The Best Access Control Systems of 2021

We looked at each access control company for the features we believe are most important to your business's security. We examined the technical aspects of the products and checked to see if companies offered certain services. We gathered this data by browsing these companies' websites and contacting them anonymously to gather information and gauge the level of customer service we received. 

Security: Keep Your Employees and Your Business Safe

Security should be the most important factor in your choice of access control system. Services that offer outdated technology, cut corners or are missing key safety features, such as lockdown modes and alarms, did not score well in our evaluation.

Door readers and physical credentials come in many varieties, but the best services offer readers with their own memory and processors, as well as credentials that incorporate some form of encryption. Proprietary technology, rather than open source, is more secure and less likely to be taken advantage of.

The door access readers themselves should be physically secured with specialty screws, and the wiring tucked away and protected. Some readers even have tamper alarms that go off if they are physically altered or removed. Door-hold alarms can alert you when select doors are open for too long. Options for different types of credentials, as well as for multiple-credential authentication, are a must.

Not all systems offer emergency alarms, so you must decide if these are necessary for your business. Important safety protocols include fire, carbon monoxide and break-in alarms. In case of emergencies, you should be able to customize lockdown scenarios, programming the system to automatically open and lock selected doors on such occasions.

Protection 1 does a good job of easily integrating these added security features with its access control systems. While some companies on our list don't offer these security features, they are increasingly standard for access control providers.   

Reporting and Administration: Manage Your System the Way You Want

A detailed reporting interface allows you to observe the movements of your employees throughout the building, keeping tabs on who enters when and at which door. The best access control software integrates with surveillance cameras, recording anytime an employee uses a credential to open a door. These records are useful for investigating suspicious activity, allowing you to verify if it was indeed an employee who used the credentials. The best systems can store these records indefinitely, so you can go back to any date and examine the history. This is extremely useful if you must perform a security audit or are investigating an event at your business.

If you're away from your business a lot, opt for a service that allows you to manage your access control from mobile devices. If your company regularly receives visitors, your system should have options for allowing temporary access to such guests.

Consider whether you want your access control system to tie into your time and attendance system, as some services do. Also, if you're concerned about spending too much time monitoring your access control system, some companies offer to manage the monitoring and security so you can focus on running your business.

Installation

Nearly all the companies we evaluated provide professional installation, either by their own professionals or through third-party installers or dealers. The number of doors that an access control system can cover varies by company. Some companies cover as many doors as you need but are limited in how many door readers each control panel supports. You may have to install multiple control panels if you need to cover more than just a few doors, and that can be costly and take up space. Other services have the capacity to host unlimited doors.

In most cases, systems can accommodate an unlimited number of employees. It's also rare for a company not to push free firmware updates to the system once they are released.

There are four main forms of authentication: a physical credential like a card or key fob, a password or PIN, a mobile app, and biometric ID like your fingerprint. Biometric credentials are becoming more popular. Many of the companies we reviewed offer biometric devices.

For optimal security, use at least two of these methods for authentication. This practice is known as layered security, which requires employees to go through multiple safeguards before entering your business.

If an employee leaves the company, whether they resign or are terminated, their credentials should be voided immediately. Most control systems have an option to instantly revoke an employee's access, and some can even automatically suspend credentials if the system detects suspicious behavior.

There are four main types of access control systems:

• Locally hosted (onsite): Hosted access control is where the access control software platform is loaded onto a local server, which is managed by your business's IT team. With hosted access control, your service provider will have to send a security integration vendor on-site (or connect remotely to the server) to perform regular maintenance and software updates.
  
  
• Cloud-based: A cloud-based access control system has centralized management, visibility, and control, all hosted in the cloud, which means there are no hardware, server, or physical maintenance costs.
  
  
• Mobile or smartphone-based: Mobile access control enables mobile devices – smartphones, wearables, etc. – to be used as credentials to grant access.
  
  
• IoT-based: An Internet of Things access control system includes intelligent machines connected via a wireless network that open and secure doors.

Each type of access control has its benefits and drawbacks, and should be considered based on the unique needs of your business. For example, cloud-based systems are flexible and can be easily scaled as your business grows, and mobile systems are easy to use and require little physical hardware.

How does access control work?

An access control system works by providing flexible security options to enter your business premises. You can use key cards, biometrics, mobile apps, and other forms of credentials to open or lock doors.

Why use an access control system instead of keys?

An access control system can provide extra or more stringent security than a traditional set of keys by requiring multiple credentials. It allows you to have systems in place in case the credentials are lost. If you are only using keys and those keys get lost, your only option is to go get another set.

Additionally, an access control system can prevent an unauthorized person using the credentials through a two-factor system. When implemented properly, this increases your building's greater security.

What is an access card?

An access card is a plastic card with a microchip or magnetic strip that makes it recognizable by a card reader, which then opens a door for the user.

Should different employees have access privileges based on certain days and times?

While this determination ultimately hinges on what you deem appropriate, many access control systems allow you to restrict access for employees depending on their shifts or which doors they need to access and when. For example, you can give a manager access to every door on your premises throughout the day, while a shift employee may only have access during their shift.

Can access control systems help your business save money?

Yes, companies can save money because they don't have to pay for expensive locks and security personnel. Additionally, lost keys or physical credentials can be costly to replace. Implementing an access control system with mobile app access or keycodes can help you avoid those unnecessary costs.

What is physical access control?

Physical access control is any mechanism that a user interacts with to gain access to a building, such as a door lock, keypad or card reader. Physical access control can also include biometric readers, RFID scanners or fob controls. Your physical access control systems should be secure and adaptable to your business's changing needs.

We tested these companies' customer support thoroughly, seeing if their customer service representatives were knowledgeable, transparent and accommodating. We took into account the timeliness of each company's response, as well as whether it has 24/7 support available or offers live chat on its website. A company that conducts training for your employees on how to use the system is . Typically, access control companies are also security companies and offer a bevy of resources on how to improve your security on their websites.

Access Control: Traditional vs. IP Systems

There are two main types of access control systems. The first is the traditional method where control panels act as hubs for door readers, door locks, cameras and the system's interface, usually a PC. The door readers and control panels connect with proprietary power and communication wiring.

The second, newer type of access control is called an IP system, or a cloud-based system, in which the door readers connect directly to a network, usually through Ethernet or wireless signals. Instead of control panels, these systems are usually run with a less bulky and easier-to-install network hub.

IP systems have gained popularity as cloud storage becomes more commonplace in both business and personal realms. Many businesses choose IP systems for their ease of use, accessibility and reliability, though there is still contention in the security market over which method is better.

IP systems are much simpler to set up, usually just needing Ethernet connections to your company's network rather than serial connections to multiple control panels. There is no limit to how many door readers can connect to an IP system, while in a traditional system, control panels can only be connected to a handful of doors, so you'd need several panels to secure a building with many access points.

Critics say IP systems are less secure than traditional proprietary access control setups because network outages can affect performance and they are more susceptible to hackers. Ultimately, the system that would best suit your company depends on your needs. Some access control services offer both options and will work with you to determine which type would work best.

Security professionals recommend that businesses do a yearly review of their security and access control. Consider your security needs and how your current system has served you. If there have been any security incidents over the past year, reflect on whether your current system is at fault and if it could be more secure.

As part of your company's routine security inspections, examine the hardware involved with the access control system and check door readers, along with the wiring that connects them to the system, for signs of tampering. If the system is connected to a control panel, be sure it is installed in a secure location that remains locked at all times.

You can enhance your security by setting up an anti-passback system. This means setting up a reader on both sides of a door, requiring employees to use their credentials to exit the building as well as to enter. An anti-passback system prevents credentials from being used to enter a door twice, because it detects that the user is already in the building and knows they haven't left until they've used the exit reader. This can protect against cases of copied cards, employees or guests passing cards to others after opening the door, or passcodes falling into the wrong hands.