Integrating physical and computer access control systems

Current systems for controlling access to buildings and to computers use the same basic ideas, but do not work together. Employees must memorize or carry many different access credentials. Security managers must learn how to use a variety of systems that cannot provide a consistent, company-wide security picture. All integrated access control system gives employees a single access token that lets them through doors and onto computer systems. It also has an integrated database that gives security managers a company-wide view of security. One way to move to an integrated system is to first introduce smart cards as dual-purpose access tokens. Later you can build an integrated access control database. There are challenges to building such a system, but clear benefits as well.<>