CHAPTER
2
MPA2C3 Installation Guide 21
ACCESS CONTROL PANEL OVERVIEW
An access control system protects and preserves an enterprise’s resources by pro-
viding authentication, authorization, and administration services.
Authentication is a process that verifies a user’s identity. If the user is verified, the
system then either grants or denies access to specific areas and resources. Admin-
istration includes the creation and modification of user accounts and access privi-
leges.
An access control system consists of hardware and software, usually configured in
a network environment over a standard network protocol. Access control units,
readers, door strikes, and video and other devices, for example, are configured to
control and monitor the access to a company site.