Access

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French acces, from Latin accessus approach, from accedere to approach

• Date: 14th century

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Definitions

• 1 a : onset 2

b : a fit of intense feeling : outburst

• 2 a : permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place or to approach or communicate with a person or thing

b : freedom or ability to obtain or make use of something

c : a way or means of access

d : the act or an instance of accessing

• 3 : an increase by addition <a sudden access of wealth>

Description

Access control is a system which enables an authority to control access to areas and resources in a given physical facility or computer-based information system. An access control system, within the field of physical security, is generally seen as the second layer in the security of a physical structure.

Access control is, in reality, an everyday phenomenon. A lock on a car door is essentially a form of access control. A PIN on an ATM system at a bank is another means of access control. Bouncers standing in front of a night club is perhaps a more primitive mode of access control (given the evident lack of information technology involved). The possession of access control is of prime importance when persons seek to secure important, confidential, or sensitive information and equipment.

Item control or electronic key management is an area within (and possibly integrated with) an access control system which concerns the managing of possession and location of small assets or physical (mechanical) keys.