Access Card
A coded employee card, usually the size of a credit card, recognizable to the access control system and read by a reader to allow access. It can be used for photo identification of the cardholder and for other data collection purposes. Card technologies include magnetic strips, wiegand-effect, proximity (active/passive), barium fer-rite, and smart/intelligent cards.

Access Code
Any system or method which automatically controls the passage of people and vehicles into or out of an area or structure.

Access Control
Control the employees from accessing the business premises by locking and unlocking the doors, turnstile or car park barriers. You can define the authorized time for each individual or for a group of individuals and can specify which has the rights to access a particular terminal in a multi-device environment, where multiple doors are controlled by different devices.

Access Group
A list of areas to which a keyholder is allowed access. The access may be restricted to certain times by the use of a Time Profile

Access Level
The door or combination of doors and/or barriers an individual is authorized to pass through.

Access Point
Each means of entry into a controlled security area, consisting of a card reader, monitor switches and/or latches. Access points are wired to an access control panel.

Access Time
The period of time during which an access point is unlocked. (Also see shunt time).

Acquisition device
The hardware used to acquire biometric samples. The following acquisition devices are associated with each biometric technology.

Active imposter acceptance
Acceptance of a biometric sample submitted by someone attempting to gain illegal entry to a biometric system.

ACU (Access Control Unit)
An electronic control panel to which readers and alarm devices are wired. The ACU can be a standalone unit or wired to a CPU.

Administrator
Individual responsible for the security system and assigning operator passwords

AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System)
A system originally developed for use by law enforcement agencies, which compares a single fingerprint with a database of fingerprint images. Subsequent developments have seen its use in commercial applications, where a client or customer has their finger image compared with existing personal data by placing a finger on a scanner, or by the scanning of inked paper impressions.

Alogrithm
A sequence of instructions that tells a system how to solve a problem. Used by biometric systems, for example, to tell whether a sample and a template are a match. Cryptographic algorithms are used to encrypt sensitive data files, to encrypt and decrypt messages, and to digitally sign documents. "A set of computational rules specifying the procedures to perform a specific computation"

Anti-Tamper
A means of detecting unauthorised disconnection of cables or removal of covers from security equipment.

Anti-Passback or Passback
Status of a card according to its last use. When the card is used at an IN reader, the card will not be able to access another IN reader until it hasused an OUT reader. This feature is optional and used in higher security applications and parking lots.

This feature protects against more than one person using the same card or number. It defines each sys-tem card reader and card I.D. number as IN, OUT, or Other. Once a card is granted access to and IN reader, it must be presented to an OUT reader before another IN reader access is granted. Cards will continue to have access to all authorized OTHER readers.

A feature that prevents a user from giving their code to someone else to use. A user code must be used to enter then used to exit before it can be reused to enter again. This feature requires one port for entry and a second port for exit.

Anti-tearing (or Anti-pulling)
A card feature, which protects the contents of memory if the card is removed before the end of the transaction.

Anti-collision (or collision avoidance)
A feature commonly used in contactless card systems to prevent conflicts between different signals competing for attention at the same time.

API
Application Program Interface. A computer code which is a set of instructions or services used to standardize an application. Any system compatible with the API can then be added or interchanged by the application developer.

Armed
The security system is armed when it is activated by entering your personal security code on the keypad or by a button on a keyfob.  Arming your system activates the detection of unauthorized entry.

Asynchronous Multimodality
Systems that require that a user verify through more than one biometric in sequence. Asynchronous multimodal solutions are comprised of one, two, or three distinct authentication processes. A typical user interaction will consist of a verification on finger scan, then face if finger is successful.

Amplitude-shift keying (ASK).
ASK is rarely used in wireless applications because multipath effects can dramatically influence the amplitude of the information-bearing signal. This causes errors when the signal is received and decoded.

Audit trail
In computer/network systems: Record of events (protocols, written documents, and other evidence) which can be used to trace the activities and usage of a system. Such material is crucial when tracking down successful attacks/attackers, determining how the attacks happened, and being able to use this evidence in a court of law.

Authentication
The process of establishing the validity of the user attempting to gain access to a system. Primary authentication methods are:

• Access passwords (something the user knows)
• Access tokens (something the user owns)
  
• Biometrics
  
• Geography (a workstation, for example)

Auxiliary Dead Latch
A plunger which, when actuated, automatically locks a projected latch bolt against return by end pressure.

Authentication
The process of verifying the identity and legitimacy of a person, object or system.

Asynchronous
Microprocessor cards (MPCOS, GPK2000, GemXplore, etc.). A card operating in asynchronous mode is capable of automatically adjusting to the transmission frequency. See also Synchronous Cards.

AWG
American Wire Gauge, denotes the size of wire conductors used in a system.