Elatec: Unifying Access - A Single System for Enhanced Security and Efficiency

Physical and logical access have traditionally been treated as separate entities—physical access control systems (PAC) managing entry to buildings and physical spaces, and logical access control systems safeguarding digital assets and IT infrastructure. However, the proliferation of access applications and the growing interconnectivity of security systems have made it clear that this siloed approach is no longer sufficient. A unified access system that integrates both physical and logical access can help organizations improve safety and security and comply with emerging cybersecurity regulations like the NIS2 directive.

Siloed access systems create a range of security challenges that can leave organizations vulnerable to breaches and make it harder to maintain a robust security posture. They also complicate management and make scaling and adapting the system more difficult. 

With a unified access system, the same access technology can be used to enable access to other physical and logical systems throughout the building or campus, including physical locations (doors, turnstiles, elevator systems and parking gate systems), physical devices and assets (computers, printers, production machinery, laboratory or medical devices), and digital data and applications, including single sign-on (SSO) systems. 

This offers several key benefits: 

• Enhanced Security: By applying consistent security policies across all access points—both physical and digital—a unified system reduces vulnerabilities and ensures comprehensive protection against unauthorized access.
• Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting: A unified system provides a single, integrated view of all access activities, enhancing the ability to monitor, audit, and respond to security incidents more effectively.
• Improved User Convenience: Users can manage a single credential (like an RFID badge or smartphone credential) for all their access needs, eliminating the hassle of juggling multiple keys, cards, or passwords and increasing overall satisfaction and efficiency.
• Simplified Management: Centralized administration of access controls allows for more efficient management, enabling quick and consistent updates, easier oversight, and streamlined processes for granting, modifying, or revoking access rights.
• Cost Savings: Consolidating physical and digital access systems reduces the need for multiple infrastructures, cutting down on maintenance, upgrades, and administrative costs, while also speeding up onboarding and offboarding.
• Scalability and Adaptability: Unified systems are designed to easily scale and adapt to new access points, users and emerging technologies, ensuring long-term flexibility and relevance as organizational needs evolve.
• Regulatory Compliance: A unified approach helps organizations more easily comply with cybersecurity regulations like NIS2 by ensuring consistent and comprehensive security measures across all access points.

Getting Started with Unified Access

The simplest way to get started is with a universal RFID reader like those offered by Elatec. Elatec’s TWN4 line of multi-technology readers can read 60+ RFID transponder technologies along with mobile credentials using NFC and BLE. That means you can set up a unified access system that leverages whatever transponder technology is already in place for front door access—and future-proof your system for changing needs tomorrow. In addition, ELATC readers feature: 

• Support for advanced encryption to meet modern security standards.
• Remote update capabilities to simplify security patches and the addition of new transponder technologies or functionality.
• A robust software development kit to add advanced functionality or enable software integration. 

Want to know more? Find Elatec at Security Essen. 

Whether you are upgrading PAC systems or looking for a unified solution, the experts at Elatec can help. Find us at Security Essen in Hall 6, Booth 6C13.