Page 8 - Security Today, May/June 2025

A C C E S S C O N T R O L
Fast-Forward from
1,000 B.C.E. to Today
By Peter Boriskin
memorial. In fact, the locksmith profession is one
The lock and key have been around since time im-
of the oldest in the world when you consider the
earliest wooden tumbler lock debuted three-plus
millennia ago.
Of course, the inventors did not exactly call it an “access con-
trol solution” way back then, but the concept was certainly there,
at least in nascent form. The idea was to limit who should be
allowed to enter so property would be better protected, and its
inhabitants would feel safer.
That basic idea remains the foundation of access control to this
day. What has changed, obviously, is the technological progress that
has been made and the interoperable ingenuity that now helps to-
day’s access control solutions complement and reinforce each other.
FROM MECHANICAL LOCKS TO INTELLIGENT KEYS,
MOBILE CREDENTIALS AND BEYOND
It does not take long to recognize how far we have come from
purely mechanical door locks. That is not to say that modern me-
chanical locks and keys are not still extremely useful and valuable.
Take new red button locks on the interior of a growing number
of classroom doors that empower a student to activate a deadbolt
immediately in the event of a threat.
When you look at the innovation that has occurred in electro-
mechanical products, intelligent key systems and digital access
solutions, the evolution is impressive and readily apparent. It has
yielded, by design, incredible door security benefi ts.
When the subject of access control comes up, what comes to
mind most often are electronic access control (EAC) solutions –
particularly those featuring credential readers that activate a door
lock once an authorized fob, keycard or mobile phone is presented.
Mobile credentials have become increasingly important every-
where, especially among college-age students considering which
schools they apply. They expect their phones to fulfi ll an expand-
ing range of transactions – from convenient, secure payments for
food, bookstore, laundry, and other campus services to easy, safe
access to workout facilities, school events, and – most important –
campus housing. In fact, mobile access has become a key selling
point of higher education institutions.
An exciting, new development in digital access solutions is the de-
ployment of facial identifi cation stations on university campuses and
K-12 environments, primarily at openings to athletic workout and
event facilities. Because it is a hands-free credential, athletes, coaches,
and staff do not have to worry about carrying, stowing or keeping
track of a key, fob, card or mobile phone to enter a controlled space.
While mobile devices are excellent and rarely get lost or left
behind, a face is something that is always on you. Attractively
priced and no longer limited to high-security government appli-
cations, facial identifi cation solutions are also gaining interest for
other critical environments and applications, including hospitals
and commercial buildings.
Intelligent key systems are also among the EAC solutions that
keep gaining momentum. Even though the technology has been
around for a while, new applications and benefi cial uses keep
emerging for these advanced electromechanical cylinders and
keys. Effi cient to install and authorize, intelligent key and lock
systems are ideal for retrofi ts, providing robust controlled access
and physical security while increasing accountability.
TRAFFIC CABINETS, SMART LOCKERS AND
MORE FUTURE-FORWARD ACCESS SOLUTIONS
The solution is also getting more notice as a retrofi t for traffi c
control cabinets that house all the electronics for traffi c lights are
connected to municipal and statewide networks. Intelligent locks
and keys help ensure that only authorized personnel have access,
that cabinets are securely closed after equipment is serviced, and
that a destructive breach or cyber threat becomes outdated.
Switch locks are another valuable application for intelligent
key systems. Being able to program when a certifi ed operator can
start and run expensive forklifts, industrial shredders, vehicles
and other equipment can help improve both safety and the secu-
rity of valuable assets.
Key cabinets for securely and reliably storing intelligent keys
on site – as well as keeping them charged – are also an essential
and practical step for the technology. Key cabinets and key man-
agement go a step further by providing audit trails to help keep
track of keys, who has access to them, and when.
Assignable and secure smart package delivery and storage
locker systems are among some of the other extremely benefi cial
EAC security solutions now available.
New, intelligent video visitor intercoms with clear two-way
communication, HD cameras, and buzz-in features provide yet
another layer of electronic access control and are deployed in
multi-family housing, K-12, healthcare facilities, and other loca-
tions where extra measures to vet visitors are essential.
Digital access has also become more affordable, scalable
and practical for small- and medium-sized businesses thanks to
unique products and systems designed for that market.
So many of these solutions and applications are seamless, creat-
ing an even more high-impact solutions – like mobile credentials
and VMS; facial identifi cation and new visitor video intercoms;
and intelligent keys and smart locker systems, to name a few.
Thankfully, the use cases keep growing and the innovations
keep improving as access control solutions
expand to better meet the security and safety
needs of more people and places looking to
protect lives, living spaces and livelihoods.
Peter Boriskin is the CTO and senior vice
president of ASSA ABLOY Americas.
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