Access Control systems supplied and installed by Spectra Security - Experts in Access Control.

Access control

Access control, what's it all about?

Well, in a nutshell, access control is about allowing who you want to go where you want and when you want to open doors, gates, car park barriers or any entrance to your buildings or site. Sounds complicated - but it’s really very simple.

All you need do is let us take care of the engineering and technical work, while you get on with the job of looking after and running your organisation.

What is access control and how does it work?

Every organisation has people and equipment they need to keep safe and secure. You could protect them simply by a lock and key; one lock on a door and give out as many keys as you need to the people who need them.

Simple, well yes... but wouldn't it be great to let everyone have their own unique key - then if one was lost or stolen you just delete it, whilst everyone else's key still works. Then how about only allowing those keys to be used, say, Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 6.00pm. Wouldn't it be even better if some keys could open every door but others could only open one or two?

Well now you have access control. Simple, secure, reliable and under your control.

How to open those doors? There are lots of options like card access security and using magnetic swipe cards, right up to the super simple and easy "Cotag" proximity or "Hands Free" readers. There’s even a choice of 'biometric' readers, which can connect up to your access control system.

We at Spectra buy from well known manufacturers, like the Progeny range from BSB, designed and manufactured in Blackburn since 1983; they know how access control should be designed. Spectra have been BSB partners since we were formed in 1990.

Spectra was one of the first companies in the UK to use Cotag - in fact we have supplied over 100,000 Cotag cards and readers to all types of users

So for card readers of all types, for Cotag and Progeny systems along with a good measure of our "old fashioned" courtesies and customer service, contact us, and let’s talk about how we can help.

Some access control statistics




  • Over 50,000 people now carry an access control card supplied by us.

  • We have installed access control on over 5,000 doors.

  • We service over 200 installations every year.

  • We have been installing Cotag "Hands Free" access control since 1984.

  • Progeny installers since 1983 - only they know more about Progeny than we do!

Registered Office: 338 Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancs, BL5 3QE.     Registered in England: 2508443.