Touchless access control keeps buildings secure
Touchless access control solutions allow businesses to protect both employees and company property without the need for physical contact. In concept, they operate the same way that traditional access control systems do—a number of authorized users have the means to enter a facility or building sector, while unauthorized individuals are kept out. With these precautions, businesses are able to ensure worker safety and keep a log of any movement within their buildings.
Without having to fumble with keypads or physical keys, employees can safely enter a facility quickly and without hassle. Touchless access control options include:
- Contactless smart cards: Powered by encoded microchips, contactless smart cards communicate with scanners using high-frequency fields. Users simply need to wave the card a few inches away from a scanner to gain facility access.
- License plate recognition (LPR): Placed in front of parking garages or gated parking lots, LPR systems use fixed cameras to analyze the license plates of approaching vehicles. If the license plate number is catalogued within the enterprise database, the vehicle is permitted to enter. LPR systems eliminate the need for any extra decals or codes, and revoking access to a specific license plate can be done within minutes.
- Biometric authentication: Although some biometric systems require physical touch (e.g., fingerprint scanners), others don’t. For example, facial recognition software is now widely available to companies of all sizes. Highly secure and intuitive to use, biometric systems are perfect for companies that want an extra layer of protection.
- Mobile-based access: Given the ubiquitous nature of smartphones, many companies are finding ways to implement them into their security systems. Using technologies like Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and near-field communication (NFC), authorized smartphones can now unlock security systems without the use of physical contact or extra hardware.