Physical access control system (PACS): An in-depth overview

Are you looking for a physical access control system because something went wrong?

Someone got in who shouldn’t have.
A tenant couldn’t get out of the garage.
A $50K inventory disappeared with no trace.
Or you realised it was too late; you have no record of who was in the building during a break-in.

That’s when you start Googling.
But what you find is confusion.
Multiple options such as RFID, biometrics, key cards, and cloud-based or on-premises systems, each with its own set of complexities.

In this blog we tell you what actually matters when choosing a physical access control system and how to avoid the mistakes that most businesses only learn after something goes wrong.

What is a physical access control system?

Physical Access Control System (PACS) is a technological security solution. An intelligent security system decides who gets in, where, and when.

PACS only grants access to authorized personnel, keeping restricted areas secure without needing constant human supervision. 

It also restricts movement within specific zones, so people only go where they’re supposed to. 

Physical access control authenticates each person’s identity using a key card or mobile credentials and then verifies their permission to enter. Once cleared, the system monitors access points in real time and automatically controls entry and exit; manual checks are unnecessary.

Components and technology of the parking access control system:

Physical access control protects facilities, assets, and personnel by merely granting and denying access to vehicles and personnel!

Whether it’s an office building, data center, or parking facility, you need the following components and technology to start regulating and monitoring entry to physical spaces. 

• Credential mechanisms.
• Reader devices.
• Access control panels.

Credential mechanisms:

Credential mechanisms are the most basic layer of any physical access control system. People use these devices to verify they have access to enter a controlled area. Typical physical access control examples are:

• ID badges. These are a standard in corporate settings. Employees scan their badges to go inside as well as to move between different departments.
  
• Key fobs. Small and portable, fobs use RFID or NFC technology to grant access when tapped against a reader.
  
• Biometric data. Fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans provide high-security, personalized access.
  
• Key cards. Widely used in commercial buildings, these cards are swiped or tapped at door readers.

• License plate recognition (LPR). LPR automates vehicle entry based on plate credentials, which is ideal for parking access control systems.
  
• Mobile apps. Smartphone access via Bluetooth or cloud-based apps enables contactless and remote entry.
  
• PINs or passcodes. Numeric codes entered on a keypad offer a simple but effective user authentication method.

These credential types serve as the gateway to physical access management, determining who can enter, when, and where.

Reader devices:

When a user presents their credentials, such as a key card, license plate, mobile app, biometric scan, or PIN code, the reader device reads and sends that information to the access control system for validation.

Common physical access control examples of reader devices include:

• RFID card readers. These are used with ID badges and key cards.
  
• Biometric scanners. Fingerprint, facial, or iris recognition readers.
  
• Mobile access readers. Bluetooth or NFC-enabled readers for smartphone credentials.
  
• Keypad readers. For entering PINs or passcodes.
  
• License plate recognition cameras. Often used in parking access control systems.

These readers are placed at entry points such as doors, turnstiles, gates, and elevators, forming the access points of your physical access management system.

Access control panels:

An access control panel is a secure processing unit that compares incoming credential data with stored user permissions. It checks:

• Who is requesting access.
• Where they’re trying to enter.
• When they’re making the request.

If the request aligns with the user’s authorized access level, the control panel sends a signal to unlock the entry point, such as a door, gate, or turnstile.

Together, these access control components work in real-time to authorize entry and log all access events. Modern physical access control software often includes analytics and integrations with surveillance systems, offering deeper visibility into usage patterns and potential breaches.

How do parking access control systems work?

STEP #1) Present: The driver or vehicle arrives at the entry point.

At this stage, the car approaches a gate, barrier, or other controlled access point, ready to request entry. The user taps a card, scans a face, or opens an app.

What’s really happening:

• The visitor presents credentials to request access.
• Scans at entry points
• Swipes or taps to activate access mechanisms.
• The system detects presence and responds accordingly.

STEP #2) Verify: The system checks the provided credentials.

The driver presents their ID. It could be a key card, a licence plate, mobile app, or PIN. The system reads and verifies it against stored data.

The system checks who they are.

What’s really happening:

• Requests user authentication before granting entry
• Authenticates identity through biometrics, mobile, or cards
• Triggers alerts if something doesn’t match
• Flags unknown or suspicious users

STEP # 3) Authorize: The system decides based on access rules.

The system authorizes entry if the credentials match the user’s access permissions (including time and zone). The decision is made based on the user’s profile.

What’s really happening:

• Allows or denies access based on time schedules or clearance level
• Matches the user profile to current access rules
• Secures critical areas with smart authentication
• Overrides manual controls during emergencies

STEP # 4) Grant or block: Access is either approved or denied.

Once authorization is complete, the gate opens or stays closed depending on whether the user meets the access conditions. There is no delay; the system either lets them through or locks them out instantly.

What’s really happening:

• Controls entry and exit automatically
• Unlocks doors for authorized personnel
• Locks down areas in response to security breaches
• Tracks and logs every access event
• Enables remote management if intervention is needed

Types of parking access control systems:

Depending upon the area you want to secure, whether it’s a parking lot, a condo, a commercial building, or an auto dealership. And how intelligent, automated, and integrated you need your security and access infrastructure to be. Here’s a brief overview of different types of access controls:

According to industry research:

• 60% of organizations use ID badges as a primary access method
• 32% have adopted mobile credentials
• 25% utilize license plate recognition for vehicle access
• Barrier gates

Physical arm barriers control vehicle flow. Often used with other access methods like badges or LPR. They are ideal for high-traffic lots, commercial garages, and toll areas.

RFID:

RFID-based parking access offers a contactless experience that’s ideal for high-traffic environments like residential communities and employee lots.

You equip the vehicles with RFID tags, typically placed on the windscreen. Entry becomes automatic as the system scans the tag in motion, eliminating the need to stop or interact with a gate. This speeds up vehicle flow, reduces congestion, and minimizes wear and tear on hardware, making it a low-maintenance, long-term solution for secure, touchless access control.

Ticketing system:

As a vehicle enters, the driver is issued a printed ticket manually or via an automated kiosk. 

This ticket is then used to calculate the parking duration and fee upon exit. While not as good as digital options, ticketing systems are reliable, easy to implement, and familiar to most users.

They’re particularly effective in paid parking lots, event venues, and municipal garages where temporary, trackable, and revenue-driven access is needed.

Remote gate access control:

Remote Gate Access Control lets trained operators manage real-time entry and exit using live video and two-way audio. Every interaction follows your protocols, whether it’s a delivery, a late-night visitor, or a lost access card.

Integration with other security systems:

Access control offers a foundational level of security, managing who can enter a facility and under what conditions. However, the actual value of an access control system emerges when it is integrated with other advanced security technologies.

By combining access control with surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, and video analytics, you can comprehensively oversee every movement within your premises.

When integrated with surveillance and AI-powered monitoring, an access control system does more than grant or deny entry. It provides real-time intelligence on who enters, where they are permitted to go, and how long they remain in those areas.

This level of integration ensures:

• Visitors are restricted to approved zones.
• Employees are monitored based on predefined permissions.
• Sensitive areas remain secure from unauthorized access.

The entire process is monitored and logged, ensuring full transparency and accountability at all times.

The role of AI and video analytics:

Modern security systems increasingly rely on AI-driven cameras paired with advanced video analytics to enhance access control. For example:

• License Plate Recognition (LPR) enables seamless, contactless vehicle access while tracking entry/exit times.
• Tailgating detection ensures vehicles or individuals do not bypass security protocols.
• Time-based alerts notify security teams if a vehicle remains parked beyond its authorized duration.

Benefits of physical access control (PACS):

Integrated access control with surveillance & AI empowers you to:

• Set and enforce access schedules aligned with your operational needs.
• Grant or restrict access by location, time, or user role—with precision.
• Track every entry and exit through detailed, searchable logs.
• Receive real-time alerts to respond swiftly before incidents escalate.
• Ensure consistent policy enforcement with cloud-based or on-premise options.
• Act immediately on irregularities with centralized system management.

Want to dive deeper into the real advantages of access control systems? Take a look at our Top 7 Benefits of Access Control.

Conclusion:

A Physical Access Control System (PACS) is a crucial security measure for any organization. It helps regulate access to sensitive areas and protect valuable assets.

By combining credential mechanisms, reader devices, and control panels, PACS enables secure entry management. Integrating these systems with surveillance and AI technologies further enhances security, providing real-time intelligence and the ability to respond proactively to incidents. 

Contact us today for a free demo on integrating remote video monitoring with your access controls to manage employee access, secure parking lots, or high-value areas.