Next-Level Access Control: Why ADP Chose ASSA ABLOY ARX
When it comes to protecting your premises, not all access control systems are equal. Many businesses rely on entry-level platforms that were designed for convenience rather than security — and the difference only becomes apparent when it matters most.
As certified ASSA ABLOY ARX installers, ADP Security Systems is proud to offer one of the most advanced and secure access control platforms available in the UK. Having recently completed an ARX installation for a client requiring the highest level of site protection, we wanted to explain what sets this system apart — and why we believe it represents the future of commercial access control.
What Is ASSA ABLOY ARX?
ARX is not simply an access control system. It is a complete security platform that combines access control, intruder alarm, fire alarm integration, and door automation into a single unified system — all managed through one interface.
Most access control systems on the market handle one job: controlling who can open which doors. ARX goes significantly further. It allows facility managers to control and monitor burglar alarms, door locks, automatic doors, and fire alarm responses from one centralised platform. This integrated approach reduces cost, simplifies management, and eliminates the risk of separate systems failing to communicate during a critical event.
Developed by ASSA ABLOY — the global leader in door opening solutions — ARX is the market-leading security system across Scandinavia and is increasingly being adopted across Europe for high-security commercial, public sector, and industrial applications.
Enterprise-Grade Encryption — Built In, Not Bolted On
Security should start at the credential. With ARX, every layer of the system is encrypted to the highest standard.
ARX uses PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) certificates with SSL encryption — a method patented by ASSA ABLOY — to ensure that every communication between readers, control units, locks, and credentials is fully encrypted. This is the same level of encryption used in online banking and government communications.
The system’s SEOS credential technology employs AES-128 and 3DES encryption, with diversified keys for each individual card. In practical terms, this means that even if a single credential were somehow compromised, it would provide no information about any other card in the system. Each credential is uniquely encrypted, making cloning virtually impossible.
This matters because many widely used access control systems still rely on MIFARE Classic cards — a technology whose Crypto-1 encryption was publicly broken back in 2008. Research has demonstrated that these cards can be cloned in under a second using equipment that is readily available online. If your current system uses MIFARE Classic credentials, your access control may not be as secure as you think.
Why Entry-Level Systems Fall Short
Not all access control platforms are designed with the same level of security in mind. Many popular systems that are common across UK commercial premises were built for ease of installation and low cost — not for resilience against modern cyber and physical threats.
Common weaknesses found in entry-level access control systems include credentials that rely on deprecated encryption standards, system communications transmitted without proper encryption, databases that store PIN codes and card data in plain text rather than encrypted formats, and limited or no integration with alarm and fire safety systems.
These are not theoretical risks. Documented vulnerabilities in widely deployed access control platforms have demonstrated that attackers can gain administrative access to system databases, extract and clone card data without possessing the original card, overwrite system passwords without prior authentication, and read user PINs directly from unencrypted database records.
ARX was designed from the ground up to eliminate these risks entirely. Its architecture uses industry-standard encryption protocols at every level, and its certificate-based mutual authentication means the system verifies both the credential and the reader before granting access.
Mobile Access With SEOS Credentials
ARX supports SEOS Mobile Credentials, allowing authorised users to access secured areas using their smartphone via NFC or Bluetooth LE — with the same AES-128 encryption that protects physical credentials.
For facility managers, this offers a number of practical advantages. Credentials can be issued, amended, or revoked remotely without the need to produce and distribute physical cards. Lost phone? Access can be disabled instantly. New starter? Credentials can be sent digitally before they even arrive on site.
There is also a simple but important security benefit: people tend to notice a missing phone within minutes. A missing access card, on the other hand, might go unnoticed for days — leaving a window of opportunity for anyone who finds it.
A Truly Integrated Security Platform
One of the most significant advantages of ARX is its ability to bring access control, intruder alarm, and fire alarm monitoring into a single system with a single interface.
With entry-level access control, you typically need a separate alarm system, a separate fire monitoring setup, and potentially separate management software for each. These systems may not communicate with each other, and managing them requires multiple logins, multiple interfaces, and often multiple maintenance contracts.
ARX eliminates this complexity. When a fire alarm activates, the access control system can automatically release doors to facilitate evacuation. When an intruder alarm is triggered, the system logs exactly which credentials were active and at which doors. Everything works together because it was designed to work together — not integrated after the fact.
The system also offers native integration with Milestone XProtect video management for live CCTV monitoring linked to door events, Traka key cabinets for combined access and key management, and building management platforms for a fully connected facility.
ARX GO — Remote Management From Anywhere
With ARX GO, the system’s web-based management interface, facility managers and security teams can monitor and control the system from any device with a browser. This includes switching alarm areas on and off, acknowledging and resetting alarms, viewing real-time activity logs, and managing access permissions across sites.
For businesses with multiple locations, this remote capability is invaluable — providing a single point of control without the need to be physically present at each site.
ADP Security Systems: Certified ASSA ABLOY ARX Installers
ADP Security Systems is proud to be a certified ASSA ABLOY ARX installer. This means our engineers are fully trained and accredited to design, install, commission, and maintain ARX systems to the manufacturer’s exacting standards.
As an SSAIB-accredited company with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, we bring the same level of professionalism and attention to detail to every ARX installation. Whether you need a single-door access point or a multi-site networked system, we tailor every solution to the specific requirements of your premises.
Our approach is straightforward: we assess your site, design a system that meets your security needs, install it to the highest standard, and maintain it for the long term. From CCTV and intruder alarms to access control and fire safety — everything under one roof.
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Access Control?
If your business currently relies on an entry-level access control system, it may be worth asking a few questions. Do your credentials use modern encryption, or could they be cloned? Are your system communications encrypted end-to-end? Does your access control integrate with your alarm and fire safety systems? Can you manage your security remotely?
If the answer to any of these is no, your premises may not be as well protected as you think.
ADP Security Systems can carry out a free, no-obligation site assessment to evaluate your current setup and advise on whether an upgrade to ASSA ABLOY ARX would benefit your security posture.
☎ 01730 261510
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