Access control systems have become indispensable tools for organizations aiming to protect assets, monitor attendance, and maintain airtight compliance with labor and safety laws.
These systems do more than open doors. They connect physical access with data-driven insights that HR teams can use to improve workforce visibility, ensure accountability, and enforce company policies. Below, we explore the 5 best access control systems that help HR professionals secure their workplaces while simplifying employee management.
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1. Coram
Coram stands out as one of the most advanced, HR-friendly access control systems for enterprise environments. Whether you are managing a single building or a multi-site network, Coram’s scalable architecture ensures your security grows alongside your organization without adding technical complexity.
Secure Every Door
Coram’s intelligent access control protects every entry point, including doors, gates, elevators, and restricted zones. The system’s hardware-agnostic design allows it to work seamlessly with existing locks and readers, reducing installation costs. Even during internet outages, Coram’s offline mode ensures employees maintain secure access without disruption.
Access Control That Connects the Dots
What truly differentiates Coram is its ability to pair every door event with video context. Whether it is a denied access attempt, a propped door, or a forced entry, HR and security managers can instantly review the event with corresponding video footage from connected cameras, either from existing hardware or Coram’s built-in camera options.
One Simple System for Doors, Cameras, and Alerts
Instead of juggling multiple vendors or systems, Coram combines access control, video monitoring, and event alerts into a single cloud-based platform. HR departments can manage users, schedules, and permissions in real time, which is ideal for organizations tracking shifts or compliance across different locations.
Instant Access + Instant Video = Instant Awareness
Every access event, whether it is an unlock, a tailgating attempt, or an unauthorized entry, comes with built-in visibility. HR and security teams can see exactly what happened and when, all from one dashboard.
Set Schedules, Get Alerts, Stop Tailgating
Coram allows administrators to assign role-based access, create smart schedules, and issue temporary credentials for visitors or contract workers. The platform’s real-time alerts notify HR when someone follows another person through a door without permission, preventing tailgating and ensuring compliance with workplace safety standards.
Modern Access Control with a Command Center View
From a single, cloud-based dashboard, HR and facility managers can manage all door events, user roles, and camera feeds. The interface is accessible via laptop or mobile device, enabling quick responses to access anomalies even when managers are off-site.
Coram’s unified design makes it a perfect fit for enterprises seeking employee accountability, real-time visibility, and compliance-friendly reporting, all while simplifying daily HR operations.
2. Kisi – Cloud Access Control for Modern Offices
Kisi is a favorite among tech-driven workplaces looking for flexibility and ease of use. The platform allows HR departments to manage access from any device and integrates with common workplace apps like Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
HR teams can create access schedules based on shifts, departments, or compliance policies. Audit logs record every entry and exit, supporting labor audits and investigations when needed. Kisi’s mobile credentialing, where employees can use smartphones instead of badges, reduces lost-card incidents and enhances overall convenience.
Additionally, Kisi’s event-based alerts help HR teams track unauthorized entries or unusual patterns, providing instant notifications for potential compliance breaches.
3. Brivo – Secure, Cloud-Connected Access for Compliance-Driven Enterprises
Brivo’s cloud-first design is ideal for companies managing multiple office locations or hybrid employees. The system offers detailed access analytics, including who entered specific rooms and when, which is valuable for HR investigations or time tracking.
For compliance-heavy industries like finance, healthcare, and education, Brivo provides built-in audit trail features that document every credential change, access request, and system update. Its API integrations allow HR teams to connect access logs directly with HR management systems (HRMS) or payroll tools, ensuring attendance data is always accurate.
Brivo also supports visitor management modules, making it easier to log and approve temporary access for contractors, clients, or interview candidates, ensuring transparency in every access decision.
4. Openpath Smart Access with Employee Experience in Mind
Openpath focuses on employee convenience and compliance through advanced mobile and touchless access technologies. Using encrypted mobile credentials, employees can unlock doors with a simple wave or phone tap, reducing hygiene concerns in shared office environments.
For HR teams, Openpath provides detailed usage analytics, enabling data-driven decision-making about facility access and workforce behavior. You can analyze entry trends, detect potential time theft, and streamline access for different roles, all from an intuitive dashboard.
The system’s multi-factor authentication ensures compliance with strict access policies, while its integration with video systems provides verifiable records for security and HR audits alike.
5. HID Global – Enterprise-Level Access and Identity Management
HID Global remains a cornerstone in enterprise-grade access control, especially for organizations prioritizing data privacy, identity assurance, and workforce compliance. Its HID Origo platform enables organizations to manage physical and digital access credentials through one secure identity framework.
HR leaders benefit from features such as:
- Role-based access controls tied to employee records
- Credential revocation upon termination or role change
- Compliance with ISO 27001 and GDPR standards
HID’s integration with leading HR and security information systems ensures that access permissions automatically sync with employee lifecycle events, reducing manual oversight and improving audit readiness.
For organizations in regulated sectors, HID Global’s comprehensive identity governance features help ensure that every access event is documented, traceable, and compliant with internal and external audit requirements.
Why Access Control Systems Matter for HR and Compliance
Today’s HR leaders face a dual responsibility: keeping workplaces safe and ensuring operations remain compliant with labor laws. Traditional access methods like keycards and logbooks cannot meet modern requirements for data tracking, privacy, and accountability.
Access control systems bridge the gap between physical security and digital compliance, helping HR teams:
- Monitor attendance and shift accuracy: Track employee movement and validate attendance records for payroll accuracy.
- Control restricted areas: Protect sensitive zones like server rooms, HR offices, and research labs from unauthorized entry.
- Automate onboarding and offboarding: Instantly grant or revoke access credentials when employees join or leave.
- Maintain audit-ready logs: Generate detailed access reports for regulatory audits or internal investigations.
- Integrate with HR software: Sync access permissions with employee records to reduce human error and improve operational efficiency.
These capabilities make access control systems a cornerstone of modern HR technology infrastructure, aligning workplace safety with employee accountability.
Conclusion
As the boundary between physical and digital workplaces continues to blur, HR departments must adopt technologies that unify security, compliance, and employee experience. Access control systems are no longer just about door locks. They are about trust, transparency, and accountability across every level of an organization.
Among the five platforms discussed, Coram leads with its all-in-one approach, combining video context, real-time alerts, and scalable access management that grows with your business. For HR leaders, Coram offers not just peace of mind but a clear pathway to better compliance, data-driven decision-making, and safer workplaces.
FAQs
1. What is an access control system in HR management?
An access control system helps HR teams manage who can enter specific areas within a workplace. It uses digital credentials, biometrics, or mobile devices to grant or deny entry, while maintaining logs for security and compliance audits.
2. How do access control systems support labor law compliance?
They provide detailed records of employee attendance, entry times, and restricted area access. These logs help verify compliance with working hours, break policies, and security regulations.
3. Can access control systems integrate with HR software?
Yes. Most modern systems like Coram, Brivo, and HID Global offer API integrations that sync access permissions with HR and payroll systems, automating credential management.
4. What is the benefit of pairing access control with video surveillance?
Pairing access events with video footage adds context, helping HR teams verify incidents, prevent tailgating, and resolve disputes quickly. Coram’s unified system excels at this.
5. Which access control system is best for large, multi-site organizations?
Coram is ideal for multi-location businesses due to its scalable design, cloud management, and compatibility with existing hardware. It ensures secure, unified access control across all facilities.