Racing to the Edge
- By Steve Fisher
- Aug 01, 2009
While security has raced forward with IP video
and digital video management, similar bursts are
surfacing in the general access control market.
Access control hardware first found its way onto IP networks in the early 1990s, but the
movement toward any true functionality beyond the basic data gathering panels running on
networks is a more recent trend that poses a certain degree of challenge and understanding.
A brief explanation of the evolutionary history of access control will serve to highlight the
benefits and challenges associated with true IP-based access control.
The basic architecture of access control has evolved from a network topology; however,
in its infancy, the technology was strictly limited to private, dedicated networks of proprietary
cable structure. As products have gained sophistication, IP networks became the standard
communication for the core intelligence functions of the access control network. This
design is centered around the concept of distributive intelligence whereas the peripheral
card readers remained hardwired from the portal to a central communication controller to
store offline activities and process access decisions based upon predefined criteria.
Overall network stability was a limiting factor in moving the basic peripheral components
onto a network. The concept of distributive intelligent architecture proved to be an
advancement in data handling via IP networks, distribution of decision-making capabilities
and functional archiving of event activity in the event of network outages. This system architecture
has been the backbone of access control systems for the past 15 years, but technology
has now emerged that returns full circle to the original network topology -- only now
residing on standard IP networks rather than the dedicated networks of yore.
Today, the focus on edge technologies is changing the general access control market in
major ways. The initial benefits in the use of a managed IP network infrastructure are the
deployed standards and perceived benefits in reduced cabling and associated labor costs.
More demonstrable benefits are emerging with the use of digital identities through smart
cards, biometric devices and the seamless convergence of access transaction data with digital
video and audio. In a general security approach, systems such as access control, CCTV
and critical communications all exist to augment each other. With the IP standard firmly in
place, it can be seamlessly provided through one connection to the network in the locale of
the specific portal.
Additionally, the data stream of live events can be merged and stored so the entire event
is documented in a common file for review and investigation rather than matching events on
disparate systems. All of this functional efficiency is being deployed at an increasing rate;
however, as with any new technology, there are pitfalls that must be understood and avoided.
Availability of network. While the standard robust IP network is generally available
within a facility, some IT professionals are apprehensive of placing network access physically
outside of the building in commonly controlled portals such as parking gates, turnstiles
around perimeter fencing and exterior points on the building. In these applications,
the continuation of standard access control can become the dominant solution, which
ultimately results in a hybridized system. This is not a bad thing
as it enhances a general level of security both physically and logically,
but it serves to mitigate the demand for edge
devices in other areas of the facility as well.
Availability of features. Many of the existing edge products
are relatively new to the market and, more importantly, new to
the industry. As such, they provide the end user with a relatively
thin set of access control features. Dozens of sophisticated
features have been developed and have evolved in the 20-year
progress of the general access control industry. Many of those
features have become widespread in the deployment of the systems
and are typically taken for granted. This poses a challenge
in the migration or expansion of existing systems and can often
prove to be a limiting factor in the move to an exclusive IP-based
access control system.
Regulatory environment. Most IT professionals have limited
experience with fire and life safety issues pertaining to facility
management and the regulations in force. Each municipality
has various interpretations of the widely used national standards.
This can have a great impact when deploying PoE technologies
available with the IP access control equipment.
While PoE makes immediate sense in the deployment of IP
video, caution needs to be taken in looking to power electrical
locks with this same technology. Fire marshals control building
occupancy, and an oversight in this area could be very costly
and embarrassing.
Viable solutions exist. All of these challenges can be dealt
with as the industry moves to adapt a more IP-centric product
offering. But as it relates to access control, the race to the
edge should be more of a managed walk to avoid the
potential pitfalls most clearly suggestive of an enthusiastic
herd of lemmings.
This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Network-Centric Security.
About the Author
Steve Fisher is the president and CEO of Open Options Inc.