Physical Access Control vs Logical Access Control

For those in the market for an upgrade to their home security, comparing physical access control and logical access control can quickly get confusing. 

Thanks to a wide range of factors such as its size and affordability, Brisbane is the safest capital city on the East Coast on paper. Although we have a significantly lower crime rate compared to the likes of Melbourne or Sydney, that’s not to say that crime incidents don’t happen. 

When it comes to protecting your home or business against the likelihood of a break in, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise. Theft related crimes are often opportunistic in nature, with the data showing that most burglars enter a property via a garage door, back door, kitchen or window.

Thankfully, home security systems that feature physical access control or logical access control are just one of the many methods used to bar entry to unwanted visitors. Choosing the right option will generally boil down to your lifestyle and the contents of your home, so what are their key points of difference?

Comparing Physical And Logical Access Control Systems

In its simplest form, access control is a term we use to describe a security measure designed to regulate who has “access” to view or use resources. When properly deployed, it minimises the potential risk of any form of unauthorised access. As a general rule, there are two primary types of systems: logical access control and physical access control. 

Logical access control is the ability and means to allow or deny logical or computer-based access to data of any form. It adheres to the “CIA” principles of cybersecurity – confidentiality, integrity and availability. Logical access control are essentially tools and protocols used for identification, authentication, authorisation, and accountability in computer information systems.

Due to its very nature, logical access control is commonly deployed in businesses of all shapes and sizes. Logical access control ensures that only the people who should have access to something are the ones with the means to access that particular data set. It can also help to protect any intellectual property, as well as ensuring the privacy of clients and partners are safeguarded in the event of a cyber attack. 

In comparison, physical access control is much more common in residential environments. While techniques used for businesses can involve using physical measures such as identification cards and facial recognition to separate control entry points for server rooms, deploying this form of security is often much less complicated when used in households. 

Home security systems that feature physical access control are commonly used to protect a property’s primary entry and exit points without the need for a key, and can include the use of fobs, pin codes and even biometric identifiers such as fingerprints or facial recognition. In the event that you have a tradesperson or contractor visiting your home, many systems also allow for special access with time limits and other entry restrictions. 

It’s also worth noting that many property owners are often surprised to learn that installing a home security system can be a way to pay less for home insurance, particularly one that features access control. Although this stance does vary depending on the provider, adding things like alarms, cameras, and deadlocks will help to make your home more secure and therefore less likely to have theft related claims. 

If installing a new home security system or giving your existing one an upgrade is on the cards, then it’s always a good idea to enlist the services of a licensed professional to get further security tips and to guarantee proper installation – but where do you find them?

Where To Get Advice On All Things Electrical 

Here at Shield Electrical, we are a Brisbane based electrical contracting company, and pride ourselves on being shockingly good at watt we do. For us, friendly and reliable customer service isn’t just a nice add on – it’s how we do business. Don’t take our word for it though, just ask our clients. 

Established in 2015, Shield Electrical is lighting the way when it comes to providing electrical work with world class customer service. With our headquarters based in the central suburban pocket of Coorparoo, our team of qualified industry professionals are readily available to deliver quality workmanship, fast quotes, and affordable pricing.

Whether you’re on the hunt for an electrician for domestic services, residential, commercial and industrial construction, security systems or even just further energy saving tips, get in touch with us at Shield today to source practical solutions that don’t break the bank.