because users are far less likely to loan their cell phone to someone than a card.
At the higher end of the security spectrum are systems that use biometrics. These products combine something the user knows ‑ a passcode ‑ or something the user has ‑ a fob or mobile app ‑ with something that is unique to the user, most commonly fingerprints, hand size, or facial features. Biometric identifiers cannot be easily stolen or loaned to unauthorized users, making them ideal for facilities that require high levels of security.
It’s important to understand that these products are not intended to function as a complete security solution and will perform best when integrated into a full access control solutions governed by local security policies. Also, keep in mind the limitations of what a keypad can do when determining if it is appropriate for a specific application. Unless it is part of a multi-factor authentication system, the integrity of that environment is completely reliant on the ability of individual users to keep the passcode a secret. What is sufficient to limit access to a storage room would be completely inadequate for a college dormitory.
Jon Mooney is the Business Leader at Allegion. For more information on keypads and readers, visit http://us.allegion.com/Products/readers/Pages/default.aspx.
