FMJ.CO.UK ACCESS FOCUS
Who’s who?
Access control is defined as ‘the selective
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2019 43
remain closed, preventing the transit. In
these situations, security portals provide a
round-the-clock unmanned secure entrance
solution, allowing access to authorised
users day or night.
Security portals are also e ective because
they create an enclosed, physical barrier at
the point of entry. When enhanced security
is required – meaning a criminal may use
force to gain entry – a security portal that
achieves LPS 1175 security ratings S1, S2
and S3 is a good choice. Compliance with
LPS 1175 means the portal will provide
resistance to determined attempts at forced
entry using a range of techniques, including
the creation of noise. Bullet-resistant glazing
may be an option where extreme levels of
force may be used. Buyers should look for
Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation –
the national police initiative that seeks to
‘design out’ crime through the use of highquality,
innovative products and processes.
Because LPS 1175-approved security
portals are able to withstand forced entry
attempts, the standard is now a requirement
on projects in many di erent sectors
including education, finance, healthcare,
manufacturing, the public sector,
residential, retail and utilities.
When choosing an LPS 1175 security
portal, it’s preferable to specify a product
that incorporates large glazed areas and
has minimal framework. This will o er high
transparency, making it a secure alternative
to revolving doors. This type of portal
also prevents the building entrance from
appearing fortress-like and intimidating
to sta and customers. That makes them
suitable for architects looking for a secure
but stylish solution.
Amer Hafi z, Technical Director at Nortech Control Systems,
reviews the evolution of identity credentials in access control
restriction of access to a place or other
resource’. For an automatic access control system
to function, it requires a means of identifying
individuals to determine their access rights. The
form of identification can be anything from a
memorised password or Pin (personal identification
number) to biometrics (measurement of a human
characteristic).
Since the early days when access was granted once
an authorised Pin was entered into a keypad, access
control systems have evolved to support many forms
of ‘physical’ credentials. Generally referred to as ‘pass
cards’, these credentials have taken many forms.
A barcode involves an identity number printed on
the card in the form of a machine-readable series of
variable-width bars. Although more secure than a
memorised number, a barcode can be easily copied
or reproduced. A magnetic stripe on the card can be
used to store an identity number within a designated
track – a special magnetic card reader is used to read
the number from the track. An electronic chip on a
proximity card holds the identity number, and a builtin
antenna enables a compatible proximity card reader
to read the identity number using radio frequency
technology. The card simply needs to be held within a
few centimetres of the reader.
Finally, smart cards use a radio technology similar
to proximity cards – they can hold a variety of data
within the chip. The data can be read or written to the
card using compatible readers or writers depending
on the application. For access control applications, an
identity number can be stored on the card and read by
a compatible access control card reader.
In each of these technologies, it is necessary to
issue a uniquely numbered card (or key fob) to each
authorised person. The unique number on the card
serves as their identity on the access control system.
Without the card, they would not be able to gain
access to the restricted areas. This makes it necessary
for them to keep their identity cards with them
whenever they need to move around the building or
installation.
Recent technological advances, however, have made
the need to carry identity cards unnecessary. Two
completely di erent approaches have been used.
Biometric readers identify individuals based on
unique human characteristics such as fingerprints or
retina patterns. To support these systems, authorised
users must ‘enrol’ on the system, where their biometric
data is read and stored in a database. Whenever the
user needs to access a restricted area, they must
present themselves to a biometric reader at the access
point (placing their finger on a fingerprint reader,
for example). The data obtained is compared to the
database to determine their identity and check their
access rights before granting entry. This provides a
high level of security and avoids the need to issue
credentials – however, the readers are very expensive
and the process of looking up complex data with a
large database can be slow and limiting.
Smartphone-based virtual credentials can replace
physical cards and fobs. A virtual credential is a
unique identity code that can be securely sent
from a cloud-based server to an app on the user’s
smartphone. Several virtual credentials can be stored
on the smartphone for di erent access applications.
A smartphone with the right virtual credential can
be used to gain access to restricted areas, making it
unnecessary for the
user to carry cards
or fobs. As most
people now carry
their smartphones
everywhere they
go, they are far
less likely to lose
their credentials or
forget to keep them
handy.
The app can
present the
credentials to
readers using one of the smartphone’s built-in
communication technologies, such as low-power
Bluetooth, NFC or QR code. The technology used
would depend on the capabilities of the reader and the
type of smartphone being used. If Bluetooth is used, it
can o er a further benefit as it can be used at distances
of up to 15 metres from the reader, e ectively
replacing long-range, hands-free reader technologies.
WHAT NEXT?
In the short to medium term, identity cards will
continue to be used, with contactless smart cards
gradually replacing older technology proximity cards.
Virtual credentials on mobile devices will become
far more widespread. The ever-increasing levels of
security required will most likely lead to a wider use of
facial recognition as the main biometric credential.
With advances in Bluetooth technology providing
increased bandwidth, more information can be quickly
retrieved from smart devices, making the combination
of high-security biometrics and smartphone apps a
real possibility for controlling access.