
Explore the fundamentals of access control, including architecture, core components, topology, hardware, credentials and readers, and the codes and peripherals needed to design and install effective systems.
Gain security fundamentals through real-world examples as Chris Wilson shares over twenty years of experience and momentum security training resources to boost retention and knowledge for all professionals.
Define how access control determines who may enter where and when using credentials, readers, a door control panel, and locking hardware.
Explore daisy chain, networked, and hybrid topologies that connect the main computer on the customer network to door controllers with individual IP addresses. Distinguish serial data from TCP/IP network communications.
Examine how NFPA life-safety codes, NFPA 70 electrical code, and ADA requirements shape door types and hardware, including fire doors, egress, and fail-safe versus fail-secure locking.
Assess beveled and non-beveled doors to select compatible locking hardware. Learn about mag locks, door strikes, back sets, bond ratings, and turnstile flow for secure access control.
Discover peripheral devices that complete an access control system, from doors and door hardware to card readers, wiring, and shielded cabling, plus motion detectors, push-buttons, and pressure pads for exit.
Learn four door closer types and door position switches, how they detect open or closed states, and how software alerts and local alarms prevent door prop.
Select readers by choosing credential type and format, then consider read range, frequency, encryption, and reader–controller protocols such as Wiegand, clock and data, and OSTP, plus mounting and infrastructure needs.
Explore how proximity readers power and read credentials like cards and key fobs via resonant energy transfer, and how read range and keypad choices enable secure access.
The controller is the brains of the access control system, storing decisions locally. Evaluate compatibility, wiring, and options such as network, wireless, or hybrid controllers, with tampering risks in mind.
Configure access control controllers to set unlock times, ADA access, and door held-open alerts, while configuring reader formats (Wiegand, clock and data, OSTP), inputs, outputs, and tamper switches.
Explore how to wire a controller with various inputs and outputs, including card readers and door sensors, and understand back emf, diodes, and power over ethernet for secure access systems.
Learn how PoE standards govern power delivery for access control components, calculate total power budgets for controllers, readers, sensors, and locks, and ensure code-compliant, UPS-backed operation.
Momentum Security Training’s Fundamentals of Access Control course is designed to teach students the basics of access control. This class is for anyone who works within the access control industry and wants a better technical knowledge of access control. The course will cover what access control is and how it works. Students will learn industry-standard topology configurations, how to handle different door situations, different locking types, and cabling types and practices. The course will cover standard industry credentials, components, equipment for access control systems. Safety and code regulations are briefly covered.
While not a requirement, we recommend technicians take our basic electronics and construction courses before beginning this course for a better all-around technical understanding of this material.
Momentum Security Training is disrupting the status quo in the physical security industry by providing context-based education that empowers our students to deliver high-quality solutions.
Legacy training has been either manufacturer taught, or peer taught each of which has its own limitations. Today, security training consists of teaching someone how to do something, we are empowering our students to learn WHY it works so that no matter the situation or product there is a deeper understanding of the technology and the theory behind it.
Chris Wilson: A security professional with over 20 years experience in the US security market, from mid-market through enterprise. Experience ranges from senior technician, project manager, and system design engineer/solutions architect. I am an active CSPM (Certified Security Project Manager) and industry expert for system design and best practices/techniques.