Access Control and Visitor Management
Access control is the single most tested practical topic in this trade. The exam expects the three-step logic - identify, verify, authorise - plus the correct paperwork for visitors, vehicles and materials.
The three steps
- Identify - who is this person; ask for a recognised photo identity document.
- Verify - is the document genuine and does the person match it; is the name expected today.
- Authorise - has the host or department approved entry, and at what level of access.
Categories and passes
- Employees: permanent photo identity card, sometimes biometric or RFID.
- Visitors: temporary pass issued at the gate, valid for a stated date and area, surrendered on exit.
- Vendors and contractors: work order reference, tools and material listed in and out.
- VIPs: pre-cleared list held by the supervisor; no public register entry beyond the minimum.
Visitor register
Record: serial number, date, name, address or organisation, identity document number, purpose, person visited, time in, time out, badge number, escort name, signature.
Worked example. A technician arrives to service a printer and carries a laptop bag. Correct sequence: check photo ID, check the name against the service company's mail or call the department, issue a visitor pass with badge number, record the laptop make and serial number in the material column, arrange an escort or restrict him to the department, and on exit verify that the laptop serial matches and that no office equipment left with him.
Concepts examiners like
- Tailgating/piggybacking: an unauthorised person follows an authorised one through a door; prevention is one-person-at-a-time entry, turnstiles, and polite challenge.
- Anti-passback: the system refuses a card used to enter twice without an exit.
- Need-to-know: access granted only to the area the job requires.
Traps
- Letting a known face in without any record.
- A male guard conducting a personal search of a woman; a female guard must be used.
- Forgetting to collect the pass on exit.
- Challenging rudely instead of politely requesting cooperation.