Access control is all about managing who gets in, where they can go and when they can go there. There are many applications for electronic access control, including data centers, office suites, loading docks, parking garages and any other sensitive areas. In a multi-tenant building, you can integrate elevator control so only people with proper credentials can stop at certain floors. New York Fire Detection offers multiple with access privileges that are easy to customize.

There are several components to a security access control system. First you need a way for authorized users to identify themselves and/or unlock the door:

• Keypads are common for single door security access and less expensive systems. They’re easy to use but less secure, since users have a tendency to write down the entry code or to “lend” it to others. They also don't provide detailed audit trails unless you provide each employee with an individual code.
• Card readers are the most popular option in commercial access control. They're easy to use, and when cards are lost, it's a simple matter to deactivate them and issue new ones. They can also be combined with photo IDs for additional security.
  Proximity cards, which can work from one inch to three feet from a sensor, are the most common. Because there's no contact between the card and reader, they're very reliable and suffer little wear and tear. They're also inexpensive. Security access systems can use magnetic stripe or barcode cards, as well, and these can be a money-saving option if you already use one of these technologies for employee ID cards.
• Biometric systems rely on physical characteristics of the users for identification such as fingerprints, handprints, or even retinal scans. They are by far the most secure methods of access control. However, they are also considerably more expensive and can seem invasive to employees forced to use them constantly. They're also very unreliable outdoors, so they're not good for exterior security access.
• Locks and gates that the security system can control electronically are also needed. Often, door hardware will include sensors that know when a door is open and can send an alarm signal if the door is opened without clearance. Systems can also sound an alarm if a security access door is propped open for a specified amount of time.