Access Control

An access control system is an electronic security solution that controls who can enter specific areas of a building. It works by verifying a person's identity through a credential like a key fob, card, PIN, or mobile device, and granting or denying entry based on pre-set permissions. For businesses, this means the right people move freely through your space while unauthorized access is automatically blocked, logged, and flagged. PasWord Protection designs and installs commercial access control systems across Southern Ontario, tailored to your building layout, staff count, and risk profile.

When someone presents their credential to a reader at a door, the reader sends that information to a central controller. The controller checks it against your approved user list, applies any time-based restrictions such as business hours only, and either releases the lock or keeps it secured, all in under a second. Every access attempt is logged, giving you a full audit trail of who entered, where, and when. PasWord Protection handles installation, programming, and ongoing support so the system works exactly as your operation requires from day one.

The most common types used in Ontario commercial properties are key fob and card reader systems, PIN keypad systems, biometric systems using fingerprints or facial recognition, and mobile credential systems that use a smartphone in place of a physical card. Each type suits different security levels and budgets. Card and fob systems are the most widely deployed for general commercial use, while biometric systems are typically reserved for high-security areas such as server rooms, dispensaries, or restricted laboratories. As a Tyco-authorized dealer, PasWord Protection installs and integrates access control hardware from one of the most trusted names in commercial security, whether you need a single-door solution or a networked system across multiple sites.

For most Ontario businesses, a card or fob-based system with centralized cloud management is the most practical starting point and is easy to scale, straightforward to administer, and compatible with most commercial door hardware. Higher-security environments benefit from layering biometric authentication on top of card access for two-factor verification. What matters most is that your access control integrates with your broader security setup, including cameras and intrusion detection, so your perimeter is protected proactively rather than reactively. PasWord Protection will assess your building, staff count, and security requirements and match the right configuration to your needs.

Yes. The Ontario Building Code places specific requirements on access-controlled doors, particularly those on exit routes. Electromagnetic locks on exit doors are only permitted if the lock releases immediately on fire alarm activation, on loss of power, and when a manual override switch near the main entrance is operated. Every access-controlled exit door must also carry a permanent sign reading "Emergency Exit Unlocked by Fire Alarm" with letters at least 25mm high. This means your access control system must be integrated with your fire alarm panel to meet code, an installation detail that matters significantly when choosing a provider. PasWord Protection installs access control in full compliance with Ontario Building Code requirements and integrates it directly with your fire alarm system where required.

Yes, and for most commercial properties integration is strongly recommended. A standalone access control system logs who enters and exits, but pairing it with video surveillance means every access event has a visual record attached. When integrated with your intrusion alarm, an unauthorized access attempt can trigger an immediate alert to PasWord Protection's 24/7 monitoring centre, which dispatches the appropriate response without waiting for you to notice. PasWord Protection's systems bring access control, cameras, intrusion alarms, environmental sensors, and the PasWord Connect app together on a single integrated platform, giving you complete visibility and control from one place.

Costs vary significantly depending on the number of doors, credential type, and whether the system is standalone or cloud-managed. As a general benchmark, professional installation for a commercial access control system typically ranges from a few hundred dollars for a basic single-door setup to several thousand dollars per door for networked or biometric systems, with cloud-managed platforms carrying an additional monthly software fee. For businesses with multiple controlled doors, total installed costs can run well into the tens of thousands depending on scope and complexity. PasWord Protection offers no upfront cost options on select packages and provides a site-specific quote at no obligation, contact our team for an accurate figure based on your building and requirements.