Security Oxford

That networked solutions will play a role in future security systems is not in doubt. One area where TCP/IP technology is already firmly entrenched is access control. However, is the technology only ideal for larger campus-style sites, or can it offer benefits to small and medium sized applications? There aren’t many facets of the security industry that haven’t been touched by the IP revolution and it’s easy to see why. IP enabled devices offer extra flexibility. Access control is one area that has embraced advances in IP technology, but is it really through a case of demand driving the advances, or is it simply because the technology exists?

In terms of functionality, IP- enabled access control offers marginal benefits over traditional systems. The biggest fear of IP in security is limitations relating to bandwidth. Certainly in CCTV, considerations have had to be applied to bandwidth demand. Access control has the benefit of placing less strain on a network. Generally, IP-based access systems comprise of a central unit, usually a PC or controller, which contains a database of staff with varying levels of privilege. This central unit is connected to a number of controllers linked to readers.

IP Access benefits

No matter what size of installation, the most obvious benefit of IP enabled access control is the ability to use existing infrastructure- and it’s something that access control manufacturers are very keen on promoting. Tou can scythe large chunks out of installation time when compared to time spent cabling a traditional access project with copper wire. Installers can then benefit from not having to specify more controller capacity than necessary, allowing them to quote cheaper and install faster and more effectively.

Using an existing network will offer substantial savings on installation time, but there are downsides. Often, existing networks were not built with security in mind, and assessing the true capablities of a network may be difficult. Assuming a site has a dedicated IT department, they are traditionally very guarded about their networks. An IT manager isn’t going to offer up detailed information on the network, as it is the backbone of a company. This creates a number of issues. the network you intend to use for critical security could be an unknown quantity. Reliability issues will be unknown, as will its general capacity. Do you really want to hang access control off an infrastructure that you can’t control?

With the rise in popularity of IP-based security systems, IT departments are getting more and more involved with security and with a shift in attitude, they may not always be guarded regarding network details. Some manufacturers are finding that IT departments are more involved with IP-enabled access control. Using an existing network gives the installer a good opportunity to utilise the benefits of IP  access control- namely a faster installation time. Using an existing IP network can still be problematic though. On the face of it, being able to leverage the power of existing corporate networks make a lot of sense. Most companies will have invested heavily in both capacity and security- which should put to bed any fears about bandwidth and security breaches though hacking. Certain manufacturers will have you belive that this is the end of the story- a case of simply installing the equipment, plugging into a network and job completed. It can be that easy, but evidence from both installers and manufacturers suggests that it is rarely the case.

Difference of opinion

Stories and viewpoints on the use of existing infrastructers differ greatly. One manufacturer told PSI about a college project that was installed using an existing network. The installation was relatively trouble  free