The Difference Between Basic, Semi-Intelligent, and Intelligent Access Control Readers

The Difference Between Basic, Semi-Intelligent, and Intelligent Access Control Readers

Access Control Devices are physical and information control measures that allow a determined group to enter of view. Accessing may mean anything from going into a room, looking at a file, or obtaining an object from a marked space. They designate authorization through three levels of technological hierarchy, basic, semi-intelligent, and intelligent access control readers.

The difference between basic, semi-intelligent, and intelligent access control readers is fairly simple– with each escalating step, the seriousness of security measures equally increases.

Basic Access Control readers

Basic access control readers are, as their name implies, the access control devices with the lowest level of technological superiority. They are typically card readers or PIN pads that you input your personal password to. They have no way of distinguishing between users and PIN numbers cannot be barred, but basic access control devices still allot for a notable level of safety.

Semi-Intelligent Readers

Semi-Intelligent readers are much much like basic access readers, except once the PIN is input or the card is swiped, the data transfers to a database and is then checked over. This allows for another level of security as any entries will be then ran through a system of checks.

Intelligent Readers

Intelligent readers are the most complex of the three. Like semi-intelligent readers, intelligent readers also communicate with a database or control panel, however, unlike semi-intelligent readers, intelligent readers have the database of control panel installed into the physical reader. With this, for example, an intelligent reader can implement IN/OUT technology that does not allow the same card to be swiped in if it has not yet been swiped out.