Typical physical security includes door locks, cipher locks, keys, guards, and fences, but physical security regarding computers can mean much more. Companies commonly use electronic key cards, instead of keys, for physical access to rooms. Electronic key cards are part of an access control system, which includes the key cards, door readers, and software to control and monitor the system.
Electronic key cards have many benefits, including the following:
They are easy to program and issue/revoke compared to issuing a key and getting it back from an employee who quits or is dismissed.
Data is stored in a database instead of on a checkout form.
Access to information, such as who entered a room and at what time, can be logged and monitored more easily than with a checkout sheet.
More layers of control can be exercised with key cards. With metal keys, the usual process is to give a key for each room, issue a submaster key for an entire wing, or issue a master key for the entire building.
When keys are issued and one is lost, the lock must be rekeyed and new keys issued. When an electronic key card is lost, the old card is deactivated, and a new one is issued.
