Choosing the right access control system depends on your organization’s needs.

If a team member submits a help desk ticket and waits for an answer, he or she loses valuable company time. When team members are only looking for a single file, this can be frustrating.

It may seem inconvenient, but access control is necessary in the age of cybersecurity threats, regardless of how inconvenient it may seem.

We’ll discuss how an access control system works and how it can streamline processes at your company.

How does access control work?

Physical and logical access to systems can be restricted through an access control system. Login credentials are required to identify users in access control systems. In addition to authorizing appropriate access levels and allowing actions associated with the user’s credentials once a user is confirmed, the access control system also authorizes appropriate access levels for the user.

Different types of access control systems

Listed below are all the different types of access control systems:

Mandatory access control

The most secure access control system is mandatory. The owners and administrators of these systems are also the only ones able to control and manage access to their systems.

Different levels of security clearance and access are given to different people. Access to points can only be granted by owners of the systems. Permissions and privileges aren’t controlled by the end-user. Governments and armies are typically examples of organizations with high-level control.

Discretionary access control

There are two types of discretionary access control: restrictive and non-restrictive. Businesses that are looking for flexibility and an easy-to-use tool will benefit from this system. While flexibility has its advantages, it can also have its disadvantages, including not offering as much security as other types of access control systems. Although one person has full control over the system, they may allow someone not supposed to have access to use it.

Role-based access control

It is becoming increasingly common to use role-based systems for access control. Administrators grant individuals only those privileges they need to carry out their duties. IT managers and business owners can greatly benefit from this access model. Rather than assigning permissions to individual users like with mandatory access control systems, it allows you to group employees on the basis of what resources they require access to.

As a result, a user’s access can be changed or set up faster.

It is not necessary to create 15 unique security profiles in the system if, for example, there are two marketing managers, five accountants, and eight salespeople. Only three are needed: one for each job title.

Rule-based access control

A rule-based access control system is based on a set of attributes and environmental factors that are created by the administrator, such as the time of day and location. As an example, if your company closes at 6 p.m., your employees won’t be allowed to enter the office after that time. A rule-based access control system allows you to set a rule to prevent employees from entering the building after 6 p.m. the previous night through 9 a.m. on the following day.

It is imperative for any business, no matter how small, medium, or large, to protect its assets from theft. Employees and their property should also be protected. Often, doors in buildings which are secured by locks and keys are left unlocked all day long. An opportunist might take advantage of this situation to steal or cause damage.

Building and asset security can be more efficient and convenient with electronic access control. Having an access control system installed means that you won’t have to change locks again. Access is granted by tokens, which, if lost, stolen, or not returned by departing employees, can easily be barred from the system. No access will be granted by tokens that have been barred. A door controlled by an access control system will automatically lock when it is closed once it has been installed. Persons without the access token or PIN cannot access the door. It is possible to set doors to unlock during a specific time period.