An access control standards point is graded according to the type of business and risk associated with the premises being secured.

An access control point grading can change according to the time. For example, during working hours the door may require only an access control card to unlock; outside of these hours the user has to use a card and enters PIN into a keypad

There are four grades for an access control standards portal.

• Grade 1 (Low Risk)
  • A standalone lock, (Code, Pin or Token), or an offline system that is in a public low risk area
• Grade 2 (Low to Medium Risk)
  • An on-line system that uses access control cards or PIN’s to prevent access to the premises
• Grade 3 (Medium to High Risk)
  • An on-line system that uses two factor authentication or a single factor biometric to prevent access to the premises.
• Grade 4 (High Risk)
  • An on-line system that uses two (or more) factor authentication, one of which should be biometric to prevent access to the premises. Any system events are displayed live in a monitoring software package.

The first element is the access control card carried by the employee. It is used to identify the user to the access control system which in turn makes the decision to open the door, or barrier, they wish to use

In some cases the card might be replaced with the user’s own biometric information which is read by a special reader.Next is the installed door equipment which is used to read the user’s card, secure the door, and report its status.