Tag: building access control

Building Security

Resources on Building Security

If you are interested in securing physical buildings, this post is for you. I’ve assembled a few terms, a lot of vendors, and added various notes on their offerings. Also some resources at the end of the article for further exploration.

Some Basic Things to Note

  • Building Security can cover a number of technologies including:
    • Access Control – Who can get in and out of the building, through which doors, and when.
    • Intrusion Detection – Notifications when the building has been breached – e.g., a door has been forced open or a window has been smashed.
    • Cameras – Indoors and outdoors.

Vendors

  • Allegion
    • One of their brands appears to be Schlage.
    • Their consumer based site is more easily navigable, but doesn’t include the advanced features for commercial use.
    • Their Schlage AD Networked (Wireless) appear to cost around $1k each. They are meant for doors with a regular handle, not those usually associated with external entrances.
    • Also offers a line called ENGAGE.
  • ASSA ABLOY
    • Sargent Lock – Options don’t appear as robust as SALTO.
    • Yale Locks & Hardware
    • Under their own name offer PROTEC2 CLIQ, which appears to allow for programmable keys to be used with mechanical locks.
    • Also under their own name is Aperio, which is a wireless solution. It appears to be used as an integration into existing AC solutions rather than one on its own.
  • Bosch Security
    • Offers the AMC2 for 1-8 doors. There are then expansion cards which allow one to add additional doors, these cards can handle another eight or sixteen doors, depending on the model.
    • Offer a number of different types of card readers including proximity and biometric.
    • Their Access Professional software can manage up to 10k records.
    • Also has the Access Easy Control System which appears to be quite scalable.
    • Concluding Thought: Could be more IP / wireless / smartphone / etc. based.
  • Cloudastructure
    • An Access Control solution as a service, also provides video.
    • Pricing is per door for access control. Without a contract this is $16.50/mo. if paid annually.
    • Cost for hardware is $349/door without a BBU, or $699/door with a BBU.
    • You don’t have to use their cloud surveillance service with cameras, but if you choose to do so cost is $20.75/mo. per camera when paid annually.
    • Supports any readers that output in the Wiegand format.
    • Equipment is guaranteed for life.
  • CPI Security
    • Looks interesting, offers home and business systems.
  • Genetec
    • Impressive series of solutions.
    • Supports ASSA, SALTO, and Allegion locks (all provide wireless options).
  • Honeywell
  • IDenticard
    • Offers the PremiSys Access Control System
      • PremiSys LT – up to 8 doors.
      • PremiSys – up to 40 doors.
      • PremiSys Pro – unlimited doors.
        • Pricing on the site indicates cost is $3,495 for a single network license.
    • PremiSys includes smartphone access.
    • There is also a PremiSys NDE option which integrates with Schlage (Allegion’s) NDE locks.
  • Johnson Controls
    • Merging with Tyco.
  • Keri Systems
    • NXT System – Hardware, integrates directly with existing IP network.
      • PXL-500 is their legacy system.
    • Doors.NET – Software, written using .NET Framework and SQL Server.
      • Doors 32 is their legacy system. It is available as a free download.
    • Also has other solutions – e.g., telephone based access control, single door controller.
  • Keyscan Access Control Systems
  • Lenel
    • Offers integrated solutions for access control (OnGuard), video (Prism, Lenel NVR), intrusion, and fire.
    •  OnGuard
      • Has a self-service component allowing individuals to easily request new clearances.
  • ProdataKey (PDK)
    • Offers a wireless mesh access control system.
    • Requires a appliance which can be virtual or physical to access as the brains.
    • One can purchase single or eight door controllers, which communicate back to the central appliance.
    • Gateways allow for connecting multiple buildings.
    • They also sell repeaters to strengthen signal.
  • S2 Security
    • Offers Access Control Systems as well as Video Systems.
    • Access Control Systems
      • S2 NetBox – For up to 32 portals.
      • S2 NetBox Extreme – For up to 128 portals.
        • Has the ability to oversee multiple locations.
      • S2 NetBox Enterprise – For up to 7,000 portals, available in an HA configuration.
      • Also S2 Global.
      • Difficult to find pricing.
  • SALTO Systems
    • Offers several innovative product lines, integrates with Tyco’s Software House.
    • Biggest downside is that while there is smartphone as identity support, one has to launch and interact with an app to utilize it.
    • Another (possible) downside is that it uses ZigBee protocol. This means less energy consumption for wireless devices but also that it has to maintain its own network in addition to the wireless network.
  • Tyco Security Products
    • CEM Systems – Sells the AC2000 series.
    • Kantech – Offers “starter kits” that come prepackaged with necessary equipment.
      • Each enclosure controls 8-12 doors.
    • Software House
      • C•CURE is their overall system, integrating access control, security, and video.
      • iSTAR Ultra Door Controller – Controls up to 32 doors.
  • Vanderbilt Industries
    • Access Control Systems
      • lite blue – 2-8 door.
      • bright blue – 32 door.
      • SMS
    • Also carries security video.
  • Viscount Systems
    • Access Control Systems
      • Supposed to be “IT-centric”, doesn’t require “control panels.”
      • Allows for smartphone authentication.
      • This company looks fairly amazing, but what is the pricing?

Other Vendors

Resources