Access control is a security system that regulates who can access a building/ office premises/ room etc. The ultimate aim of access control is to provide a level of security that minimizes risk to a business or organization by helping to keep buildings, data and people safe and secure. There are two types of access control systems: physical and logical. In physical access control, only authorized people, such as employees, visitors, vendors, are allowed into a building, office, or room.  Logical access control limits connections to computer networks, system files and data.

It is possible to control access in many different ways – through human intervention such as a guard or receptionist; mechanically such as locks and keys; or technologically using Access Control Systems in India like truMe. In most organizations, role-based access control systems provide employees with varying levels of access based on their roles and responsibilities. The process is called differential access, and advanced technologies like truMe make this possible.

Why is Access Control Important

You can use an access control system to understand how your building or site is used, by tracking when people enter and leave certain locations and rooms, as well as to improve overall security.

In case of an emergency, such as a fire, knowing who is in your building is crucial. Additionally, an access control system prevents unauthorized individuals from entering your facility, which is especially important in places like schools and hospitals. Access control can therefore help keep you and your employees safe.

Elements of Access Control

There are three core elements to access control:

1. Identification: In order for access control to be effective, it must provide some means of identifying an individual, such as their name, face, phone number, role, and finger biometrics.
2. Authentication: Identification requires authentication. In this process, we ensure that the identity in use is authentic – that it’s being used by the right person. The authentication can be carried out in several ways, such as by using an OTP or a face scan, a fingerprint biometric scan, QR scans, RFID readers, and so on.

3. Authorization: As soon as an identity is authenticated, the system checks its authorization. There are a couple of different methods for storing authorization, including using QR codes and RFID cards as well as storing it on the computer, which can then be unlocked by a face scan or finger biometric scan.

Types of Access Control System in India

Following are the main models of access control:

1. Discretionary Access Control (DAC): This model gives each entry point access control to the owner. There is a list of authorized users mapped to each door by the business owner, and only these individuals are allowed access to the particular building or area. Hierarchical organizations use this type of differential access.
2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Employees’ roles in an organization determine their level of access. There are different levels of access for different roles, and the same level of access for the same role.
3. Mandatory Access Control (MAC): Often used in government and military environments, in this security model access rights are regulated by a central authority based on multiple levels of security.

Challenges of Access Control

It is not uncommon for access control systems to have some issues, just as with any technology. Here are some:

1. User experience: An often-overlooked challenge of Access control is user experience. If an access management technology is difficult to use, employees may use it incorrectly or circumvent it entirely, creating security holes and compliance gaps.
2. Expensive: In most cases, Access Control Systems are rather expensive and require a lot of maintenance. Additionally, these systems are prone to obsolescence. There is a constant pressure to increase revenue from legacy deployments due to the high overhead costs.
3. Limited Interfaces: Legacy systems typically use RFID readers, cards, or finger biometrics to control access. Using such interfaces is unhygienic, expensive, and cumbersome. RFID cards are also not secure and can easily be abused.

Due to the hybrid workplace culture, it is imperative to have digital, contactless interfaces for access control and related solutions, such as QR codes and face recognition.

4. Incapacity to grow or evolve: You won’t be able to scale your system as the number of users or locations increases. It will also prevent you from adopting new technologies or working methods. Not only does this threaten security, but it is also costly.

Advantages of truMe Access Control System

Some of the benefits of truMe Access Control System are as under:

1. Keep track of all access: truMe’s Access Control System in India gives you data on who enters and exits a building or floor or room and when. By tracking who enters and leaves your premises, it allows you to know who is where and when and that everyone is working where they are supposed to be. It also means that if an incident, accident or theft occurs, you will be able to identify exactly who was in the area or space at that specific time.
2. Protect against unwanted visitors: Visitors to a large company can easily go undetected. truMe’s access control systems prevent unauthorized individuals from entering. Due to the requirement of credentials, you can only grant access to those who you have given credentials to.
3. Flexible work-time for Employees: With truMe access control system, employees are able to enter and leave whenever they like during their shift. There is no need for people to wait for someone to unlock the doors early in the morning, and managers won’t have to stay late shutting down at the end of the day. As a result, you’ll be able to offer your employees flexible schedules. Also, you can check who is coming and going with the management dashboard.
4. Protect Your Data: truMe’s Access Control System in India restricts access to server rooms to only those who are authorized. This ensures that not only the stored data is protected, but responsibility can also be fixed in case of a breach.
5. Create a Safe Work Environment: truMe’s Access Control System in India lets trusted individuals inside and keeps others out. Additionally, the truMe Access Control System in India can keep your employees safe in case of an emergency. When a fire or other emergency requires a rapid escape, doors with lock-and-key mechanisms remain locked. The truMe protocol unlocks doors when the power goes out so that people can exit the building rapidly without having to look for their keys.
6. Get Central & Real-time Visibility: truMe provides real-time visibility across an organization’s locations around the world through its IoT platform. Making informed decisions is easier with real-time reports and analytics
7. Multiple location Access: truMe provides with an access control system that can customize and implement access permissions across many locations.
8. Multi-Factor Authentication: truMe offers multiple choices in terms of interfaces one can use for access control. For higher security, organizations can choose multi-factor authentication as well, say a combination of QR, face recognition, finger biometrics and RFID.
9. Prevent Theft & Accidents: Controlling access can help protect your business’s assets, expensive equipment, and office supplies. Access to supply closets and computer banks can be restricted to trusted individuals. Deterring theft is made easier when employees know their arrivals and departures are tracked.
10. Reduce cost: The truMe access control system can also reduce your overall costs. There will be one access control system needed for thousands of employees and multiple floors and buildings, and it can be integrated with your other systems as well.

With truMe, it’s easy to comply with safety standards, regulations and protocols.

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