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Access Control Handbook: Editor's note

When the first Access Control Handbook was published in 2004, Darren Smith wrote “An idea brought to us at Hi-Tech Security Solutions by industry specialists in access control, this Handbook is designed not so much to highlight access control products specifically, but to educate end-users and security professionals about the principles which underpin successful security solutions. We sincerely hope that you find it of value.”

Four of the primary sponsors of that first edition are still primary sponsors of this, the fourth edition, which is certainly indicative of the value they believe the Handbook offers. A special thanks to them and all the contributors for their continued support of the Access Control Handbook and helping to make it what it is today, with the focus – as it was three years ago – on case studies and best practices, trends and white papers.

While the principles of successful access control might not change, the technology and integration trends are ensuring we are all in need of continued education. And the main driver behind this issue’s 'theme' of identity management is the way in which the convergence of physical and logical security has led to a whole new, multifaceted method of sourcing as much information as possible about a person’s identity. This, in turn, can assist in granting, denying, or at least controlling access of visitors in general and then monitoring and also controlling their whereabouts more specifically once inside the premises being visited.

The White Papers, trends and opinions explain the intricacies of general access control, while the case studies and best practice articles explain the applications of the technologies in specific vertical sectors. Read on…

Lynne Larsen

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