SURAKSHA

Smart Security Lock with Automatic Attendance System and Automatic Unwanted-Access Stopper System

Security Automation • Embedded Systems • Smart Attendance

Controller: Arduino Mega 2560 Identification: RFID and Fingerprint Lock: 12 V Solenoid Logging: RTC and SD Card Connectivity: ESP32 Status: Completed Prototype Proprietary Project

SURAKSHA integrates access verification, automatic attendance, door-lock control and unwanted-access prevention in a single embedded platform. Authorised users can be verified through RFID cards or fingerprint authentication, while unauthorised attempts activate a siren, red warning indicator and access-denied response.

Introduction

Conventional door locks normally provide only physical access control and do not automatically record attendance or identify repeated unauthorised attempts. Separate attendance registers also require manual operation and may contain errors.

SURAKSHA was developed to combine electronic locking, user identification, entry and exit monitoring, attendance logging, role-based permissions and unauthorised-access prevention in one system.

The prototype uses an Arduino Mega as the central controller. RFID and fingerprint systems verify users, while a relay operates the 12 V solenoid lock. The LCD displays access messages, the RTC provides accurate time, and the SD card stores attendance and security events.

SURAKSHA smart security and automatic attendance prototype — SURAKSHA prototype showing the RFID reader, fingerprint sensor, LCD, lock-control circuit, relay and power arrangement.

Abstract

SURAKSHA is a smart electronic access-control and attendance system developed using an Arduino Mega, RFID reader, fingerprint sensor, I2C LCD, RTC, SD-card module, relay and solenoid lock.

When a user presents an RFID card or fingerprint, the system checks the stored authorisation information. Valid users receive access, the solenoid unlocks and the attendance event is recorded with the date and time.

Invalid, blocked or unauthorised credentials are rejected. The system activates a red indicator and siren and stores the denied-access attempt. A magnetic door sensor monitors whether the door is open or closed, while an exit switch supports controlled movement from inside.

Keywords: Smart Security Lock, RFID, Fingerprint Authentication, Automatic Attendance, Solenoid Lock, RTC, SD-Card Logging, Door Sensor, Access Control and Embedded Systems.

Objectives

Provide secure electronic entry through registered RFID cards and fingerprints.

Record attendance automatically with accurate date and time.

Prevent access using unknown, blocked or invalid credentials.

Activate a siren and red indicator during denied access.

Record both entry and exit events for better occupancy monitoring.

Provide different permissions for users, administrators and super administrators.

Store attendance and security records locally on an SD card.

Support future online monitoring through ESP32 connectivity.

Features

RFID-card identification using the RC522 reader.

Fingerprint-based biometric user verification.

Automatic entry and exit attendance recording.

Date-and-time stamping using the DS3231 RTC module.

Attendance and denied-access records stored on an SD card.

Relay-controlled 12 V solenoid door lock.

Magnetic sensor for monitoring open and closed door conditions.

Exit switch for controlled internal door release.

Red and green indicators for access status.

Siren and buzzer response for unauthorised access.

Configurable access limits and role-based permission.

Administrator override for emergency access.

Daily attendance reset and new-day record creation.

ESP32 provision for online data synchronisation.

Role-Based Access System

Standard Role

Registered User

Can enter using an authorised RFID card or fingerprint. Access may be controlled by working hours, daily limits or account status.

Management Role

Administrator

Can manage normal access operations, review attendance, resolve access conditions and use selected administrative functions.

Highest Permission

Super Administrator

Has unrestricted authorised access, emergency override permission and full system-management capability.

Scientific and Working Principle

RFID authentication works through electromagnetic communication between the RC522 reader and the RFID card or tag. Each registered card contains a unique identification number that is compared with authorised records stored in the program.

Fingerprint authentication analyses the captured fingerprint pattern and compares it with enrolled templates. A matching template confirms the user’s identity.

When access is approved, the Arduino activates the relay and energises the solenoid lock for a selected period. The green indicator turns on, the LCD displays an approval message and the event is recorded with the RTC date and time.

During a denied attempt, the lock remains closed. The red indicator and siren are activated, and the denied event is recorded for later review.

Stage 01 RFID card or fingerprint is presented

Stage 02 Arduino checks identity and permissions

Stage 03 Access limit and account condition are verified

Stage 04 Solenoid unlocks or unwanted access is rejected

Stage 05 Attendance event is time-stamped and stored

Stage 06 Door sensor confirms the final door condition

Interactive SURAKSHA Simulation

Select an authentication method and credential type, then press Scan Credential. The virtual lock, attendance counter, LCD, siren, indicators, SD-card logger and door status will update automatically.

SURAKSHA Access-Control Simulator Security System Online

SURAKSHA READY

SCAN CREDENTIAL

RFID Reader RC522 Credential Verification

Fingerprint Sensor Biometric Authentication

Locked

Access Test

Authentication Method

Credential

Requested Action

Security Dashboard

0 Current Occupancy

0 Entries Today

0 Denied Attempts

0 Stored Records

System Ready Present an RFID card or fingerprint to begin access verification.

System Outputs

RTC —

Door Sensor Closed

Solenoid Lock Locked

Siren OFF

SD-Card Logger Ready

ESP32 Sync Standby

Attendance and Security Log

— No events recorded Ready

This browser simulation illustrates the project logic and does not connect to a real lock or attendance database.

Components Used

Arduino Mega 2560
RC522 RFID Reader
RFID Cards and Key Tags
Fingerprint Sensor Module
12 V Solenoid Door Lock
Magnetic Door Reed Sensor
Exit Push-Button Switch
Relay-Control Module
16×2 I2C LCD Display
DS3231 Real-Time Clock Module
SD-Card Data-Logging Module
ESP32 Development Board
Emergency Siren
Active Buzzer
Red Warning Indicator
Green Access Indicator
Breadboard
Jumper Wires and Connectors
Step-Down Voltage Converter
Main Rotary Power Switch
Regulated Power Adapter
USB Programming Cable

Technical Description

The Arduino Mega manages authentication, user permissions, attendance records, lock operation and security warnings. RFID card identification is performed using the RC522 reader, while biometric identification is handled by the fingerprint sensor.

The DS3231 RTC provides the date and time used for attendance logging. Entry, exit, denied-access and override events can be stored on an SD card in a structured record.

The relay module controls the higher-current solenoid lock without passing its operating current directly through the Arduino. A separate regulated supply powers the lock and siren.

The magnetic reed sensor detects the actual door condition. This allows the controller to identify whether the door is closed after access or has remained open.

Component	Function	Role in SURAKSHA
Arduino Mega 2560	Main controller	Handles authentication, attendance, access logic and system outputs
RC522 RFID Reader	RFID identification	Reads the unique identity of registered cards and tags
Fingerprint Sensor	Biometric verification	Matches scanned fingerprints with enrolled templates
Relay and Solenoid	Electronic locking	Locks and unlocks the physical door
DS3231 RTC	Date and time	Time-stamps attendance and security events
SD-Card Module	Local record storage	Saves entry, exit and denied-access data
Magnetic Reed Sensor	Door-condition detection	Confirms whether the door is open or closed
I2C LCD	User interface	Displays instructions, names, access decisions and warnings
ESP32	Wireless connectivity	Supports future online attendance and monitoring functions
Siren and Indicators	Security feedback	Provides immediate visual and audible access-status information

Circuit and Connection Overview

Authentication and Logging

SPI, I2C and serial communication interfaces are used to connect the authentication and logging modules to the Arduino Mega.

RC522 RFID Connected through the Arduino Mega SPI interface

I2C LCD SDA pin 20 and SCL pin 21

DS3231 RTC Shared I2C communication bus

SD Card SPI pins with a separate chip-select pin

Fingerprint Sensor Arduino Mega hardware serial connection

Lock and Security Outputs

The lock and siren use suitable driver or relay stages and an external power supply. They should not be powered directly from an Arduino output pin.

Relay Input Configured Arduino digital-output pin

Solenoid Lock Powered through the relay from a suitable external supply

Door Sensor Digital input with pull-up configuration

Exit Switch Digital input with button-debounce logic

Siren and LEDs Controlled through suitable output or driver circuits

Methodology

Study security, attendance and unauthorised-access problems in conventional locking systems.
Select RFID and fingerprint identification for multi-method user authentication.
Integrate the Arduino Mega, RC522 reader, fingerprint sensor and LCD.
Register authorised users and define their access roles and limits.
Connect the relay and solenoid lock and test controlled unlocking.
Add red and green indicators and a siren for access feedback.
Integrate the RTC and SD card for time-stamped attendance and security logging.
Add the magnetic door sensor and internal exit switch.
Develop entry, exit, daily-limit and administrative override logic.
Test valid, unknown, blocked and limit-reached credentials under different conditions.

Development Results

The prototype demonstrated RFID-based identification, fingerprint verification, LCD feedback, relay-controlled locking, exit-button operation and visual and audible security responses.

Authorised credentials produced an access-granted response and activated the lock. Unauthorised credentials were rejected and produced an access-denied warning.

The system architecture also supported date-and-time information, attendance-record preparation, door-status detection and administrator override functions.

SURAKSHA development and experimental results — SURAKSHA prototype during RFID, fingerprint, LCD, relay, solenoid-lock and power-system testing.

RFID Verification Registered RFID credentials were identified by the controller.

Biometric Verification Fingerprint authentication supported user identity confirmation.

Lock Control The relay operated the electronic solenoid-lock system.

Attendance Entry and exit events were prepared for automatic recording.

Unwanted Access Unknown or blocked credentials triggered denial and warning responses.

Door Monitoring The magnetic sensor supported door-condition detection.

Project Support and Recognition

Research Excellence and Project Support

DIGITEK Solutions

SURAKSHA received project support and a Research Excellence Certificate for its smart security, automatic attendance and unwanted-access prevention system.

View DIGITEK Certificate

Future Scope

Develop a secure online dashboard for attendance and security-event monitoring.
Send instant notifications during repeated denied access or forced-door conditions.
Add encrypted communication between the controller and online server.
Integrate camera-based event capture for critical access attempts.
Add multiple-door and multi-room management.
Introduce configurable schedules and temporary visitor credentials.
Provide attendance reports in spreadsheet and PDF formats.
Add backup power for continued operation during power failure.
Develop stronger enclosure, tamper detection and weather-resistant installation options.

SURAKSHA is not an open-source project. Its design, documentation, source code, access-control logic, attendance system, circuit architecture, user-interface designs, images and technical material may not be copied, reproduced, modified, redistributed, reverse-engineered or used commercially without prior written permission, except where permitted by applicable law.