From advanced readers to mobile credentials, access control solutions can do a good job securing people and assets at industrial sites. This article explores some of the access control solutions that are ideal for industrial sites.
Access control is critical for industrial sites. From advanced readers to mobile credentials, access control solutions can do a good job securing people and assets at industrial sites. This article explores some of the access control solutions that are ideal for such sites.
As mentioned in a
previous article, industrial sites are home to skilled workers as well as valuable assets, all of which must be well protected. In this regard, access control can play an effective role.
“At industrial sites, access control systems play a vital role in multiple dimensions. They help protect valuable machinery and resources by granting entry only to authorized personnel, greatly reducing risks of theft and unauthorized use. In terms of occupational safety, only qualified personnel can access high-risk zones – reinforcing compliance and reducing incidents. From a compliance standpoint, modern systems help security teams maintain detailed logs and audit trails that demonstrate adherence to regulatory standards and simplify inspections,” said Justin Wilmas, EVP of Sales, at Acre Security.
Access control solutions for industrial sites
Indeed, access control can be effective securing industrial sites. So what types of access control solutions should industrial site operators deploy? Below we take a closer look.
Readers
Since most industrial sites are harsh environments, access control hardware such as readers should be robust and ruggedized to withstand various tough conditions.
“Readers should be ruggedized for industrial environments. HID recommends devices with at least IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, and IK10 for impact resistance,” said Prabhuraj Patil, Senior Director for Physical Access Control Solutions, ASEAN and India Subcontinent, at HID.
“Our AI-powered facial authentication device BioEntry W3 … can withstand prolonged use and tough conditions without losing its integrity or functionality,” said Hanchul Kim, CEO of Suprema. “What sets Suprema apart is our 20-plus years of biometric expertise translates into hardware that performs flawlessly in temperatures from -20°C to +60°C, withstanding chemical exposure and electromagnetic interference common in industrial environments.”
Credentials
Credentials for industrial sites can include cards and biometrics. More and more, even mobile credentials are used due to their benefits. “Credentials are moving beyond traditional cards toward mobile credentials, which combine convenience with strong security and fit well in fast-moving operational settings. Cards get left behind. Phones don’t. Mobile credentials keep security moving,” Wilmas said.
It should also be noted that combining these credentials to form multifactor authentication can be quite beneficial for industrial sites. “The future belongs to multi-modal authentication. While biometrics provide the highest security level, our platform supports the industry's broadest credential ecosystem – from traditional RFID to cutting-edge mobile credentials. This flexibility ensures seamless migration paths as organizations evolve their security posture,” Kim said.
Biometrics
Should biometrics be used, touchless solutions are ideal. “Touchless biometrics are preferred in industrial settings, as they improve hygiene and minimize downtime caused by harsh working conditions,” Patil said.
“In environments where workers need to wear safety clothing such as gloves, masks, or helmets, touchless facial authentication is the most reliable option. Suprema’s AI-powered facial authentication solution, BioStation 3, delivers high performance across a wide range of faces, even when users are wearing masks, glasses and hats. This isn't just convenience it’s mission-critical functionality for industrial operations,” Kim said.
A word on cybersecurity
Industrial sites tend to use connected devices – access control solutions included – which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. In fact, cyber threat to the manufacturing industry has grown rapidly – in 2019 manufacturers only experienced about 8 percent of all cyberattacks across the globe, and the number
jumped to 25 percent 2023. Access control solutions that are cyber-secure therefore becomes more important than ever.
“End-to-end encryption, mutual authentication, secure key management, and compliance with global standards (such as FIDO or NIST) are fundamental to protecting industrial access systems from cyber threats,” Patil said.
“Cybersecurity isn't optional – it’s business insurance. Suprema’s software and hardware devices are all designed and developed in compliance with ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701, and GDPR. Our end-to-end encryption, modular security architecture, and world-first CE RED cybersecurity certification demonstrate our commitment to protecting critical infrastructure,” Kim said.