Access Control Security System



             


Friday, April 25, 2008

Why you should use GoToMyPC for Internet Remote PC Access and Control

GoToMyPC is a service provided by Citrix Online. Citrix Online is a division of Citrix Systems the top performing, NASDAQ listed, networking company.

With these credentials to back it up GoToMyPC has established itself as the foremost remote desktop control service. It is simply the most user friendly, most reliable and most secure remote desktop access service available.

If you are not really a computer geek, but you need access to your work PC from home or vice versa, then you should have a serious look at the PC remote control service provided by GoToMyPC.

GoToMyPC is a managed service. That means that you don't have to open ports, configure IP addresses, concern yourself with firewalls or user rights, or do anything else that steals your time.

Installation requires a few simple clicks of the mouse. Go to the GoToMyPC site and follow the instructions. The service will install a small program on the computer that you want to access remotely.

You can then access your PC with any other PC with a web browser and an Internet connection. Simply surf to the GoToMyPC website and from there you call up your computer.

The security of your PC is of the utmost importance with this type of application. This may be the most important reason why you should not use any remote PC access service. GoToMyPC uses a unique 128-bit encrypted key for each connection. The encryption key is based on an access code that resides on the host computer and a random bit sequence. The access code is never transmitted or stored on the Citrix Online servers. Simply put, your PC-to-PC communications cannot be hacked.

Citrix Online has a strong privacy policy and will not disclose your information to third parties.

The above factors need to be considered carefully when you choose a remote access service. Rest assured that your personal information and the integrity of your PC is safe when you use Citrix GoToMyPC. This may not necessarily be true for any other service provider.

You need user friendliness, reliability and security with remote desktop access and control software. GoToMyPC will provide you with the best of all three of these.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Access Control: An Introduction To Access Control

The Problem

Your building is secure at night, but during the day there are several doors that have to be open. Anybody could walk in. What can you do?

The Solution

You need an Access Control System.

What is an Access Control System?

Access Control is an electronic security system which permits or restricts access to specific areas of a premises. It not only protects property against unwanted visitors but ensures the safety of both the property and of the people inside.

In simple terms, an Access Control System provides control of entry (or exit) through nominated doors via a control panel and some form of electric locking facility.

An Access Control System can be as simple or as complicated as you wish but in each case, the solution will always provide an easy passage for permitted persons around the building.

Door Entry or Access Control?

Door entry is commonly associated with a single door or gate, whereas Access Control is more suited to multiple doors or entry points.

Access Control can also incorporate a host of other features which enhance other areas of the business.

Access Control / Door Entry Technology

There are a number of ways that a permitted user can open a door that is fitted with a system.

PIN Code Entry

The most common unit is the keypad system. This comprises a control unit with a series of numbered push buttons, or a touch-sensitive pad, connected to the lock release mechanism via a control unit located at the entrance.

Magstripe (also called Swipe Card) Readers

Each entry point has a card reader and the user "swipes" an encoded card similar to a credit card to gain entry.

This technology is widely used and there are many choices of manufacturers.

Proximity Readers

Rather than swiping the card or tag, it is simply presented to a reader which typically will see the card at a distance of about 100mm. This is a fast, non-contact, method of entry.

Long Range Readers

Long range proximity readers (of approximately a meter or so) automatically unlock or open a door when it detects the card.

This is particularly suitable for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) as no action is required by the card bearer.

Smartcard Readers

For systems that use cards or tags, these cards can also carry additional information which can be used for other building services - - for example, time and attendance functions, integration with payroll systems, car park management and even vending machine applications.

Biometric Readers

A Biometric Reader system uses unique human characteristics - such as finger prints or a retina scan - to clearly identify those who are permitted access.

As there are no cards or tags which can be stolen or lost, or open to misuse, this type of system significantly increases the level of security.

What about Visitors?

You will want to welcome most of those who visit your premises, so it must be easy for them to let you know they are there.

The three most common means of attracting attention are:

* A simple door bell system which alerts your staff to the fact that there is someone waiting outside. * An audio intercom panel which allows the visitor to have a direct conversation with a member of your staff and, if appropriate, the door can be remotely released. * An audio intercom panel with a camera facility which allows your staff to see who wants to enter the building before permitting access.

Once access has been permitted, the visitor can either be escorted around or issued with a card or pin number for the duration of their visit.

Things to Consider

When planning an Access Control system, you should consider the following:

* How many entry/exit points * Where are these located> * Level of security desired * The movement of staff around the building * Method of operation * Future growth of building * Turnover of employees * Disability access * Interface with other systems - for example, the fire alarm

As with any type of security system, it is sensible to employ a company that you can trust. Make sure you use a NSI (NACOSS) approved organisation; this will ensure that your system will be designed and installed by professionals

Pete Childs is the Sales Manager of Christie Intruder Alarms. CIA install and Maintain Security Systems including Access Control and CCTV.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Fabrics, accessories, and custom shutters provide excellent privacy control for the bedroom and bathroom windows

If your bedroom or bathroom faces the street or a nearby neighbor, issues of privacy and light control, plays a very important part in addressing your wellbeing and piece of mine. There are a couple of window treatments available to choose from such as lined panels, operative shutters, or light-controlling blinds. Either one of these window treatments will secure your privacy from unwanted eyes while taking a shower or changed your clothing.

Keeping light out of the bedroom is as important as letting it in or controlling its levels. Blinds do not offer as much noise control as heavy fabric shades and provide privacy only when they are completely closed. Heavy draperies are seldom appropriate for the scale and style of bedrooms, so use a combination of light draperies, shades, or blinds. Check the fabric to determine how much privacy and light control it offers.

Natural light is optimal light. To achieve good natural light control during the day, hang a flexible window treatment that provides privacy but let in maximum daylight. The best investment is a set of plantation shutters or high-quality blinds. If blinds blades don't fit tightly and are turned downwards, upstairs neighbors may be able to see through them. The same goes for blades turned upward, downstairs neighbors may be able to peer in.

A blind with standard white plastic or metal blades is always a good choice, while shiny; chrome blades express a sleek, chic style. Both are waterproof and easily cleaned with a dust cloth or a brush designed for blind blades. Another option is to install a classic white roller shade; it disappears behind a valance when rolled up to let in the light. Bedrooms and bathrooms should be restful, but they don't have to be dull or dated. Give your sleepy abode a wakeup call with lively window treatment.

Roger King has been involved in window treatments for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for window treatment solutions. Visit his Web site http://www.all-windowtreatmentideas.com to learn more about this service.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Paxton Access Releases Net2 v4 Access Control System

Access control integrated with range of building services Paxton Access Limited (www.paxton.co.uk), a market leader in the design and manufacture of electronic access control systems, has released the latest version of Net2, its network access control solution. "Leading a substantial list of innovations in Net2 v4 is our new trigger and action functionality," explains Adam Stroud, Paxton Access' Sales and Marketing Director. "This enables users to link the Net2 software with a range of building services to generate specific actions as a result of trigger events. This will prove enormously popular with users and demonstrates our belief in the future of 'intelligent integration'." Potential applications for 'trigger and action' functionality are enormous. Examples include the ability to link lighting or heating systems to the entry of specific individuals into the building or the ability to notify security of alarm events via email or text message. "Users could even have the lift called for them as they arrive through the main entrance", explains Adam Stroud. A further innovation in Net2 v4 is 'Site Graphics', a feature that allows the user to 'place' all doors and cameras onto a visual representation of the user's site imported into the Net2 software. This means that security staff can swiftly identify the location of an alarm event and double click on the camera associated with it to view live images of what is occurring at the relevant door. This reduces the level of staff training required and reduces the need for security personnel to know the building intimately. Also, if security staff need to leave the screen unattended for any reason staff can set 'monitor doors'. Any events that occur at these specified doors while staff are away from the screen remain visible on screen until staff return and turn off the monitoring function. Net2 v4 also features integration with Milestone Systems' IP video surveillance software. This facilitates the viewing of time and location-linked video of subjects entering the building, events that are associated with an IP camera show an additional icon. To view what has caused an alarm, simply double click the icon and view the footage. The system is also invaluable in gathering evidence in the event of a subsequent prosecution. For further information contact Trish Bambury on tel: 0870 608 0886 or visit www.paxton.co.uk Submitted by Qube Magazine, for more articles visit www.qubeonline.co.uk

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Access Control List in .

BalajiAccess Control List in .NET Framework

Once you complete developing a web application, you need to secure it. This is when the aspect of security comes into picture. There will be some portions of your application which need to be secured from users. Securing an application may need extra hardware to build complex multi-layer systems with firewalls, and also some highly secure features. Security enables you to provide access to a specified user after the user is authenticated and authorized to access the resources in your web application. The Access Control List is used in the authorization process.

The basic concepts of security are Authentication, Authorization, Impersonation and Data or functional security. Authentication is the process that enables to identify a user, so that only that user is provided access to the resources. Authorization is the process that enables to determine whether a particular user can be given access to the resources that the user requests. Impersonation is the process that provides access to resources requested by a user under a different identity. Data or functional security is the process of securing a system physically, updating the operating system and using robust software.

Some elements of an operating system, the Internet Information Server (IIS), and the .NET Framework work in coordination to provide the features required to execute the security concepts mentioned above. For example, Windows 2000 uses its own list of user accounts for identifying and authenticating users. IIS identifies the users based on the information provided by Windows, when the users access a web site. IIS after identification of the users, passes this information to ASP.NET. Then the user information is checked for authorization.

To restrict access to the users for certain resources of an application, a process of identifying the users becomes a necessity. Authentication enables to restrict a user to access the resources by certain ways. It could be a combination of a username and password, a digital certificate, a smart card or a fingerprint reader. The validity of the information provided by the user helps identify the user, so that the user is provided access to the requested resources. The process of successful identification of the user implies that the user is authenticated.

After identification of the user is over, the next step is to determine whether the authenticated user has access to the resources. The process of determining the access to the resources for a particular user is known as Authorization. In Windows based systems, resources have an Access Control List, which provides a list of users who have access to that resource. The list also specifies the kind of access such as read, write, modify, and delete the resource, for each user. For example, if a user requests an ASP page, the operating system checks whether the user has Read access to the page and if the user has read permission, then the operating system allows the IIS to fetch the page. The IIS has authorization settings which enable the IIS to control the access of resources by users. File Access Control Lists are set for a given file or directory using the Security tab in the Explorer property page.

To access online version of the above article, go to http://www.dotnet-guide.com/accesscontrol.html

Once you complete developing a web application, you need to secure it. This is when the aspect of security comes into picture. There will be some portions of your application which need to be secured from users. Securing an application may need extra hardware to build complex multi-layer systems with firewalls, and also some highly secure features. Security enables you to provide access to a specified user after the user is authenticated and authorized to access the resources in your web application. The Access Control List is used in the authorization process.

The basic concepts of security are Authentication, Authorization, Impersonation and Data or functional security. Authentication is the process that enables to identify a user, so that only that user is provided access to the resources. Authorization is the process that enables to determine whether a particular user can be given access to the resources that the user requests. Impersonation is the process that provides access to resources requested by a user under a different identity. Data or functional security is the process of securing a system physically, updating the operating system and using robust software.

Some elements of an operating system, the Internet Information Server (IIS), and the .NET Framework work in coordination to provide the features required to execute the security concepts mentioned above. For example, Windows 2000 uses its own list of user accounts for identifying and authenticating users. IIS identifies the users based on the information provided by Windows, when the users access a web site. IIS after identification of the users, passes this information to ASP.NET. Then the user information is checked for authorization.

To restrict access to the users for certain resources of an application, a process of identifying the users becomes a necessity. Authentication enables to restrict a user to access the resources by certain ways. It could be a combination of a username and password, a digital certificate, a smart card or a fingerprint reader. The validity of the information provided by the user helps identify the user, so that the user is provided access to the requested resources. The process of successful identification of the user implies that the user is authenticated.

After identification of the user is over, the next step is to determine whether the authenticated user has access to the resources. The process of determining the access to the resources for a particular user is known as Authorization. In Windows based systems, resources have an Access Control List, which provides a list of users who have access to that resource. The list also specifies the kind of access such as read, write, modify, and delete the resource, for each user. For example, if a user requests an ASP page, the operating system checks whether the user has Read access to the page and if the user has read permission, then the operating system allows the IIS to fetch the page. The IIS has authorization settings which enable the IIS to control the access of resources by users. File Access Control Lists are set for a given file or directory using the Security tab in the Explorer property page.

To access online version of the above article, go to http://www.dotnet-guide.com/accesscontrol.html

Visit http://www.dotnet-guide.com for a
complete introduction to .NET framework. Learn about ASP.NET, VB.NET, C# and other related technologies.

Labels: , , , , , , ,