Access Control Systems

Access Control Systems typically use a combination of hardware and software to control access rights. The hardware may include door locks, card readers, keypads, barriers and turnstiles. The software is used to manage access permissions and track who has entered or exited the building. It’s often a simple solution, but it performs the vital task of safely controlling entry to sensitive, restricted, or dangerous locations. Access Control can be used within many commercial settings such as manufacturing facilities, commercial buildings, schools, educational campuses, leisure stadiums, amusement parks, retail shopping outlets and many more. Each setting will have different security needs, so it is important to understand these and the key role that access control plays in addressing potential risks and vulnerabilities.

There are many benefits to using an Access Control System. These include:

• Increased Security: Access Control Systems can help to prevent unauthorised access to your building or facility.
• Improved Efficiency: Access Control Systems can help to streamline access to your building or facility, making it easier for employees and visitors to get where they need to go.
• Improved Accountability: These systems keep a detailed record of who accessed specific areas and at what times. This creates an audit trail that can be useful for investigations, identifying security breaches, or monitoring employee attendance.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Access Control Systems can be tailored to the specific needs of an organisation. They offer flexibility in managing different access levels for various areas and can easily accommodate changes in personnel or access requirements as the organisation grows or changes.

Yes, many access control systems can be integrated with other solutions such as cameras, time and attendance, visitor management, and more.

TouchStar’s systems can be integrated both with other existing systems and are also supported by other third-party applications through HTTPS protocols or Virtual LANs.

Biometric access control is a developing technology that relies on human characteristics like fingerprint scanning and facial recognition to work alongside or replace, traditional means of access.

The advantages of biometrics are pushing the technology forward rapidly. For example, with cards, codes or PINs you can never be completely certain of who has access to the card or who uses the code to gain entry. With biometrics you can be certain that only the intended user is given access, resulting in reduced loss and increased accountability.

You can find out more about biometric access control here.

Some access control systems do allow for mobile phones to be used for access control, using Bluetooth or NFC, and they work in the same way as other access control solutions by restricting access to specific areas.

With existing cards, it often depends on who owns the system. This is because access cards can have either an open or closed protocol, which can limit accessibility. In most situations, there is no need to change or reissue your existing employee ID badges for workforce access.

At TouchStar, we specialise in an open protocol because it gives our customers the power to buy their own cards. We can supply cards, but we don’t want our users to be forced to choose them purely because they are locked into our system. Our system is designed to let employees use the same badges for identification, time & attendance, access control, and other applications.

If you’d like to find out if your existing cards are compatible with our readers, contact us for advice.

No. Anything on or around the access point can usually be kept in place. The main changes will be in the software and the controller. Some locks may need to be changed to comply with the latest BS EN standards which can be looked at separately.

Yes, access cards can be used for other functions. The most common choice is to include the ability for the access control card to work with cashless vending solutions. But other options are available, such as using access cards to operate warehouse vehicles like forklift trucks.

If you have a question about another application, please contact us for advice.

The most important thing is that the cardholder reports the card lost. Once this has happened, the card can be rendered useless by having access revoked in the central database. The access control system will also be able to tell if and where the card has been used to attempt to gain access since it had been lost.

Yes, they can. Many organisations work across several sites and this can lead to the unnecessary accumulation of access cards given to staff, who then have the job of carrying around a handful of cards. But with some smart planning, it is possible to have multiple locations on one access control system and access control card.

This also cuts down on admin and removes confusion around card scanning, as when multiple cards are kept in one wallet and touched to an access point it can confuse the system and slow down access. Again, a single card solves this problem.

Yes, it’s possible for some systems to create temporary passes and attach limits so, for example, the pass will expire after a certain amount of time or on a certain date, and only allow access to specific areas.

Here at TouchStar, our solution gives you the flexibility to create temporary access as required by the business.

Yes, cards are usually personalised with a photo of the user so that they double up as an ID badge. Visitors can also be assigned numbered badges to ensure they are visible and have the correct access for the right amount of time.

Yes, with the right software and network connection it’s possible to manage access remotely. If all parameters of the access control system are stored on a centrally managed database, they can be accessed from any computer – as long as it’s connected to the network.

No matter the size of the organisation, TouchStar’s Microtrak software puts the power of control in the hands of the user with clear, simple to use screens that provide an intuitive understanding of the application.

If you have specific requests, please contact us for more information.

Yes, reports can be autogenerated and delivered at regular intervals.

If you’re planning to use CCTV in conjunction with an access control system, you need to be aware of your responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998, and more specifically Article 8 – A right to privacy.

You can find out more about Article 8 here or contact us for advice.

If you’re unsure if Article 8 applies to you, you can take an online self-assessment and register your CCTV solution with the ICO here.

Yes, if your site’s power goes out, your access control system will still operate provided it has a battery backup plan in place. However, if you do not have a backup power system, your access control solution will fail.

As a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold accredited company, here at TouchStar we ensure all of our security systems adhere to the strict UK standards, including ensuring your system is reliable during a power outage.

Every business has a different set of needs from their access control, depending on their sector and business size. It’s important to do a full review of your needs before investing, and ensure any solution you choose is flexible and able to grow with your business.

At TouchStar, our modular solution provides a complete and integrated solution that is designed to fit companies of all sizes and is scalable to grow with the company.

Cloud-based access control is the process of managing access to your system from anywhere as your data is hosted in an off-site data centre. It offers a high level of security and simplicity by reducing the workload on internal resources but it depends on the needs of the business if this is the best solution.