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Access_Control_System_Overview

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7 views4 pages

Access_Control_System_Overview

Uploaded by

moma95
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Access Control System (ACS)

Access Control
Access control is a technical method that requires authorization to enter facilities or specific
areas within a company.
This authorization serves to protect individuals, assets, or information and applies to:

- Personnel within the company or external visitors and suppliers.


- Specific authorized personnel for sensitive areas (e.g., offices, research rooms, IT rooms).
- Specific times during the day or night.
- Individuals, vehicles, or goods.

Authorization for access involves three key methods of identity verification in compliance
with access control standards:

1. Knowledge-Based Credentials: Authentication using passwords or PIN codes.


2. Possession-Based Credentials: Using access cards, smart cards, or badges.
3. Biometric Identification: Authentication using unique physical characteristics (e.g.,
fingerprints, facial recognition).

Legal Obligations

1. Compliance with Labor Laws


The deployment of a PACS must comply with applicable labor laws and ensure proper
communication with relevant stakeholders:
- Management must notify personnel and consult representative bodies such as the Works
Council and the Health, Safety, and Working Conditions Committee (CHSCT).

2. Data Privacy and Security


The system must adhere to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and local data
privacy laws such as the French Informatics and Liberties Law (January 6, 1978):
- Systems managing personal data must be registered with the National Commission on
Informatics and Liberties (CNIL) via the appropriate declaration forms.

3. Safety Standards
Access control systems must comply with fire and life safety standards:
- Ensure no obstruction to emergency exits or evacuation routes.
- Integrate with Fire Safety Systems (FSS) as per regulations (e.g., fail-safe unlocking during
fire alarms).
Implementation Methods for Access Control
1. Manual Access Control by Guards:
- Visual Recognition: Guards verify personnel visually.
- Badge Verification: Guards check identification badges, including photo ID or access
passes.

2. Mechanical Access Control:


- Turnstiles, Barriers, and Airlocks: Mechanisms to restrict or monitor entry, often
integrated with other identification systems.

3. Automated Identification Systems:


These systems analyze credentials using:
- Keypads: PIN or password authentication.
- Access Cards: Magnetic, optical, or RFID technologies.
- Biometric Systems: Fingerprint, iris scan, or facial recognition.

Configuration of an Access Control System (ACS)


1. Identification:
- Identification is the first step in any PACS, ensuring accurate validation of a user's
credentials.
- The system associates each user with a unique credential stored in a centralized
database, defining their access rights.

2. Credential Technologies:
Access credentials fall into three main categories:
- Mnemonic Codes: Passwords or PINs entered on a keypad.
- Cards or Tokens: Smart cards or RFID tags.
- Biometrics: Use of unique physiological traits.

3. Combination Authentication:
To enhance security, multiple authentication factors may be combined:
- Card + PIN.
- Card + Biometric.
- PIN + Biometric.

Authentication Devices
1. Keypads:
- Allow users to enter PIN codes for access.
- Regular PIN updates are recommended to mitigate risks of credential compromise.

2. Card Readers:
- Contact-Based Cards: Cards with magnetic strips or chips requiring physical contact.
- Contactless Cards: Use RFID or NFC technologies for proximity-based authentication.
- Contactless systems are preferred for their durability and ease of use.

3. Biometric Readers:
- Analyze unique physical or behavioral traits such as fingerprints, facial features, or iris
patterns.
- Ensure compliance with privacy regulations for the storage and use of biometric data.

Advanced Features
1. Anti-Passback:
Prevents the reuse of credentials to allow unauthorized access:
- Real-Time Anti-Passback: Requires the badge to be used in sequence (e.g., entry then
exit).
- Timed Anti-Passback: Prohibits badge reuse within a set time window.

2. SAS Effect:
- Used in dual-door systems to enhance security. One door must remain closed before the
other opens, commonly implemented in high-security environments.

System Design Considerations


1. Defining Access Rights:
- Set hierarchical access levels and group-based permissions.
- Include temporary and permanent access credentials.

2. Security Levels:
- Level 0: Open access.
- Level 1: Requires PIN.
- Level 2: Requires card + PIN.
- Level 3: Requires biometric verification.

3. User and Zone Management:


- Allocate access zones by user roles and departments.
- Define time-based access restrictions (e.g., business hours, holidays).

4. Scalability:
- Design the system to adapt to organizational growth, such as new personnel or
additional access points.

Conclusion
The success of an access control system relies on thorough planning and adherence to
security, privacy, and safety standards. Key points include:

- Following fire safety norms (e.g., fail-safe mechanisms).


- Integrating PACS with other systems like CCTV and alarms for comprehensive security.
- Aligning with GDPR and local laws to protect user data.
The lack of unified international standards highlights the importance of aligning PACS
implementations with industry best practices and site-specific requirements.

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