Module 1 / Lesson 1
What Is a Physical Access Control System?
1 min read
A physical access control system (PACS) controls who can enter secured spaces such as buildings, rooms, gates, and cabinets.
Core building blocks
Most systems combine a handful of cooperating parts:
- Credentials — what a person presents (card, PIN, mobile, biometric)
- Readers — capture the credential at the door
- Controllers — make the actual grant/deny decision
- Door hardware — locks, strikes, and sensors
- Schedules & access levels — who may enter, and when
- Monitoring & audit history — what happened, and when
Together these answer one question: should this person be allowed through this door right now?