By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Attendance records; access control decides
An attendance machine records when people arrive. Access control decides whether a door opens for them. Many modern terminals do both: a face or fingerprint match marks attendance and releases the door lock or turnstile in the same moment.
The parts of an access control system
- Readers — face, fingerprint, card, PIN or mobile (Bluetooth/QR).
- Controllers — decide who can open which door, and when.
- Locks — electromagnetic locks, electric strikes, or turnstiles and flap barriers.
- Exit buttons and emergency break-glass releases.
- Power supply with battery backup.
- Software — users, access levels, schedules and reports.
Choosing the lock
| Lock type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Electromagnetic lock (maglock) | Magnet holds the door; releases when power is cut (fail-safe) | Glass and aluminium doors, escape routes |
| Electric strike | Replaces the strike plate; door handle still works from inside | Wooden and steel office doors |
| Drop bolt | Bolt drops into the frame; fail-safe or fail-secure versions | Frameless glass doors |
| Turnstile or flap barrier | Lets one person through per credential | Main entrances with high footfall |
Where to use it
| Area | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Office main entrance | Face terminal with door lock; attendance and access together |
| Server or network room | Face or fingerprint plus card; restricted list |
| Stores and finished goods | Access for named staff only, with CCTV over the door |
| Factory staff gate | Turnstiles with face terminals for high throughput |
| Labs, cash rooms, records | Two-factor (face plus card or PIN) |
Stopping tailgating and pass-back
- Anti-passback: a credential used to enter cannot be used to enter again until it has been used to exit.
- Turnstiles or flap barriers at main entrances so only one person passes per match.
- Door-held-open and forced-door alarms on sensitive doors.
- Two-factor (face plus card or PIN) for server rooms, strong rooms and labs.
- Interlock (mantrap) doors where one door must close before the next opens.
Combine with CCTV
A camera above each controlled door lets you match every access event with video. Some platforms link the two so you can jump from an access record straight to the footage. This combination closes the gap where someone follows an authorised person through a door (tailgating).
Office CCTV planning guide →Planning checklist
- List every door and the groups of people who need each one, and when.
- Check door type, frame and glass to choose locks.
- Identify escape routes and fire-alarm interface points.
- Plan cabling for readers, locks, exit buttons and controllers to a secure location.
- Decide on credentials: face, fingerprint, card, mobile, or a mix.
- Plan battery backup and what each door should do in a power cut.
- Agree who administers users and reviews logs.
Safety first
- Doors on escape routes must release in an emergency — use fail-safe locks and break-glass releases.
- Link access control to the fire alarm so doors unlock automatically in a fire.
- Provide battery backup so doors behave predictably in power cuts.
Quick answers
Can one machine do both attendance and door access?+
Yes. Many face and fingerprint terminals record attendance and open the door lock at the same time.
What happens to access-controlled doors in a fire?+
Doors on escape routes should be linked to the fire alarm and use fail-safe locks so they unlock automatically.
Is face recognition secure enough for a server room?+
With liveness detection it is strong; for high-security rooms, combine face with a card or PIN.
Fail-safe or fail-secure: which should we choose?+
Doors on escape routes should be fail-safe, unlocking when power is lost. Fail-secure suits store rooms and cash rooms that must stay locked, provided people can still exit from inside.
Can visitors be given temporary access?+
Yes, through temporary cards, QR passes or time-limited face enrolment via visitor management.