An Access Control System Trends and Future Directions - Report Example

Student Name: Institution: Course ID-Course Name Module x, Assignment x Instructor Name Date Abstract An Access Control System (ACS) is a system devised to ascertain who/what has the permission to enter or exit, where and when to enter or exit a property, building, or room to authorized people. According to history, this access was controlled by keys and locks. The only person allowed to enter a locked door is someone with the key. This method had setbacks because mechanical locks and keys do not keep off the key holder from access at specific times or dates, they do not record the specific key and door used, and the key can be to unauthorized persons. Electronic Access Control Systems (EACS) uses computers to counter the above disadvantages of mechanical locks and keys. EACS approves access according to the credentials presented. The credentials mostly a number is sent to a reader, the reader then sends the number to a control panel. The control panel compares the number to an already made access control list and then the results sent to a database. A match between the number and the control list leads to unlocking of the door. The reader often indicates a flashing green LED light for access granted. A mismatch leads to access denial often shown by a flashing red LED light. Access Control Systems Technology Trends and Innovations. Professionalism is a key factor that has enhanced broad changes in ACS. Globalization and technology advancement has extensively contributed to the demand for more advanced security systems. Value creation goes hand in hand with the ACS technology trends and innovations. I will expound more on the trends and innovations in ACS technology. Affluent Functionality- The link between powerful hardware and powerful software has made ACS technologies the primary drive towards the realization of organization’s security objectives. Users can monitor all the activities in a facility and share data (images, audios, and videos) across other systems, for example, visitor management, surveillance, photo-imaging, alarms and elevator control. Systems nowadays have a flexible database structure that captures and stores personal data that is essential in managing cardholder data for access to various rooms in the facility. (Laughlin,2015). Compatibility- The new software and hardware are extremely compatible and are upgraded when new security systems come up. For instance, in a storey building apartment format, the landlord can be able to monitor the whole building on one surveillance camera which is compatible with subsequent cameras mounted on each floor. This medium a vital compatibility factor that has come up due to innovativeness and introduction of new ACS solutions that support multiple client functionalities. (Laughlin, 2015). Cost effectiveness- Modern ACS technology solutions allow users to engrave up to date upgrades without having to completely replace the entire existing ACS infrastructure. The ACS system is made up of many controllers with a standard software that controls separate entrances; let's say a bank safe or a restricted facility door. In this case, when upgrading the system, the centralized controllers can be replaced with new remote interface cards. The installed readers and wiring can remain hence saving time and money. (Laughlin, (2014). Usability and Reliability- ACS technology solutions have always remained usable and reliable regardless of the pressure from the customer to deliver a particular set of features. To realize optimum usability and reliability, there are products of security systems that are disregarded because they have caused a false alarm in the past and the organization’s staff have found them difficult to use and manage. Manufacturers now concentrate on making products and solutions that are user-friendly and are acceptable to the customers. (Krinitt, 2014). Regulatory Compliance and Changing Vertical Market Dynamics- Almost all vertical markets will have an impact on the shaping of ACS technology solutions, but some like the government and healthcare industries will be witnessed faster. For instance, the government sector has government agencies and security standards that are regulated by certain federal guidelines and responsibilities that trend gradually over time. For example, to have a key identification standard for government contractors and employees, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12), was established as a terror attack countermeasure after 9/11 terror attack by former President George Bush administration. HSPD-12 then resulted in the creation of Federal Information Processing Standard-201 (FIPS-201); this stated that all federal employees and contractors must have Personal Identification Verification (PIV) credentials. Some of the non-governmental corporations have also adopted PIV to tighten their organizational ACS technology which in this case explains how the government has influenced access control industry. (Krinitt, 2014). However, the components available in the market did not comply with the PIV standards hence did not operate well. This led to the recent introduction of another program termed as Federal Identity, Credential and Access Management (FICAM), which enabled the operability of end-to-end access control solution because all devices are interoperable together. (Krinitt, 2014). In the healthcare sector, ACS solutions have continuously been improved to ensure patient privacy over the years. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) are some of the regulations that have been implemented to enhance patient’s privacy. In this modern generation of digital information and cyber crime, most of the data breaches constraints are as a result of employee negligence and not hacking networks. Ultimately, physical control measures have become critical since access of unauthorized persons to patients wards, or control rooms can lead to leakage of valuable patients information to identity thieves. (Krinitt, 2014). The constant and continually change in the threat landscape in government and healthcare markets, means that manufacturers, integrators and end users have to come together to develop comprehensive and efficient solutions that meet the fast technology advances. IT and ACS- Since the introduction of IP technology, the interaction of IT and IP has significantly improved in the way security systems are installed, managed and monitored. For example, IT can be used to ascertain the physical location of an organization and its computer networks. This has led to many organizations being able to link up their physical and logical access solution. Smart Phones and ACS Technology Solutions- the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology has been introduced recently as an ACS technology solution which is a wireless connectivity technology that enables the brief exchange of information between electronic devices. NFC offers convenient communication between all consumer devices. Consumers have been excited by the introduction of NFC communication and have wanted to embrace it. However, complete implementation of NFC technology has come with some setbacks. For example, manufacturers have to access Secure Element of the mobile device so as to embed a credential. This means that the manufacturers have to enter into a partnership with wireless carriers. Another setback is the iPhone owns the largest market of Smartphone users and it does not come with NFC technology though there are brighter days ahead because iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones have come with an NFC antenna. However, Apple addresses that there are barriers that developers have faced concerning NFC whereby, it is hard loading an identifier to onto the secure element. (Laughlin, 2015). These NFC setbacks have led to developers seeking an alternative in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology which has some significant advantages over NFC. This is because Bluetooth is available in almost all Smartphone devices and again developers do not have to access Secure Element (SE) to embed the secure credential. (Laughlin, 2015). Technologies will continue fighting the battle of ACS Technologies, and many more innovations will arise. That is for sure. ACS and The End User- Trends and changes in ACS Technologies solutions have become more and more user-friendly. Manufacturers aim at developing more security solutions that increase value to the end users. For example, provision of alert messages to the customer when they swipe at the door or an ATM. Flexible, Secure, Open and Adaptable Solutions- For the support of clients and enhancement of business, Organizations that adopt and become proactive to the rapid changes in the ACS technology security solutions can be able to counter future threats and take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the verge of enhancing customer satisfaction. Adapting solutions that are on industry standards basis, for example, OSDP bidirectional communications, and incorporating diverse technologies, security solutions becomes more independent, and it is easier to evolve. (Krinitt, 2014). Physical Access Control and IT Security Integration- This effective integration will change the way organizations operate positively. In the past, physical access control systems and logical control systems were managed differently which made it tough to administer. Nowadays, organizations are looking forward and trying to link up Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) and IT identities on a single card or Smartphone that can be used to access doors and computers. These provide a more simplified ACS solutions because the user can use one card and/or password to access places or networks. . (Cullis, 2014) This integration means that organizations will be able to improve efficiency by centralizing credential management for many logical and physical access identities. A single ACS technology solution will be used to link up logical and physical access solutions. Multifactor Authentification and ACS Technologies- In this changing IT environment, cyber threats have increased, and the need for strong authentification has raised. Security professionals are coming up with new ways to enhance additional authentification. Rather than adapting simple passwords, strong authentification includes a mobile or a web token that the user is administered using biometric or behavior metric solution. Two-factor authentification is also another way of providing access security by the provision of One Time Pins (OTPs) like it is evidenced with Yahoo and Google email providers. However, the security industry is replacing hardware OTPs with software tokens that can be held on mobile devices, tablets or browser. These though are accompanied by security threats since identity thieves can easily retrieve them. Another multifactor authentication is the multiplication credentials that use a data model which can represent any identity information and can be engraved on smartphones or smart cards. Users only need the latter to access buildings, or VPN authentication, wifi, corporate intranet, cloud and web-based applications and Single-Sign-On (SSO) clients among others. The smart card or the Smartphone is the only device needed, and there will be no need for on-screen password authentication. Biometrics and gesture technology are some other ACS technology solutions on the rise. Mobile Access Control Systems- In this rapidly developing world of technology, mobile devices particularly the smartphones function the way smartcards function. The computing and multimedia capabilities have been immensely improved and are continuously improved to provide a better user-friendly functionality. Smartphones nowadays can perform functions similar to those of card readers and servers. Smartphones can also be used with traditional access systems panels. It can be able to verify identity, permission granting for a particular period, and the Smartphone’s Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) can be used to ascertain whether the person is near the door. (Cullis, 2014) This means that mobile phones (rather than access control systems) make access decisions, and the door (rather than the cards) presents the identity. Hence, organizations will only spend on electronic locks, that respond to mobile devices encrypted (open) command rather than the expensive ACS that need connecting servers, panels and readers. (Cullis, 2014). Biometrics and ACS- The security system industry is continually adopting the biometric authentication model that is focused more on user friendliness rather than technology. Biometrics records the user ID in personal mobile devices making credential delivery and management efficient by using cloud-based solutions where all data is recorded biometrically. Biometric authentication is also evidenced in banks where fingerprint data is taken and recorded in bank databases hence ensuring security since no one can access personal data such as bank account balance or even withdraw on another user’s behalf over the counter. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is clearly and vividly evidenced that Access Control Systems Technology is rapidly advancing and becoming more integrated hence proving users with more advanced functionalities that aid in the realization of ACS success. Apart from value addition to the users, ACS technology solutions feature rich functionality, compatibility, and reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). References Robert Laughlin, (2015). 9 Emerging to Watch in Access Control.Retrieved from Security InfoWatch. http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/12090850/9-emerging-trends-to-watch-in access-control. Jordan Cullis, (2014). Top Five Access Control Trends for 2014. Retrieved from Technology Decisions. http://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/security/article/top-five-access-control-trends-for-2-14-1272545047. Security today (2014). 6 Trends Impacting Access Control and The Overall Security Market. Retrieved from security today. https://securitytoday.com/Articles/2014/12/01/6-Trends-Impacting-Access-Control-and-the-Overall-Security-Market.aspx?Page=1. Read More