Glossary

access control unit

An access control unit entity represents an intelligent access control device, such as a Synergis™ appliance, an Axis Powered by Genetec door controller, or an HID network controller, that communicates directly with the Access Manager over an IP network. An access control unit operates autonomously when it is disconnected from the Access Manager.
Also known as: door controller

Access Manager

The Access Manager role manages and monitors access control units on the system.

access rule

An access rule entity defines a list of cardholders to whom access is either granted or denied based on a schedule. Access rules can be applied to secured areas and doors for entries and exits, or to intrusion detection areas for arming and disarming.

all open rule

When applied to areas, doors, and elevators, the all open rule grants access to all cardholders at all times.

antipassback

Antipassback is an access restriction placed on a secured area that prevents a cardholder from entering an area that they have not yet exited from, and vice versa.

automation engine

Automation engine is the Synergis™ Softwire feature that executes rules, similar to event-to-actions in Security Center. Automation engine works even when the Synergis™ unit is disconnected from its Access Manager.

cardholder

A cardholder entity represents a person who can enter and exit secured areas by virtue of their credentials (typically access cards) and whose activities can be tracked.

credential

A credential entity represents a proximity card, a biometrics template, or a PIN required to gain access to a secured area. A credential can only be assigned to one cardholder at a time.

degraded mode

Degraded mode is an offline operation mode of the interface module when the connection to the Synergis™ unit is lost. The interface module grants access to all credentials matching a specified facility code.

dependent mode

Dependent mode is an online operation mode of the interface module where the Synergis™ unit makes all access control decisions. Not all interface modules can operate in dependent mode.

double-badge activation

With double-badge activation, also known as double-swipe activation, an authorized cardholder can unlock a door and trigger actions by badging twice. The door remains unlocked and the action remains active until the next double-badge event.

F2F protocol

The F2F protocol is a proprietary Casi Rusco reader protocol. F2F is a one-wire protocol, as opposed to two wires in the cases of Wiegand or OSDP.

first-person-in rule

The first-person-in rule is the additional access restriction placed on a secured area that prevents anyone from entering the area until a supervisor is on site. The restriction can be enforced when there is free access (on door unlock schedules) and when there is controlled access (on access rules).

global antipassback

Global antipassback is a feature that extends the antipassback restrictions to areas controlled by multiple Synergis™ units.

hardware zone

A hardware zone is a zone entity in which the I/O linking is executed by a single access control unit. A hardware zone works independently of the Access Manager, and consequently, cannot be armed or disarmed from Security Desk.

interface module

An interface module is a third-party security device that communicates with an access control unit over IP or RS-485, and provides additional input, output, and reader connections to the unit.

interlock

An interlock (also known as sally port or airlock) is an access restriction placed on a secured area that permits only one perimeter door to be open at any given time.

I/O linking

I/O (input/output) linking is controlling an output relay based on the combined state (normal, active, or trouble) of a group of monitored inputs. A standard application is to sound a buzzer (through an output relay) when any window on the ground floor of a building is shattered (assuming that each window is monitored by a "glass break" sensor connected to an input).

I/O zone

An I/O zone is a zone entity in which the I/O linking can be spread across multiple Synergis™ units, while one unit acts as the master unit. All Synergis™ units involved in an I/O zone must be managed by the same Access Manager. The I/O zone works independently of the Access Manager, but ceases to function if the master unit is down. An I/O zone can be armed and disarmed from Security Desk as long as the master unit is online.

lockdown rule

The lockdown rule is a permanent access rule that denies access to all cardholders at all times, and can be used as an exception to rules that grant access.

mobile credential

A mobile credential is a credential on a smartphone that uses Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to access secured areas.

secured area

A secured area is an area entity that represents a physical location where access is controlled. A secured area consists of perimeter doors (doors used to enter and exit the area) and access restrictions (rules governing the access to the area).

security clearance

A security clearance is a numerical value used to further restrict the access to an area when a threat level is in effect. Cardholders can only enter an area if their security clearance is equal or higher than the minimum security clearance set on the area.

standalone mode

Standalone mode is an operation mode where the interface module makes autonomous decisions based on the access control settings previously downloaded from the Synergis™ unit. When the module is online, activity reporting occurs live. When the module is offline, activity reporting occurs on schedule, or when the connection to the unit is available. Not all interface modules can operate in standalone mode.

strict antipassback

A strict antipassback is an antipassback option. When enabled, a passback event is generated when a cardholder attempts to leave an area that they were never granted access to. When disabled, Security Center only generates passback events for cardholders entering an area that they never exited.

supervised mode

Supervised mode is an online operation mode of the interface module where the interface module makes decisions based on the access control settings previously downloaded from the Synergis™ unit. The interface module reports its activities in real time to the unit, and allows the unit to override a decision if it contradicts the current settings in the unit. Not all interface modules can operate in supervised mode.

Synergis™ appliance

A Synergis™ appliance is an IP-ready security appliance manufactured by Genetec Inc. that is dedicated to access control functions. All Synergis™ appliances come pre-installed with Synergis™ Softwire and are enrolled as access control units in Security Center.

Synergis™ Appliance Portal

The Synergis™ Appliance Portal is the web-based administration tool used to configure and administer the Synergis™ appliance and upgrade its firmware.

Synergis™ Cloud Link

Synergis™ Cloud Link is an intelligent PoE-enabled IoT gateway designed to address the demand for a non-proprietary access control solution. Synergis™ Cloud Link provides native support for a wide variety of intelligent controllers and electronic locks.

Synergis™ key store

The Synergis™ key store is a database that holds transparent reader keys, ReaderKc and ReaderKs keys for STid readers, and the SAM LockUnlock key for Synergis™ units with the optional expansion module. Keys in the database cannot be viewed or read, but can be verified using key hashes.

Synergis™ Softwire

Synergis™ Softwire is the access control software developed by Genetec Inc. to run on various IP-ready security appliances. Synergis™ Softwire lets these appliances communicate with third-party interface modules. A security appliance running Synergis™ Softwire is enrolled as an access control unit in Security Center.

Synergis™ unit

A Synergis™ unit is a Synergis™ appliance that is enrolled as an access control unit in Security Center.

threat level

A threat level warns system users of changing security conditions, such as a fire or a shooting, in a specific area or the entire system. Specific handling procedures can be automatically applied when a threat level is raised or canceled.

two-person rule

The two-person rule is the access restriction placed on a door that requires two cardholders (including visitors) to present their credentials within a certain delay of each other in order to gain access.

unit synchronization

Unit synchronization is the process of downloading the latest Security Center settings to an access control unit. These settings, such as access rules, cardholders, credentials, unlock schedules, and so on, are required so that the unit can make accurate and autonomous decisions in the absence of the Access Manager.

unlock schedule

An unlock schedule defines the periods of time when free access is granted through an access point (door side or elevator floor).

visitor escort rule

The visitor escort rule is the additional access restriction placed on a secured area that requires visitors to be escorted by a cardholder during their stay. Visitors who have a host are not granted access through access points until both they and their assigned host (cardholder) present their credentials within a certain delay.

X.509 certificate

X.509 certificate and digital certificate are synonyms. In Security Center, these two terms are used interchangeably.

zone

A zone is an entity that monitors a set of inputs and triggers events based on their combined states. These events can be used to control output relays.