Access control using video? Find out how!

Access control has always been an important topic within companies and (government) organizations. After all, how do you set this up as well, safely and efficiently as possible? Of course we are familiar with the most common solutions such as tags, passes or numerical codes, but did you know that access control can also be streamlined and automated using (existing) camera images? In this article, we take a closer look at that.

As mentioned, there are numerous access control solutions. But before we get into that, let’s look at what exactly access control is and what benefits automation of it brings.

What is access control?

Access control, simply put, involves the process of granting or denying a person or vehicle access to a specific building, site or space. The use of automated access control provides several benefits to companies and/or (government) organizations:

• Thus, it increases the security of buildings, grounds and spaces.
• Automation of access control eliminates the need for physical control by security personnel, for example. This reduces costs.
• And you can always see which person or vehicle has been inside.

Automatic access control using video images

Thus, in addition to conventional access control solutions such as tags, cards and numerical codes, (existing) camera images can also be used. Camera images contain an enormous amount of information. When you are able to analyze this information automatically, the images can be used to trigger certain actions.

That analyzing footage can be done using Video AI Analytics. Video AI Analytics is software that can give meaning to video footage based on smart algorithms. As a result, the system is able to automatically recognize what is happening in the camera’s field of view and then attach an action to it. For example: does the software recognize a certain person? Then it automatically opens the door via an I/O integration.

Application of Video AI Analytics within access control

The application of Video AI Analytics is enormously broad. As a result, the software offers several functions that can be deployed within access control. Below we list these for you.

Document verification

First, there is the document verification function. This algorithm can be used, for example, to grant access only to people who are employed there. The person simply shows their access card or ID card to the camera, allowing the software to match the ID card with the person’s face. If this person is also on “”green”” in the database and the photo matches the person’s face, the door is opened. The great advantage of doing this through cameras is that additional checks can be made immediately. For example, are there two people in a sluice and there should only be one? Then the door remains closed, even if the verification is in order.

Personal protective equipment

Video AI Analytics can also be very useful within sterile areas or industrial environments. Is a person wanting to enter not wearing the proper protective clothing? Then access can be denied. If the person is wearing their protective gear properly, then access will be granted.

Face recognition

Furthermore, of course, it is also possible to open or close doors based on facial recognition. Is the person’s face in the database for persons allowed to enter? Then an action can be performed on it by the software. With this application, as with the ID verification function, it is important to work in compliance with AVG/GDPR regulations.

> Also read the article: ‘IO integration: how Video AI Analytics literally opens doors <

In addition to access control for people, Video AI Analytics can also be used for vehicle access control. There are several options in this area as well:

License plate recognition/LPR

Perhaps the best known of these is license plate recognition. Also known as LPR. Based on a license plate, it is possible to grant or deny vehicles access. Through black and white listing in the database, it is easy to control which vehicles are allowed to enter and which are not. Want to know more about this functionality? Then read our article on smart parking management based on video images.

Vehicle Recognition

But it doesn’t stop there. Because the power of Video AI Analytics, is that it recognizes objects based on Deep Learning and Machine Learning. That is, the software is also able to recognize vehicles based on external characteristics such as type and shape. This makes it possible to allow only trucks through, for example, where cars are rejected. Of course, countless variations on this can be imagined.

OCR, QR of barcode

Passing vehicles can also be based on an OCR code, QR code, or barcode. This feature can be used very well within port areas, for example, where many trucks drive around with certain containers. By the way, this can also be used to grant persons access to certain areas or spaces, as long as they carry a code that can be scanned. An additional advantage is that this information can also be used to search for, for example, a certain container on the premises or a package in a warehouse on the basis of a number or barcode.

Video AI Analytics makes existing cameras multi-purpose

The big advantage of deploying Video AI Analytics, is that you can use existing camera systems. Due to the broad nature of the technology, these camera systems can be used for other purposes in addition to access control. Thus, the purchase of new, single-purpose solutions is not necessary.

After reading this article, are you curious about what Video AI Analytics can do for your organization? Then please Contact one of our specialists. They will be happy to help you further.