Access Control - What Is Access Control?

Access control, is a term taken from the linguistic world of security. It means,
in general - the execution of constrictions and limitations on whoever tries to
invade a certain protected property. These restrictions, or it you'd like - the
access control elements, manifest physically in locks, keys, electronic and digital
means. Ofcouse, a person guarding an entrance, is also practicing access control.

What are the common most types of access control?

I would take a very obvious guess and suggest that the reader of this article
has several types of access control around him or her - let us take a quick survey
around them. Starting off with the computer in front you. Large percentage of computer
users have an antivirus running on their computer, a firewall, a pop-up blocker
and other programs all with access control functions. All of these guard us from
intruders of sorts. They inspect everything that sits on the computer or trying
to enter it and smartly enough let it in or leave it out. Since computers have sophisticated
access control capabilities - they can ask for authentication, look for digital
signatures, encryption methods and so much.

Now, if you would leave your comfortable computer chair for a moment and go out
the room - you would probably pass through a door. This door much like the windows
close to it - is the most popular access control method in any basic home security.
Taking it from the basic to the more complicated - take a look at the door's handle.
You have to twist or pull the handle in order to open the door, don't you? This
is access control at it's very core. Without this handle and it's inner mechanism,
it would be swinging, and won't stop anyone - not even a domestic kitten. Below
the handle, we may find a lock of sorts (most probably a cylinder lock) and a keyhole.
This lock will, hopefully stop anyone trying to get through the door - but hasn't
got the key. In the 21st Century we see more and more keypads, or if you'd like
keyless entry
systems. These will replace one day our ordinary set of keys.

In today's world, these locks and keys are beginning to look differently. As
technology progresses, the locks of today got smarter - they can recognize patterns
of your physical features, your voice,
fingerprint
locks read your fingerprints. Access control has a fascinating ever progressing
evolution, it's a rapidly growing market - and in the near future may manifest it
self in ways we cannot even imagine.