29/08/2010
Cambridge Innovation Center upgrades access control system
Boston, Ma (USA)
In January this year they discovered SALTO Systems with their door control based on a data on card system, reversing the more usual role of credential and controller. The big advantage of this is that you do not have to hard wire every door, or install cumbersome and expensive controllers in a closet somewhere. This makes this system much faster to install and less expensive. This wireless system would allow them to put electronic access control on every door.
CIC carried out a lot of research and testing with their existing wireless technology and SALTO’s wireless locks (think Zigbe ) to ensure compatibility, and explored its layers of security features. They also learned that it is in use at Heathrow Airport and at some US military bases - places that take security seriously.
The company finally embarked on the process of renewing the whole system with the SALTO XS4 wireless solution, which means upgrading every door both electronic and keyed throughout the whole center. The bi-directional technology of this system combines the advantages of both on-line and off-line solutions. Any number of doors can be wirelessly connected to the system thanks to its IEEE 802.15.4 and 2.4 GHz technology. Gateways and repeaters act as antennas, collecting and sending information from the PC via SALTO SQL software, to the stand alone wireless locks (which use AES 128 encryption) and one gateway can manage several repeaters and electronic locks, minimizing infrastructure costs and maximizing flexibility.
With a single click CIC can configure or make changes to the network in real time. They can monitor the network, download audit trail information from the locks, delete users remotely and securely, collect battery status of the RF locks for maintenance and much more all from a single controlling PC and all in real-time. And thanks to its self-healing capabilities, if an individual lock should lose RF connection at any time it will automatically scan for a new connection to an alternative gateway or repeater, restoring communication and maintaining security.
The eventual aim is to have SALTO wireless locks on all floors by the end of the year, the new system will appear to clients to be much like the old system, securing the lobbies and office doors while still allowing 24/7 access. One added feature on this front will be electronic access to the stairwells. After the upgrade, CIC clients will be able to move between CIC floors without having to wait for the elevators.
Ion Murga, Marketing Manager Americas for SALTO Systems Inc says “An effective, robust access control system is a key requirement for any building with multiple tenants. Its objectives should be to control and restrict access to authorized personnel and areas, prevent and prohibit all likely security threats from occurring and reduce the degree of vulnerability of critical assets to theft."