There’s major disruption in the electronic access control systems (EACS) market. What was once a proprietary, closed technology sector within security has opened to align with the growing internet of things (IoT), data collection and analytics. Standards and documents are beginning to encourage interoperability, paving the way for additional specification and deployment in emerging and nascent markets. Open application programming interfaces (APIs) and cloud-hosted security management platforms increase integration and enhance user experience.
The intelligence of EACS is related to the proliferation of IP-based access control and network communications, refinements in microprocessor computing and lower technology price points. Smart buildings yield information that’s passed along to a central control or the cloud to assist in drawing additional data for building or enterprise-wide decision making. According to the report, “Electronic Access Control Systems” by MarketsandMarkets, an emerging trend is the “demand for integrated solutions that integrate immediate onsite response with electronic security and alarm systems.”
Smarter buildings, more data
Intelligent EACs enhance physical security applications. Systems contractors benefit from being able to select from a wide range of products that communicate with each other, bolstering the value proposition in their ability to provide a total systems solution. End-users benefit with an interconnected system that makes the building safer, smarter, more secure and automated.
Access control decisions now start at the door, gathering and disseminating data that provides deeper information on the real-time status of the opening, or, triggering other integrated components, such as video, alarms or audio and intercoms.
“With today’s access control technology, the driving force is intelligence at the edge,” said Marcus Batten, national security consultant for Allegion, Carmel, Ind. “You want the maximum amount of security at the edge so the bad guys don’t get in. There’s also migration to the smart card rather than magnetic-stripe cards/readers, which are less secure and can be ‘spoofed’ or compromised. Large institutional, healthcare and college campuses are moving to smart cards that use 128-bit AES encryption that provides security similar to that used by IT professionals to secure their infrastructure.”
There is substantial value to the end-user when decision-making moves from the panel to the lock—standalone or interconnected, which has sophisticated electronics processing.
“Users can initiate lockdowns in one to 10 seconds for every connected lock on the enterprise in an active-shooter situation, and doors can be individually unlocked, for example,” Batten said. “Intelligence is also allowing for integration with other devices or with the systems that manage them. There’s additional communications generated that can go out to the chief security officer, the guard, or to any individual who needs real-time information, such as an alarm that needs immediate investigation. Actionable data is sent to the access control panel, which now has the capability to send a text message, or attach a video clip associated with the alarm or alert. Without that intelligence you have to have that opening manned by a guard.”
Intelligent access control also provides information on other connected components.
“Now, you have actionable data coming from numerous points that allows for an intelligent judgment to be made,” he said. “You can get an audit trail on the maintenance closet, IT room or CSO’s office. Any intelligence gives us more value than a strike or a magnetic lock.”
Proactive analytics emerge
Integrated systems provide a lower total cost of ownership for system owners. Information from network-connected devices drills down into many different aspects of the physical security system, providing real-time assessment and a rich history that enables users to assess reliability and uptime and proactively address any potential issues across the enterprise.
Joe Holland, vice president of engineering, LifeSafety Power Inc., Mundelein, Ill., said once-disparate access control systems and subsystems are communicating with each other, enhancing accountability and control. In the example of intelligent, network-connected power, now installers and their customers know exactly what’s happening with power in the building locally or across the campus or enterprise, no matter the location.
“With networked power solutions, users and systems installers have a window into the status of the system and predictive tools to automatically manage power solutions,” he said. “They can receive alerts in advance of a potential battery issue so they can take preventative actions before an outage occurs, optimizing system uptime and reliability. IP connectivity and networking has raised access control to an integral part of the smart, connected building.”
Electronic access control, like other network-connected systems, is moving into a new age of data collection and analytics, elevating its stature as a critical part of physical security and the IoT.
