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Over the past year there has been a rise in the number of projects such as airports, hospitals, universities and government buildings within the Gulf. With security a top priority in such institutions, fmME investigates what access control solutions are available on the market.

The days when a lock and key provided enough security to protect a building’s assets are long gone.

In today’s computer age, the amount of information that can be contained in a single building is immense; and in the case of developments such as hospitals, airports and government institutions, the loss of any of this information to members of the public could be extremely dangerous.

Providing the correct amount of protection to ensure a facility and its contents remain untouched is a careful balancing act. Any solutions used must ensure that access control is tight enough to adequately protect the property and its contents, while enabling it to function efficiently and as was intended. The latest such products to hit the market are the stuff of spy novels and action movies, with biometrics, iris scanning and internet supervision all playing a leading role.

And the Middle East market is welcoming these new technologies with open arms, it appears, as clients strive for hi-tech security solutions. “Smart cards and biometric technologies have caught up very actively in the region,” reports Sanjay Chellappa, head of sales, Bosch Middle East security systems division. “Awareness of the technology is on the increase due to the high security requirements,” explains Chellappa.

“Recently, clients have been asking for ‘smart’ access control, since they are not only seeking security, but luxury and convenience as well,” agrees Gantner Technologies’ regional manager: Middle East & Africa, Ahmad Hawa.

One type of access control system being applied is now making use of the Internet and the uniqueness of individuals. “Iris recognition, face recognition, Web-based databases, SMS notifications and ERP integrations [are all being applied in the region],” according to Michael Kandelas from Dataline Technologies.

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So how do the access control needs of such high-security buildings differ from those that contain less-sensitive or pontentially harmful information?

“Critical infrastructure such as airports are vital for the essential functioning of a country/economy. Incidental or deliberate damage will have a serious impact on the economy, as these provide essential services to the communities they serve,” stresses Kaba deputy general manager Patrik Eigenmann. “One of the major challenges for access control systems in airports is the vast number of people not belonging to the same organisation, that security-wise must be controlled by the airport operator. The possibility of system hardening by introducing a second verification method, be it PIN codes or biometrics, according to threat levels or security zones, is an absolute must,” asserts Eigenmann.

Other high-security properties with public access have their own individual needs. “Access control varies from building to building, depending on their importance. It is very highly secured in airports —where iris recognition may be used—and may be lower in hospitals and government buildings,” states Kandelas. “[Some projects] may have needs that require higher levels of security at times, with the flexibility to apply those stringent measures,” adds Dennis Geizler, vice-president: marketing and international sales at Keri Systems.

“The choice of reader technology plays a vital role in these sectors, and database management is another important factor,” reports Chellappa. “Large projects generally involve integration with other sub-systems like CCTV, BMS and fire protection. A high level of encryption is required between the various devices to prevent stealing of information,” adds Chellappa. “Combining the access control system with other applications is an important feature to implement,” Hawa adds.

An integrated approach to security can provide the most effective solution, especially in largescale projects. “Only a fully-integrated security system offers a business the maximum protection against theft, sabotage, loss of intellectual property and ensures that businesses stay running,” stresses Honeywell Building Solutions Middle East business development director Kyle Bashy. Such systems include the use of all, or a selection, of physical, electronic, process control and internet applications.

For largescale projects, such integration can reduce implementation and management costs by up to 50%, reports Bashy. “The programming and configuring of such large systems can be time-consuming, but is a key task in deploying the right security strategy,” stresses Niek Bragt, MD of Nedap Middle East. The ability to expand the systems is also vital to such projects.

With so many options now available, how do contractors and installers know which system is most suitable for a project? “Access control systems should always be designed as a result of the client’s input,” stresses Bragt. “Too often systems are way over-specified and unfortunately sometimes even under-specified,” he warns. “High-security systems are often managed far more carefully than low-security systems, not least because of the deployment of clear security standards and procedures. A system can only manage so much; the final call is very often with the security guard who needs to take action,” stresses Bragt.