Industrial Access Control System: Security for Industrial Companies

Manufacturing has become the prime target for cyberattacks. In 2024, 26% of all global cyberattacks hit the manufacturing sector, the highest across any industry, according to Statista. Within the U.S. critical infrastructure, attacks on operational technology (OT) have surged. 

Ransomware incidents targeting industrial organizations, many reliant on OT, spiked by 87% in just one year, with nearly 1,700 confirmed breaches. But this isn't solely an IT problem; it's a full-blown physical security crisis. 

That’s why modern industrial access control systems are essential shields, protecting everything from server rooms to loading docks. They go beyond traditional locks, offering industrial secure remote access control for off-hour monitoring while fortifying your facility against breaches. 

By partnering with a trusted industrial control system access security company, you make vulnerable entry points compliance-ready. In this guide, you'll learn about the benefits and challenges of these systems, their types, and the right provider for your industrial security needs.

What is Industrial Access Control?

Industrial access control refers to advanced technological solutions designed to regulate and monitor entry into high-risk zones within industrial environments. They protect assets, safeguard sensitive data, and secure high-value machinery by ensuring only authorized, trained personnel can access restricted areas. 

By preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing these areas, industrial access control systems help maintain operational safety and compliance with industry standards.

Types of Industrial Access Control Solutions

From door entry systems to biometric scanners and mobile credentials, the right solution depends on your site’s layout, risk level, and workforce. Here's a breakdown of the common types of industrial access control systems, so you can choose the best fit for securing your facility.

Door Entry Systems

A door entry system is a type of industrial access control solution that requires users to enter a code before gaining access through the door. Typically, the user enters this code by providing their biometric data or scanning a keycard or keyfob.

Since they're cost-effective, keycards or fobs are commonly used. However, biometric readers offer more security since they require your fingerprint or facial credentials to grant entry.

Mobile Access Control

As the name implies, this industrial secure remote access control method is designed to approve or deny access via a mobile device. Essentially, this industrial access control type uses smartphones and smartwatches to grant entry instead of key fobs or key cards.

The process is as simple as tapping your device with the required credential onto the door reader to gain entry. Unlike keycards and fobs, mobile access credentials are more secure. This means you worry less about them being lost or stolen. 

Because they are controlled from a cloud-based server, it's easy for admins to adjust entry privileges remotely.

Biometric Access Control

Biometric access control for industrial environments is more secure because it requires individual unique traits, which cannot be duplicated. They are often used for sensitive areas like chemical storage facilities and research laboratories. 

These biometric indicators can include facial recognition information, fingerprints, and iris scans. Tokens can sometimes be added to improve security and avoid breaches associated with lost or stolen credentials.

Visitor Management Access Control

This security solution actively and accurately monitors guest entry and exit. At its core, it permits only approved visitors to enter industrial regions. Visitor management access control can log:

• Which visitor entered your facility 
• The type of guest they are
• Their time of arrival and departure 
• How frequently they visit

This way, you can control which guests enter your facility, saving you ample time and money. Unlike the traditional method of manually logging visitor information on paper, these modern solutions distribute guest data to the relevant people. 

This means you worry less about checking external contractors and verifying or signing documents before on-site operations.

Gates, Barriers & Turnstiles

Gates, barriers, and turnstiles provide secure access control to your facility, both indoors and outdoors. From tripod and full-height turnstiles to speed gates and interlocking doors, these barriers can be equipped with access cards or key fob readers to block unauthorized entry.

Many turnstiles also include attendance tracking features, making it easy to log entry and exit times, monitor traffic flow, and better understand your building’s usage.

Why is Coram the Best Industrial Access Control System?

Coram is purpose-built to handle the unique challenges of industrial facilities where security, safety, and operational control are non-negotiable.

Whether you're securing hazardous zones in a production plant or managing contractors at a logistics hub, Coram gives you complete control.

At the core of Coram’s industrial access security system is a centralized access control board that communicates directly with every secured door on your site. When an employee or visitor swipes their card on the card reader at the door, that data is instantly sent to the control board.

Coram’s software then springs into action, verifying credentials in real-time to determine whether the person is authorized to access that specific area at that exact time. If everything checks out, the door unlocks. Otherwise, access is denied, keeping unauthorized individuals out and your facility secure.

Because industrial sites often juggle dozens of access levels and rotating personnel, Coram makes it easy to manage everything from a single dashboard. You can assign or revoke access, monitor entry logs, and even issue temporary credentials to contractors or inspectors.

Simply put, Coram allows you to:

• Safeguard critical locations according to job role or clearance level.

• Keep up with changing shift patterns and contractor rotations.
• Control and audit every access event across your facility in real-time. That’s what makes Coram the ideal industrial control system access security company.

Key Features of Coram's Access Control System

Coram's industrial access control system is built to meet the real-world needs of industrial operations. This technology packs robust features that simplify your security workflows. Here's what makes it stand out.

1. It is Cloud-Based

Conventional systems typically rely on local servers and heavy hardware maintenance. However, Coram’s cloud-based architecture means access data is always accessible, always updated, and always secure.

You get real-time remote control, making it perfect for overseeing industrial facilities with multiple locations or remote operations.

2. Highly Customizable Access Rules

Everyone within your organization should have different access levels, and Coram's ACS makes this easy. With its security technology, IT and security teams can configure access levels down to the door and timeframe for each user. They can:

• Issue mobile credentials or physical cards
• Enable entry via smartphone Bluetooth or Coram’s mobile app
• Instantly add or revoke access from a centralized dashboard

The ACS also logs every access attempt (success or failure), showing who tried to enter where, and when. This helps businesses stay compliant with safety protocols and provides a full audit trail if something goes wrong.

3. Custom Schedules to Match Your Shifts and Safety Policies

Industrial sites run on tight schedules, and Coram enables you to keep pace. Need your warehouse locked from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.? Coram's ACS makes it happen. Do you need only the manufacturing crew to access the plants during the night shift? 

It's easy with the industrial access security solution. Want to restrict server room access to only the IT team? Coram's industrial access control system has you covered. Its flexible scheduling ensures the right people automatically access the right areas at the right times.

4. Integrated Video Surveillance Systems

It integrates directly with video management systems (VMS) and security cameras, including Coram’s own surveillance solutions or your existing setup. This means:

• Instant video alerts for unauthorized entry
• Tailgating detection (example, if one person enters and three slip in behind, Coram's video surveillance camera sees it)

• Video playback is linked to access logs for better audit trails and accountability

5. Scalable Across Facilities and Locations

Whether you're overseeing one warehouse or ten manufacturing sites across different cities, Coram's industrial ACS grows with you. It supports:

• Multi-site access management
• Unlimited user profiles
• Centralized control for dispersed operations

Ultimately, you can keep tabs on everything without needing different systems.

6. Reliable Offline Access for Uninterrupted Operations

Industrial downtime is costly, and Coram helps you avoid it. If your network goes down or power cuts out, the access control board stores a local copy of access credentials and keeps working. 

It also includes a backup battery so essential data and access permissions remain intact, even during outages.

Advantages of Industrial Access Control Solution

The right access control system does more than lock doors; it strengthens safety, boosts productivity, simplifies audits, and keeps you compliant. By implementing industrial access control solutions, here's what you stand to gain.

1. Optimize Facility Efficiency

Modern industrial access control systems provide critical data to simplify operations and resource allocation across your industrial site. 

By tracking workers’ entry/exit patterns at manufacturing plants, warehouses, and logistics hubs, these systems deliver precise information on facility usage. 

Then the company can analyze this data to identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency without compromising security protocols.

2. Enforce Safety Compliance and Mitigate Hazards

These solutions secure your high-risk zones and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations. Industrial access security restricts entry to hazardous areas (for example, machinery floors, chemical storage, high-voltage rooms) to only personnel with valid, verified certifications and training.

This prevents untrained individuals or visitors from accidental exposure to dangers, reduces incident rates, and provides proof of compliance with safety standards. 

3. Secure High-Value Assets

Industrial secure remote access control solutions protect sensitive equipment, inventory, and materials from internal and external threats. They ensure only authorized personnel enter sensitive areas like tool cribs, data centers, raw material storage, or finished goods warehouses.

This minimizes risks of theft, sabotage, or misuse of high-value assets while creating a verifiable audit trail for investigations and loss prevention reporting.

4. Prevents Cyber Threats

Industrial facilities face surging cyber threats: attacks targeting OT (operational technology) systems are rising as threat actors exploit vulnerabilities in networked equipment. However, modern access control acts as your frontline defense:

• Physically secure critical infrastructure (server rooms, network closets, SCADA/HMI workstations) against tampering or unauthorized USB access.

• Digitally enforce least-privilege access to cloud data, MES platforms, and building automation systems.

• Reduce ransomware risks by isolating operational networks from unauthorized personnel.

Example: With industrial access control systems, managers can restrict router access to certified IT or OT staff only to prevent production-disrupting breaches.

5. Automate Safety Compliance

By automating restrictions, these access security solutions make it easy to comply with safety regulations. They:

• Enforce occupancy limits in hazardous zones via real-time personnel counting.

• Prevent fatigue violations by integrating access logs with workforce management systems.

• Generate audit-ready reports proving restricted area access aligns with certifications.

Tips for Implementing Industrial Access Control Systems

There’s a right way to implement industrial ACS without disrupting operations. This section will guide you through best practices that ensure smooth setup and long-term success. If you're planning to roll out a new access control system, start smart with these tips.

Enforce Role-Based Access

Industrial access security solutions allow you to restrict access to high-stakes zones through role-based, compliance-driven permissions. This prevents untrained employees from triggering accidents or compliance violations.

Additionally, by implementing biometric or multi-factor authentication at critical entry points, organizations can mitigate credential sharing risks.

Integrate with Site-Wide Security and Operational Systems

Businesses can improve the functionality of these systems by incorporating other security systems. For instance, you can sync access logs with video surveillance to auto-flag tailgating at restricted regions.

Or, alarm systems can be triggered during unauthorized access attempts to sensitive locations. Doing this accelerates threat response and provides auditable evidence for safety/security investigations.

Have Emergency Response Plans for Critical Situations

Emergencies can happen in industrial settings no matter how cautious you are. However, having response plans in place helps you combat it and recover faster. To maintain preparedness and minimize downtime during crises, businesses can:

• Include automatic credential revocation for stolen or lost credentials (for instance, instantly lock out former employees).

• Activate site-wide lockdowns or stop machinery from functioning during security breaches.

• Sync evacuation routes with access points using real-time occupancy data.

Access Control Maintenance

Facility managers should conduct monthly hardware inspections to identify environmental damage. This should cover firmware updates and security patches to prevent OT network vulnerabilities.

Auditing access logs quarterly to flag anomalies also prevents system failures that create security gaps or production delays.

Execute a Comprehensive Site Risk Assessment

Thoroughly assess your site to identify weaknesses in your access security implementation. Perform penetration testing on the following areas:

• Perimeter and access roads (sensor blind spots, fence tampering)
• Research and development labs
• Loading bays and storage facilities (look out for unauthorized material diversion)
• Server rooms (physical access to SCADA systems)
• Reception areas and manufacturing plants

Deploy Suitable Credentials

Different regions have varying credential needs. Businesses can use keycards or keyfobs to control access in receptions (to reduce traffic during operational hours).

But critical locations like manufacturing plants and R&D labs should operate with stricter credentials like biometrics, multi-factor authentication, and time restrictions. This improves both the security and overall safety of your facility.

Challenges of Access Control in Industrial Sites

Industrial facilities face hurdles regarding access control. It’s not always easy to balance security, safety, and operational efficiency. That is why we are taking you through the common challenges to consider and how to handle them effectively.

1. Managing Access Based on Risk Levels

Every employee or contractor must not have access to every part of your site. Granting free access can increase the likelihood of accidents or breaches. 

But with a role-based access control system and biometric credentials, you can assign access permissions based on job roles or clearance levels. 

This way, an administrator manages everything from a centralized digital platform, making it easier to limit access to hazardous or sensitive regions.

2. Simplifying Visitor Access

From third-party contractors and auditors to inspectors and student tour groups, your site likely sees a range of visitors. 

Each group requires different levels of access. With time-based mobile credentials sent directly to their smartphones, you can provide temporary, controlled access to only the areas they need. 

This minimizes unnecessary foot traffic in restricted areas and enhances compliance with safety protocols.

3. Protecting Against Cyber Threats

Industrial operations are becoming increasingly connected through IIoT devices. But that connectivity comes with vulnerability. 

Thus, your access control systems should include modern cybersecurity defenses like firewalls, encryption, and endpoint detection and response. 

They guard against cyberattacks that could disrupt production or compromise site security.

4. Systems Update

Ripping out old infrastructure all at once isn’t always practical. Instead, take a gradual approach to upgrading outdated access control systems. Start by evaluating your existing cabling and network capacity to identify where newer tech can be integrated. 

Wireless access readers, for example, can be deployed in specific areas without needing a full-scale infrastructure overhaul. This saves both time and money while enhancing security.

Key Takeaways

• The days of traditional, basic locks and keys are long gone. Today’s industrial secure remote access control solutions offer real-time monitoring, biometric authentication, and role-based access that help secure everything.

• Working with a specialized industrial control system access security company like Coram makes compliance easier and reduces downtime risks.

• Different areas of your facility require different solutions based on risk level and usage.

• Coram’s system supports real-time monitoring, customized access schedules, video surveillance integration, and offline access. It is designed to grow with multi-site operations while keeping control centralized.

• These systems help enforce safety regulations, restrict access to hazardous areas, log audit trails automatically, and optimize facility efficiency using real-time data analytics.