University Of Iowa Protects
Computer Lab With Card Access Control System
Iowa City, Iowa
The University of Iowa provides
security for equipment and users of the computer
lab in its new Pappajohn Business Administration
Building, without giving up the flexibility of access
required to meet the needs of a large campus.
Located in Iowa City, the University was founded
in 1847 and now serves about 27,000 students. Its
College of Business, with about 2,000 students,
recently moved into the new facility, thanks in
part to a major gift from alumnus and venture capitalist
John Pappajohn, which helped to make the project
possible. On the building's second floor is a computer
lab that features 100 individual workstations and
is the largest open student computer lab at the
University. It also offers direct access to the
Business Library. While the lab is open to users
during normal school hours, when it is supervised
by a monitor, the complexities of college schedules
often require that authorized individuals gain access
at other times. Security for both the computer equipment
and people who may be working alone were considerations
in selecting a security system.
Flexible Access Control
To provide access control that
would meet the varying needs of user schedules,
as well as the ever-changing student body, without
elaborate and difficult key control measures, the
University installed a Von Duprin Series 7000 card
access control system. In addition to the computer
lab, the system also protects two outside entrances
where security could otherwise be a problem. One
accesses the building from a below-ground parking
garage, while the other is installed on an outside
entrance that also provides access for disabled
individuals and other students during school hours.
Lucy Luxenburg, ITC Lab Coordinator at the facility,
explains, "The Von Duprin system allows someone
who is going to work in the computer lab to start
from the outside, get into the building, and then
into the lab." She says the lab is generally
open from 7:00 A.M. until midnight, and there are
approximately 30 students who work as lab monitors
during these hours. "Some monitors need access
prior to opening time to get things set up, and
some have to be here after the lab closes. We also
have to give access to some faculty members, teaching
assistants and other staff members so they can come
in anytime they have a project."
 Main
card reader for Von Duprin 7000 system at University
of Iowa is at the entrance to the computer lab from
the adjacent staff offices. Electric strike allows
the door to be opened when a valid card is swiped
through the reader.
Before moving to the new facility,
a key system was used, but it became complicated
and difficult to control. "We wanted to eliminate
the key process," Luxenburg explains. "With
30 students and others needing a building key plus
a lab key, coupled with a high turnover rate, keys
were constantly being checked in and out. There
was also the potential for lost keys, and it was
difficult to keep track of who was actually using
them. This necessitated frequent and expensive rekeying
of the doors."
The new access control system
combines fast, easy programming with a high degree
of flexibility in time, day, date and zone control.
It is designed to accept a wide range of control
methods, including specially issued access cards,
conventional credit cards with or without PIN
numbers, and keypad controls. Through combinations
of individual units with card readers and keypads,
a system can be designed to control everything
from a single door up to 18 doors. Its ability
to accept programming for various levels of access
and time blocks makes it easy to control up to
32 different time blocks in varying combinations
of days, dates and hours.
"One of the things we like about it,"
says Luxenburg, "is that we can keep track
of who goes in and out and the times involved.
With a key, people can get in anytime, whereas
with this system, we can restrict access, via
the ID card, to certain times."
Using the System
The University's system is programmed to use student
or faculty identification cards, which are based
on the individual's social security number. Using
a PC, the card number is simply entered into the
system, followed by the hours, days and other
parameters for when that person is allowed access.
A personal card of this type, which has many uses
other than access control, makes it less likely
that someone will lend the card to an unauthorized
user. If the individual leaves the University
or no longer requires access, or if the card is
lost, its authorization can be revoked quickly
to prevent unauthorized use. If necessary, a new
card can be issued, using a suffix number that
will supersede all other cards.
The system at the University currently has nine
card readers, seven of which are at the computer
lab. One master unit, which also has a keypad
that can be used with PIN numbers, is installed
at the entrance to the staff office adjacent to
the lab. The system can also be programmed from
the master unit, although the PC is generally
used here.
An important feature of the system is its flexibility
of zone control. Three variables can be set: time;
access level; and type of access required - card,
PIN or both. These are used in varying degrees
on the door connecting the staff office with the
lab. Luxenburg explains, "At 5:00 P.M., the
card reader will not give access to any student,
only to the staff in this area. From 8:00 A.M.
until 5:00 P.M., students working in the lab can
get back here, but after we're closed, they can't
get in." Also, there are classrooms located
adjacent to the lab where seminars may be held.
During these sessions, the system can be programmed
to fit specific access requirements. Luxenburg
reports that during a recent two-week seminar
"participants were in there from 7:30 A.M.
to 10:00 P.M., and the door was set according
to their hours, so the faculty members and students
didn't need cards to get in and out. The classroom
door unlocked and relocked as needed, but access
to other areas, including the main computer lab,
was restricted."
In the lab, a control panel on the monitor's desk
contains one pushbutton for each card reader,
so a monitor can momentarily disable a door lock
and allow individuals access to specific areas
or rooms off the main lab. A key on the panel
permits it to be locked during hours when a monitor
is not on duty, so a card is then required for
access to all areas. Since the system can be set
to restrict access by an individual to a specific
area or during specific hours, it provides effective
security around the clock, as well as recording
the identity of users and attempted users.
The Pappajohn Building Project
The 186,000 square-foot Pappajohn
Business Administration Building is the largest
academic building on the University of Iowa campus.
Primary architect for the project was Architectural
Resources Cambridge, of Cambridge, Massachusetts,
in a joint venture with Neumann Monson Architects,
of Iowa City. The building's design reflects the
neoclassic architecture of the University's historic
pentacrest. In addition to the computer laboratory,
three computer classrooms, and nine 70-seat classrooms,
it houses such diverse facilities as an 18,000
square-foot business library, 387-seat and 165-seat
auditoriums, and a full-service deli.
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