Outdoor access control: everything you need to know

There are two key points to consider when it comes to guaranteeing the security of a corporate building or company, Firstly, the management of who accesses the interior spaces of the facilities, and when and where they do so. Secondly, perimeter security, meaning the control of physical access of people to buildings or facilities and the prevention of intrusions by third parties that are not a part of the organization. In this regard, outdoor access control becomes key, and we will focus on this topic in this article.

As internal access (files, offices...) is essential, this makes outdoor access security all the more important.

In this article we are going to explain in exactly which locations outdoor access controls should be located, what must be taken into account when choosing the solution for this access control, and we will present our range of readers designed for outdoor use.

What topics will we discuss in this article??

1. What do we mean by outdoor access control??

1.1. Access control for the main exterior door

1.2. Pedestrian access control from secondary doors

1.3. Access control to parking lots 

    2. What should you consider when choosing an outdoor access control system?
    3. NÜO Planet components for outdoor access control

1.What do we mean by outdoor access control?

An outdoor access control is any system focused on access control that is located in an outdoor location: a parking lot, outdoor and pedestrian accesses, rear doors, accesses to industrial buildings...…

These systems are essential for consolidating the security of a corporate building, home, or company, as they facilitate access control and management, and the ability to grant or deny the passage of subjects and vehicles according to their accreditation.

Access control for main exterior door

By “outdoor door" we refer to accesses from the main entrance doors, where maximum security is imperative. The main door of your company or home must be able to manage both accredited users (employees authorized to access, for example) and non-accredited users who arrive at your facilities, and must be able to contact the interior of the building, or the reception.

In this way, it is essential to find equipment that allows us this duality, usually through reader modules and a video intercom module that are connected to a video console, facilitating communication from the inside with any person who tries to access your facilities.

As the equipment will be located outside the building, it needs to be durable in the face of inclement weather and possible damage: wind, rain, snow, saline environments, high temperatures... It must be made using materials with impeccable outdoor performance, with a high degree of environmental protection and impact resistance.

In this case, the correct configuration of the system is essential, as it is one of the main entry routes into a company, corporate building, office, laboratory, medical or educational center…

Access control from secondary doors

We previously mentioned the importance of controlling the access of employees and visitors through the main doors, but the control of secondary doors or spaces attached to the main facilities is equally important, specifically pedestrian accesses, from the accesses to a warehouse, laboratory, production plant...

In this case, you will normally need access control with an outdoor reader, which may be:

Biometric fingerprint identification	Identification with access cards	Mobile credentials through a smartphone

To facilitate access from outside the building and taking into account that we want to achieve the highest level of security possible, our professional recommendation is to opt for a biometric solution, meaning one that uses the fingerprint as an access control.

These are areas where the elements used must have high resistance and guarantee an infallible reading, as the following scenarios may occur::

The user is wearing gloves.	Very wet or dry fingers.	Disfigured or scarred fingerprints.	Need for remote readers to facilitate the entry of people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

In fact, these secondary pedestrian accesses are sometimes used by personnel with fingerprints which are hard to identify, such as cleaning or industrial staff, that also require the guarantee of a smooth flow of passage.. 

For this reason, experts recommend that these types of accesses or doors are installed to guarantee the total security of the facilities (especially when dealing with back doors or annexes with little surveillance), to guarantee fluid and agile access.

Access control for parking lots

This is one of the most delicate access points, as it is often overlooked in terms of security, so this must be especially taken into account. Unfortunately, thefts and break-ins in parking lots, both public and private, are becoming more frequent. They also constitute an access route for materials, people or elements in the building that may harm its integrity.

Even if the parking lot has an alarm system or CCTV, the most effective tool is the installation of an access control system for outdoor parking lots. In addition to working as a deterrent, this prevents and eliminates access by unauthorized personnel or vehicles.

What should we consider before implementing access control for parking lots?

• Choose systems designed to be installed outdoors. It is necessary that the equipment has a high resistance to extreme weather conditions and impacts, as it is an area vulnerable to incidents...
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• Choose a partner or access control company that is an expert in their field and can recommend la the most appropriate solution based on the requirements of your installation.There are many solutions available for your parking lot. For example:
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• Readers capable of detecting and reading the identification card from a long distance to access the parking lot without having to get out of the car, or even open the window.

• Posts that incorporate both readers for the management of employee access, and video intercom for the management of visitors or non-accredited users, in a single terminal. The latter will not be able to access, but they will be able to communicate with the center to identify themselves.

• Incorporate a camera for the recognition and automatic detection of license plates.

  
  
  
  
  
  

•  We must choose the appropriate reader format according to its location: post-mounted, wall-mounted, etc... In this sense, the design of the reader is especially relevant, as it must integrate perfectly with the building.

• It is worth considering what type of vehicles will access the parking lot (cars, trucks, buses...) in order to choose the reader and its location. For example, specific posts are available for the access of buses, trucks, and vans to the parking lot, adapted to their height, for an optimal experience without having to get out of the vehicle.

• Plan whether a two-way system (entrances and exits) is required or not.

• The system must also have a traffic light signal to display the acceptance or not of the credentials

02. What should you consider when choosing an outdoor access control system?

As we have previously commented, given that their location makes them especially vulnerable to weather and impacts, these factors must be taken into account:

03. NÜO Planet equipment for outdoor access control

Now that we considered the factors for choosing a system and its components, we present our solutions

Air Reader The off-road reader. MIFARE Plus® proximity card reader (state-of-the-art security), with NFC and Bluetooth® technology. Prepared for outdoor operation with an IP67 environmental protection rating and IK08 impact resistance rating. Robust and durable, for intensive working environments.       Find out more

Awa Reader The most versatile reader with the most advanced biometrics on the market. Combined biometrics and proximity reader with optical fingerprint sensor with multi-spectral imaging technology and MIFARE Plus® proximity reader, with Bluetooth and NFC communication. Prepared for outdoor operation with an IP67 environmental protection rating and IK08 impact resistance rating. Guarantees the reading of fingerprints in rain, snow, saline environments, extreme temperatures, or when the user is wearing latex gloves. Find out more