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What is a Mobile Access Control Credential and Management System?

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Mobile access control credentials and systems provide a secure, flexible and convenient way to regulate entry to your buildings or properties. This latest technology permits building groups and management to control entry, guard operations, manage guests and remain secure without inconveniencing staff or tenants with different physical access credentials.

A mobile access credential is a token that is loaded into an Application on a smartphone to provide a digital access key. It replaces the traditional physical access control card or fob. However, it may be presented to an access control reader and used in the same way as a card.
In this blog, we’ll show you mobile access solutions and highlight their value for building and property managers.

Mobile Access Control: What Are the Advantages?

Cost-effective and time-saving

Cloud-based mobile access management systems simply work with smartphones, saving everyone time and money. Often, the installation of mobile access control credentials results in savings of up to 50% over traditional physical cards. In addition, since adding and removing users happens digitally, over the air, you may save additional time not manually distributing keys to your tenants or employees.

Enhanced security

Mobile access control systems permit you to simplify entry into your building. By integrating digital access into people’s mobile devices, you largely avoid the headaches of lost and stolen physical access cards.
Physical credentials such as key fobs or key cards are far more susceptible to theft, damage, and/or getting lost. A lost key card may be a vulnerability to your facility.
Mobile access credentials, conversely, provide higher security and flexibility for each user. People are also much less likely to lose track of their high-priced personal smartphones, so there’s less worry regarding keys falling into the wrong hands or becoming lost. If a phone is lost, they are still protected with authentication passcodes or face recognition software. In the worst case, the credential can be deactivated remotely.

Unparalleled convenience

Security and convenience are two of the most significant benefits of cloud-based mobile access credentials and management systems. Mobile devices are easily integrated into the latest access control systems, and many tenants already carry a mobile phone.

Mobile access control systems are also convenient for property owners and building teams. Seamlessly, they give access to the premises with the push of a button. In addition, any updates or changes to a system can be made with ease, digitally and over the air.

Simple auditing and record-keeping

Cloud-based mobile access control systems provide organized auditing and record-keeping capabilities. This technology allows you to keep track of people’s activities in real-time. In case of an emergency, you have immediate access to records for specific locations in your building.

How Do Mobile Credentials for Access Control Work?

The defining characteristic of mobile access control systems is the use of smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets as entry credentials. Since many of us carry a smartphone today, these systems offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience. Furthermore, almost all mobile access systems are compatible with Android and iOS.

Simply put, mobile devices interact with access readers to give end-users access through doors, locks, gates, turnstiles, and more. There are several ways you can implement access control integrations within a mobile device.

ARCO Access Mobile App

ARCO Access App enables real-time scanning of all nearby doors available for the User, based on their GPS location. Access is granted through system generated QR codes that will automatically expire after a given time frame.

  • Displays Sites and Doors 50 meters from the User’s location.
  • Generated QR codes are valid for 30 minutes.
  • ARCO Platform mapping of location on the Dashboard.
  • GPS location of the User activating the panic alarm.
  • ARCO Platform processing of Access events from the phone.
  • English, Chinese, Spanish and French language support.

Sensor Detection as a part of IoT and IIoT

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Sensors are everywhere. They’re in our homes and workplaces, our shopping centres and hospitals. They’re embedded in smart telephones and a vital part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Sensors have been around for a long time. The first thermostat was introduced in the late Eighties, and infrared sensors have been around since the late 1940s. However, the IoT and its counterpart, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), bring sensor utilisation to a brand new level.
Broadly speaking, sensors are devices that detect and respond to changes in an environment. Inputs can come from numerous assets, which include light, temperature, movement and pressure. Sensor outputs provide valuable statistics, and if sensors are linked to a network, they are able to share information with other devices and control systems.
Sensors are critical to the operation of many of today’s organisations. They can alert potential troubles before they grow to be massive problems, for instance, allowing organisations to carry out predictive maintenance and avoid expensive downtime. The information from sensors can also be analysed for trends, allowing business proprietors to gain insight into critical trends and make informed evidence-based decisions.
Sensors come in many shapes and sizes. Some are purpose-built containing many integrated individual sensors, permitting monitoring and measurement of many assets.
There are many varieties of IoT sensors and an even greater range of packages and use cases.

SPG Sensor Remote Device

The SPG Sensor Remote Device (SD1-2ADI-PCB) provides an easy expansion for an S1000 Smart Controller to provide analogue sensing information. It may be linked through the S1000 rules engine and then used to enable automated local decisions and provide an audit trail that can also be passed to ARCO Platform for logging.
The Sensor device runs on an OSDP communication, and up to 16 devices can be connected to an S1000. In addition, each sensor device supports onboard temperature and humidity, light detection and an accelerometer for movement detection.
There are also 2 additional digital/analogue inputs, with the analogue inputs supporting both voltage and current monitoring of third-party sensor devices. In addition, there is also 1 analogue/digital output.

Light Sensor

The Sensor Device enables you to measure the intensity of visible light. The sensor’s spectral response tightly matches the human eye’s photopic response and includes significant infrared rejection.

Features

  • Precision Optical Filtering to Match Human Eye
  • Rejects > 99% (typ) of IR
  • 23-bit effective dynamic range with automatic gain ranging
  • Binary-Weighted Full-Scale Range Settings
  •  0.2% (typ) Matching Between Ranges
  • Flexible Interrupt System

Temperature and Humidity Sensor

The Sensor Device enables the measurement of the surrounding air’s absolute temperature and relative humidity.

Features

  • Fully calibrated, linearised, and temperature compensated data output
  • Parallel measurement of temperature and humidity on separate pins
  • Typical accuracy of 1.5 %RH and 0.2 °C

 

Motion Sensor

The Sensor Device enables inertial measurement using a 6-axis MotionTracking that combines a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer.

Features

  • Digital-output X-, Y-, and Z-axis angular rate sensors (gyroscopes) with a full-scale range of ±250, ±500, ±1000, and ±2000°/sec and integrated 16-bit ADCs
  • Digital-output X-, Y-, and Z-axis accelerometer with a full-scale range of ±2g, ±4g, ±8g and ±16g and integrated 16-bit ADCs
  • Factory calibrated sensitivity scale factor
  • Wake-on-motion interrupt for low power operation of applications processor
  • Minimal cross-axis sensitivity between the accelerometer and gyroscope axes

Hazardous Gas Detection

The Sensor Device enables measurement of gas leakage by detecting LPG, isobutane, propane, methane, alcohol, Hydrogen or smoke gasses.

Features

  • Wide detecting scope
  • Fast response and High sensitivity
  • Stable and long life
  • Simple drive circuit

Pressure Sensor

The Sensor Device enables measurement of barometric pressure based on piezo-resistive technology featuring high accuracy and linearity as well as long-term stability and high EMC robustness.

Features

  • Detects pressure from 300 to 1100 hPa
  • Relative Accuracy at ±0.12 hPa, equiv. to ±1 m (950 to 1050hPa @25°C)
  • Absolute Accuracy at typ. ±1 hPa (950 to 1050 hPa, 0 to +40°C)

Indoor Air Quality Sensor

The Sensor Device enables measurement of contaminating gases present in real-world applications enabling a unique long-term stability and low drift.

Features

  • Multi-pixel gas sensor for indoor air quality applications
  • Outstanding long-term stability
  • Two pre-processed indoor air quality signals

 

 

 

 

 

 

New SPG Product in Focus – OSDP Mini Camera

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Not all work environments are the same; some require additional surveillance to maintain and complete the security work needed to protect and safeguard valuable assets. Additionally, remote sites may be subject to significant variations in temperature, humidity, power availability, and other services and variables. SPG’s latest hardware is ideally suited to these types of challenging requirements.
Ideal for mounting inside enclosures, racks, ATM’s, vaults, Telco cabinets, Utility facilities or any location where non-continuous monitoring is more economical.

Connected via the encrypted OSDP bus of the S1000 Smart Controller, the Mini Camera captures images at high speed and then stores them locally on the S1000 SD card.

Images can be uploaded to the ARCO Platform using Ethernet or via a 4G expansion card in the S1000 Smart Controller or directly connecting to a WIFI router.
Up to eight (8) Mini Cameras are supported on an S1000 Smart Controller. Minimal battery backup to an S1000 would ensure continuous availability of images from remote sites for alarm management or activity verification. All communications are encrypted end to end.

Some typical use cases are listed below:

Vehicle Fleet and Driver Security & Tracking Management

SPG’s fleet and driver monitoring solutions puts management within the passenger seat of each vehicle in the fleet with GPS, truck, trailer and driver monitoring
Add video, two-way audio and environmental monitoring and controls to your fleet and secure your driver’s and cargo’s safety end to end.

Cabinet Monitoring and Management

Providing early warning of failures, video and two-way audio and ensuring only authorized employees or contractors are permitted access are key attributes of our remote cabinet solutions. In addition, sophisticated monitoring provides the real-time condition of the cabinet and its key components.
This also helps control preventative maintenance, make informed decisions, and cut personnel and operational expenses costs. SPG’s sensor logs also provide for root cause evaluation to help mitigate future problems.

ATM Monitoring and Management

Persistent physical attacks continue on ATM’s resulting in theft, disruption, damage and poor customer service. Increasingly, explosive gases are used to destroy the integrity of ATM vaults, and the use of mechanical excavators and machinery still results in ATM’s being pulled from their building surrounds or free-standing locations.

SPG Controls offers a smart security system, which has been designed to protect ATM’s from theft or unauthorized access. Providing early warning of failures, video and two-way audio and ensuring only authorized employees or contractors are permitted access are key attributes of our ATM monitoring solutions. Standard battery backup and 4G connectivity provide ongoing operation in the event of a power or communications loss.

 

Remote Vault Monitoring & Management

Where physical security vaults protect cash, documents and assets, SPG Controls offers a smart security system designed to protect the vault and the personnel opening and closing vault and bookroom doors from theft, unauthorized access or duress. Providing early warning of failures, video and two-way audio and ensuring only authorized employees or contractors are permitted access are key attributes of our vault monitoring solutions. SPG enables both efficiency and security, our sophisticated monitoring devices providing the real-time condition of the vault and key components. This additionally helps to manage preventative maintenance, make informed decisions, and cut operational expenses. SPG’s sensor logs also provide for root cause evaluation to help mitigate future problems.

Data Centres – Monitoring & Management

Data Centers are among the most important components in modern IT infrastructures, hosting websites, web services, and web applications that we use on a daily basis. Social networking, media streaming, software as a service (SaaS), and other activities wouldn’t be possible without the use of these web servers. With cloud computing growing fast and moving more services online, web server monitoring is only becoming more important.

SPG Controls offers the perfect management system for Data Center temperature monitoring. Our ARCO Solution can easily be configured to send you and your team alerts when Data Center temperature and humidity values rise or fall with video verification using our OSDP Mini Camera.

What is GDPR and how does it affect you?

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The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is often considered the strictest regulation in the world for securing users’ private data. It applies to all organizations that process the personal data of European Union citizens and residents, and the fines for non-compliance can reach up to €20 million.

This article explores the nature of this regulation, lists its fundamental principles, and offers a checklist for meeting GDPR compliance requirements. This article will be helpful for companies that already follow the GDPR and for those who are going to enter the European Union market.

What is the GDPR?

The GDPR is a data privacy and security regulation adopted by the European Union (EU). It imposes obligations on all organizations that collect and process the personal data of EU residents, even if these organizations operate outside the EU.

The GDPR provides EU residents with control over their personal data and obliges organizations to:

  • Gather, collect, and manage personal data legally and according to strict rules
  • Protect data from misuse and exploitation
  • Respect the rights of data owners

What is personal data?
Under GDPR, this means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (Data Subject), an identifiable natural person can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as:

It’s also important to be familiar with specific terms the GDPR introduces to define roles associated with data handling: data controllers, data subjects, and data processors.

Who must comply with the GDPR?

Any organization that stores or processes personal information about EU residents is obliged to comply with the GDPR, even if the organization is located outside the EU.

Yet, there are some nuances. For instance, organizations that have fewer than 250 employees are free from the majority of record-keeping obligations (see Article 30.5), though they still have to meet other GDPR requirements.

However, even if your organization employs fewer than 250 people, you might be obliged to keep records according to strict GDPR rules in case of your processing of personal data:

  • is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects
  • is not occasional
  • includes special categories of data as referred to in Article 9
  • includes personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences described in Article 10

Why should you comply with the GDPR?

Meeting GDPR compliance regulations isn’t only about complying with mandatory requirements. It can also help your organization do the following:

Protect personal data

GDPR articles implement high standards for personal data security, obliging data controllers and processors to secure “any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.”

Maintain your reputation

Neglecting data privacy regulations may affect your reputation. It could be that a data breach will lead to investigations, fines, and potential lawsuits. Staying compliant with GDPR requirements helps you maintain a reputation as a trustworthy and professional organization. And ensuring secure data processing is a reliable way to minimize the risk of security incidents.

Increase customer loyalty

People want to know that their data is safe and control it, mainly since the GDPR has ensured their rights. Therefore, customers and businesses are more likely to choose a trustworthy and GDPR compliant service provider or subcontractor than a non-compliant one.

Avoid fines and penalties

Article 83 of the GDPR states that the maximum fine for non-compliance is up to 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million (whichever is greater). Fines for GDPR non-compliance depend on multiple factors, including:

  • the duration and severity of the violation
  • the degree of cooperation with the supervisory authority
  • the categories of personal data affected

Ensuring GDPR compliance requires a deep understanding of the regulation. So before proceeding to the checklist on GDPR compliance, let’s take a quick look at the key principles behind the GDPR.

Key principles of the GDPR

GDPR requirements are based on the seven principles laid out in Chapter 2. They embody the main ideas of the regulation and explain the key reasons for implementing all requirements.
Compliance with these principles is essential for good data protection in general and compliance with the detailed provisions of the GDPR in particular.

Contact us to learn more about how SPG Controls can help your business in GDPR compliance.

Facing Up to Contactless Biometric Access Control

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Thermal imaging and contact tracing technologies have garnered increased attention in recent days with the gradual reopening of some countries’ economy. These solutions are but one part of what portends to be a fundamental shift in how companies consider and use security systems. Access control, which has always been the first and foremost consideration in any security environment, will also be significantly impacted by the lasting effects of the pandemic. The adoption of biometric entry devices could be simultaneously improved and impeded over coronavirus concerns.

SPG Controls is pleased to announce the completion of its latest integration to biometric facial recognition technology. Growing customer demands to help verify the safe return to work for employees, contractors and visitors have accelerated SPG’s plans to include facial recognition, mask-wearing and thermal detection. The keys to the new integrations are high-speed performance, a flexible rules engine and an entirely contactless user experience.

For instance, an employee approaching their building’s main entrance access control doors will present themselves to the camera, the recognition algorithms verify the person, thermal sensors check the temperature, and AI verifies mask-wearing.

Any exceptional readings outside of the parameters implemented are notified to the user, and access may be denied depending on rules agreed by the employer. Recognition may take place either with or without a mask, but building entry may only be possible wearing a mask. In the case of an individual having a high temperature, physical access may be denied, and the employee will be directed to contact their manager or Human Resources department or follow other agreed protocols.

The underlying principle of no physical contact ensures a safe return to the workplace. Access may also be linked to digital health applications or “passports,” used to manage the status of vaccinations, COVID test results, whether through the uploading of results via an API or by uploading copies of documents for third party verification. Employees retain their health credential on their own device and log in on building entry using a dynamic QR code. An audit trail is held in all cases should track and trace for any incident be required.

SPG Thermal Biometric Reader uses next-generation AI facial recognition and body temperature detection technology. This ensures absolutely no surface contact access using high-precision temperature detection on mask-wearing users.

It integrates high-speed image acquisition, face detection, face tracking and face contrast, and human body temperature detection.

Contact us to learn more about how SPG Controls applies the science of biometric access control to help your business.

Sound Intelligence from SPG Controls resonates with our European partners

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Digital Audio Verification to manage Alarm Events

Another addition to SPG Control’s product line provides encrypted two-way VOIP data for alarm verification, intercom and public address. Our latest Audio Listen-In Module provides connectivity to our S1000 Smart Controller through an encrypted OSDP bus. Digital audio is then delivered from the S1000 over wifi, ethernet or 4G to our central ARCO software platform or via Industry standard protocols to commercial security monitoring stations.

Two leading French monitoring companies have just successfully completed testing of our digital audio products in anticipation of several new projects. ESI and Azuresoft have been working alongside our European distributor, JMP Controls, based in Paris. Pascal Creff, CEO, said, “I’m delighted with the new capability and industry-leading audio quality available from SPG Controls Audio Listen-In Module. I expect to be able to offer improved alarm management and risk reduction to my growing portfolio of customers.”

 

 

 

 

Up to 8 microphones and 8 speakers can be attached to an S1000. Audio playback is possible using SIP (IP telephony), RTP streams or can be sent direct-to-browser. Our technology remains compatible with any central station monitoring provider, with audio control possible via DTMF commands or through Industry-standard contact ID reverse commands. Audio feeds may be triggered by alarm events governed by our “rules engine,” pre-alarm audio is also available. Pre-recorded messages may be stored within the S1000 Smart Controller and can be enunciated when triggered by specific circumstances.

Contact us to learn more about how SPG Controls applies the science of sound to help your business.

The Anatomy of a Unified System Integration

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How Automated Security Systems Work

Having a unified security system integration policy for your Company is a game-changer. It can help provide more security to property and assets but also brings additional benefits.

Unified system integration for security has a lot of advantages, and thanks to SPG Controls technology a lot more is possible.

Some advantages of automated security systems:

Monitoring

Every “event” is included in a system audit trail and can be monitored. For example, Companies can monitor anyone entering their properties, whether single locations or multiple locations, locally, regionally or globally and have data at their fingertips either to a control room, a security room or through a Mobile Application. Entrances and exits may be viewed in real-time, locally, at a regional headquarters, or remotely. Visitors, contractors and delivery personnel can be screened prior to being authorised to enter Company property, minimising the risk to Company personnel.

Regulation of Access for Secure Places

Most Companies have areas in their premises where additional access rights are required; An example could be an IT or communications room, a UPS room, a storage area for high-value items, Corporate policy may dictate that two personnel are required in certain locations or that an airlock controls access by only one person at a time,

Automated systems can be programmed to let only specified personnel or authorised contractors into critical areas within your property. Each event will be added to the audit trail within the SPG Controls system.

Trail Records and Logs

The system creates an audit trail for every event, and a flexible reporting tool enables records to be presented for multiple uses, for example, contractor attendance records, payroll input through time and attendance reporting, fire muster lists in the event of a fire alarm.

Safely Manage Everything

As an authorised and authenticated system administrator, management of the automated security system is at your fingertips. SPG Controls provides an intuitive Mobile Application through which Company personnel can safely and securely manage any security event.

What makes an Integrated System?

Multi-Function Security Control Panel

At the heart of an SPG Controls security solution is the S1000, a multi-functional security control panel. This is typically located at every site and integrates with existing or new security equipment such as movement sensors, door contacts, building alarms, the fire system, CCTV or camera system, access control and locks, intercom, and other security components in the integrated system. In addition, the S1000 provides the capability to connect to multiple other inputs, such as but not limited to, temperature, light, heat and humidity sensors, refrigeration units, air conditioning units and lone worker monitoring with full backward control.

User Interface Devices

Keypads, biometrics, and other interface devices allow authorised security personnel to arm and disarm locks and alarms in Corporate properties. They also allow administrators to control parts of the automated system either locally through the Keypad or remotely through the Mobile Application

Central Software Monitoring System

The software part of the automated security system is crucial as it manages all of the access to all system components. It collects and records data from every input in the system.

SPG Controls offers these advanced parts of an integrated system for security.

S1000 Smart Controller

Remote access is possible thanks to the S1000 Intelligent control panel which can be connected to adaptor modules and network devices.

The S1000 Smart Controller can be installed to monitor and automate alarms and access control rights to areas and doors. There is automatic data collection from readers and other devices within each location.

Remote User Interface

The SPG Keypad supports a variety of features including local arming and disarming of the security equipment. Other components, such as OSDP readers, can provide access control functionality.

Remote User Interface

 

Security in each area can be fine-tuned using Scheduled Access, Anti-pass back, Duress Alarms and Dual Authentication options.

ARCO Platform

The ARCO platform is one of the most advanced management tools that can be used to operate a central security monitoring environment. It can provide access and records to all of the connected monitoring devices such as cameras, alarms, locks, and other sensors. It can also be used for multiple operator workstations for efficiency and redundancy. The platform handles all of the access rights for the areas and security components. The master audit trail is also managed by the ARCO Platform.

ARCO Platform

Software features of the ARCO Platform include alarm management, site configuration, database management, interactive dashboard, distributed workstations, a graphical user interface for site location and status, built-in reporting engine, artificial intelligence capability for programmable logic rules.

To know more about how SPG Controls can help you secure your property and premises, contact us.