info@secsyst.com
Doing your (access control) homework?
We'd like to help you make that informed decision. Are you really getting an effective solution at an affordable rate? We're so confident in our system that we have provided an easy-reference to our competitions' websites along with some pros and cons and what you should be looking for. Compare ours with any other quote and you'll discover how much more you're getting for so much less!
- ClickOn Communications
- Green Byte Technology (discovered reading this article published in 2005) might have something similar, but it looks like they still don't have their website up and running).
- Vodacom Gated Services
- Others (a Google search)
What to look for in an access control system
You may also want to check out our frequently asked questions section!Your perimeter may be secure; you may even have a tight reign on your residents' access but how secure is your visitor access? Arguably your weakest link!
Is the system a biometric (e.g. fingerprint) system?
Whilst biometric systems may work well for a controlled group of entries
(like residents), a system that uses biometrics to validate a visitor in our opinion is not a viable option.
Someone would theoretically have to have a huge database of every potential
visitor's fingerprint! (Think “big brother”)
Do visitor entries get logged in a paper-based log book?
In concept, this might sound like a reasonable security measure, but in practice it falls far short of an adequate forensic tool.
An article published on the TechNews / Security SA's online-magazine website explains the problem of paper-based systems
(click here to read)
Who is responsible for your visitors' access?
It is my experience that gate attendants are sometimes subject to
intimidation by assertive / angry / abusive visitors.
Often the temptation is there to avoid a confrontation by letting the
visitor in without enforcing the proper controls. There are a number
of other reasons why a gate attendant might allow a criminal element
through the gate (both intentional and unintentional).
The sensible move would be to shift the responsibility of
visitor entry from the gate attendant to the actual resident.
That way you can completely eliminate “he said”, “she said” scenarios.
Call-based systems:
By far the most popular method of access control, however more and more
people are realising the benefits of the preferred sms-based system.
Unfortunately, many estates make use of a very simple mechanism of calling
the resident when a visitor arrives at the gate (without the control
from a computerised system). Besides the problem of responsibility
(discussed above), call costs are high and because calls are not controlled,
this can lead to very costly abuse.
By contrast, a well-managed computerised call system can streamline
the process; place responsibility on the resident for authorisation;
and can control call duration, destinations, and costs.
But, watch out for high call rates!
SMS (Text) -based systems:
This is by far the most efficient form of access control for your visitors.
The concept here is that the resident sends an authorisation request
for his/her visitor ahead of time. This authorisation is usually sent
back in the form of a code that is presented by the visitor at the gate
when he or she arrives. (Visitor is immediately granted access). This
form of access is most cost-effective and the cost can often be carried
by the respective resident. It is also most secure as access is determined
directly by the resident. Seeing as little or no attendant intervention
is required, there is no waiting and visitors can move through the gates
quickly alleviating congestion.
You will however still need to accommodate the very small minority of
people who don't use mobile phones (or Internet).
Ideally you'll want a system that is both call-based and sms-based. (Again — watch out for high call charges!)
