Page 22 - Security Today, March/April 2023

Wireless Growth Continues Access control revolves around affordability, faster and easier installs and labor efficiency
By Lester LaPierre
After 20 years on the mar- ket, it is safe to say that wireless electronic access control (EAC) has hit the mainstream. In 2022, wire- less solutions dominated the major projects involving digital access solutions, and the trend appears to be growing as organiza- tions ramp up plans for 2023. The primary drivers revolve around wireless EAC’s af- fordability, faster and easier installation, greater scalability, labor efficiency, and compatibility with wired solutions.
With its higher degree of flexibility and cost-effectiveness, the technology now al- lows facilities to secure the many doors that used to be impractical to address with access control, which in turn is helping businesses and institutions be more resilient, responsive and safer in today’s fast-changing world.
WIRELESS ADOPTION
While many facilities are deploying EAC solutions today, many have not taken the leap to leverage wireless access control and the many advantages that it provides.
Fortunately, a fast-growing number of organizations have wisely made the shift to incorporate wireless into their electron- ic access control security strategy. In col- lege residence halls it’s not unusual to see a mix of traditional wall readers, integrated wired locks and PoE wired access control on perimeter doors and lower-cost Wi-Fi locks on suite and room doors.
Wired systems are relatively simple to deploy during new construction when walls and ceilings are still open and before the sheetrock goes up. However, even in new construction, organizations are able to stretch their budgets by incorporating a mix of wireless solutions along with their traditional wired options.
For existing buildings, replacing me- chanical locks with wired access control de- vices can take five to ten hours of labor for each doorway, coordination among mul- tiple trades, and require time and materials to repair surfaces punched out for retrofits. This can be particularly challenging in his- toric buildings or on walls with high-end finishes. There is also the impact of noise,
dust, and business disruptions to consider.
SCALABILITY
Wireless EAC offers a much easier and more cost-effective alternative. Built-in technolo- gies and fewer components translate into significantly faster installation, minimal im- pact to surfaces, and less clutter. Labor effi- ciencies and savings on materials also mean facilities can stretch budgets to bring access control deeper into a building where doors might have been too difficult or expensive to secure in the past. Furthermore, wireless devices such as surface-mounted credential readers are simple to install on glass, stone, and other architecturally significant materi- als. Some are installing them outdoors for ADA-compliant openings.
In addition, wireless access control in- stalled on remote entry gates and parking facility openings within signal range. The technology also creates opportunities to extend security to non-traditional doors on cabinets, equipment closets, lockers, drawers and server racks. For traditional or non-traditional openings, wireless EAC applications integrated into existing wired electronic access control infrastructure, and managed as one hybrid system.
WIRELESS ACCESS CONTROL
Credential technology is continuously evolving to ensure the highest level of se- curity – an important reason to build an access control infrastructure with resil- iency and future proofing in mind. This evolution is an important consideration
as facilities evaluate their options for EAC locks and readers. Planning should include a migration path that allows for a seam- less transition from legacy credentials to higher security card formats, mobile cre- dentials, and other emerging technologies. Fortunately, today’s wireless locking solu- tions support the latest credentials.
Another benefit of wireless access control is an extended resiliency. With access grant- ed/denied decisions taking place within the lock, there is no need to connect these open- ings to building-wide uninterruptable power supplies that are limited to days, not years. What’s more, audit trails are also maintained. Once the system is back online, the locks will reconnect to accept changes in access rights, as well as upload transaction logs.
Lower electrical consumption is anoth- er positive. Off-the-shelf, low-cost batter- ies that last for years power Wi-Fi locks. They only operate when a credential is presented, or when an automatic update is pushed. That means they consume a frac- tion of the electricity used by wired locks that are “always on”. Even though they draw minimal power when locked and idle, wireless locks “wake up” immediately once a credential is presented.
WIRELESS OPTIONS
The two most sought-after wireless access control technologies currently available are IP-enabled intelligent Wi-Fi and real- time wireless.
IP-enabled Wi-Fi includes intelligent locks and exit devices that provide a com-
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