ACCESS CONTROL TERMS C
Card: An identification device assigned to an individual that identifies that individual. Typically, it is the size of a credit card. See Access Card, Key Tag.
Card Access: A type of access control system using encoded cards and card readers to identify cardholders and determine if access may be granted. See Cardholder.
Card Encoder: A device used to encode data onto an access card.
Card Reader: A device that retrieves information stored on an access card and transmits that information to a controller.
Cardholder: An individual who has been assigned an access control card or tag.
Central or on line processing: A system where all systems information is stored in a central location and all go or no-go decisions are made by this unit.
Checksum: An additional set of information transferred with a computer program or a data stream that is used to verify the accuracy of the data just transferred.
Chip-In-Card: See Smart Card.
Circle of Protection: A security plan in which the items to be protected are surrounded by two or more protective zones of increasing size. For example, a bank vault may have the heavy vault door, followed by a controlled access door into the vault area, followed by the bank building with an alarm system.
Circuit Breaker: A switch on an incoming power circuit that opens if abnormal circuit conditions arise (such as an overload or short circuit).
Coercivity: The property of a magnetic material, as on magnetic stripe keys, which is a measure of the coercive force. It is used when describing the strength of magnetic saturation when discussing magnetic stripe card keys.
COM Port: A hardware device that allows a computer to communicate with external devices.
Conductor: A material that readily allows electricity to flow through it. Most metals are good conductors.
Contact: A magnetically or electrically controlled connection point that opens or closes to interrupt or allow the flow of current.
Contact Rating: The load rating of a switch, listed by maximum voltage and/or current accepted by the switch.
Control Center: A central location in a secure area where access and alarm sub-systems are supervised and security personnel are located.
Control Point: An exit or entry point such as a door, turnstile, or gate, where access is controlled.
Controller: A microprocessor based circuit board that manages access to a secure area. The controller receives information that it uses to determine through which doors and at what times cardholders are granted access to secure areas. Based on that information, the controller can lock/unlock doors, sound alarms, and communicate status to a host computer.
CSA: The CSA label on a product signifies that the product has met requirements set by CSA International, and that the product manufacturer is authorized to use the CSA symbol on their products.
Cypher Lock: A digital push-button combination lock.