When a company produces, designs, or develops a product, it creates intellectual property that may be licenced or sold to other businesses or individuals. Organizations must ensure the well-being of their workers first and foremost. For all of these reasons and more, access control systems are an excellent choice for securing specific areas within a building, site, or estate.
But access control isn’t just about preventing unwanted visitors from entering. One possible application is ensuring the security of workers.
Think of a factory where chemicals are processed or manufactured and lots of potentially lethal machinery is in use. We may wish to restrict access to this area to only those who have received appropriate training on the machinery used here.
Threats to the safety of businesses today range from petty theft and vandalism to acts of violence and even terrorism. Whether you’re a hospital, university, or company, you’re always looking to tighten security at your facilities. There are a number of factors to consider when weighing your current security options and settling on the best solution.
The importance of door Access Control to your business’s overall security is discussed in this article. Once trusted, the lock and key mechanism must make way for a more modern, advanced electronic door access control system.
10 Reasons You Need Electronic Access Control
Employee Safety
Anything can occur in today’s world. Concerns about the safety of our digital lives have only increased as technology has progressed. However, this does not mean we can dismiss the mounting dangers to our planet. Installing door access controls can be useful. With Genea’s help, we can ensure that our facility is accessible only to the people we intend to grant access to.
Customise Access
Standard lock-in keys make it difficult to restrict access to only certain people. More so, you can’t restrict when that physical key will function. An electronic access control system lets you restrict door access to only authorised personnel during specified times of the day. Some users, like administrators, may have unrestricted access to all doors at all times.
Deter Intruders
By restricting entry to authorised personnel only, access control reduces the risk of unauthorised individuals gaining entry to your property. You can keep track of any time an intruder forces their way in by installing commercial-grade locks and the appropriate hardware. Adding a CCTV system to your existing access control system can provide you with even higher levels of safety and security for your workplace.
Reporting
In order to remain in accordance with HIPAA regulations, you must run a report. For SOC 2 compliance, you’ll need to register for an account. In other words, this is going to be made possible by access control. Through the use of a system like Genea, you can monitor the flow of people in and out of your building and retrieve a full audit trail of each individual’s access points. There is a report of everyone who was present in the building during a given time period that can be deleted. If an incident occurs, you can find out more by retrieving an account from the past that occurred during the same time period.
Maintaining a traditional lock and key is expensive and time-consuming.
Administrators who are tasked with keeping track of who has access to which doors using traditional lock and key systems know that doing so can be prohibitively expensive, time-consuming, and tedious. An electronic access control system can pay for itself in facilities with high turnover. When someone loses their wallet, it typically isn’t reported for another 26 hours, as stated in a 2012 study by Unisys (potentially containing an access card). Even so, it takes just 68 minutes to document a misplaced cellphone. If the room’s owner loses an access card, the room’s security can be maintained by saying that this is much less of a problem than if the owner loses a phone and simply changes their credentials.
Key Duplication
Does Home Depot offer key duplication services? In the case of physical keys, that is the cost of safety. Today, everything from credit cards to key fobs can be copied and hacked with relative ease. Because of this, Genea employs the use of smart cards and mobile credentials. These are superior to magnetic stripe and proximity cards because they cannot be duplicated. Smart cards are designed to be easily replaced in the event of loss or theft, eliminating any potential for fraud due to duplicate or unauthorised use.
Hyper security for sensitive data and information
Do you guys keep track of customers’ bank info? Keep private customer information on-site? Do your customers need an additional security measure for the tools you offer? Or perhaps you’d like to ensure the safety of the hundreds of laptops in your office. Two-factor authentication can be used to further strengthen the security of electronic access control systems. It’s available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
The cardholder may also be asked to enter a secret code, such as a PIN, in addition to the card. Keycards alone aren’t enough; they need to be paired with biometric information like a fingerprint. Theft of a keycard and subsequent entry by an unauthorised individual is thus prevented. Only those who use electronic access control will have this level of safety.
Consolidate security across multiple locations
Have you expanded to multiple locations? Do you have staff members who are frequently relocating between locations? In that case, I imagine it is not simple to grant them access to all of these other locations. There may be multiple systems that need to be updated to include them, or they may need physical keys. Genea and similar systems help businesses streamline security by allowing employees to use a single set of credentials across multiple offices.
Integrations
A key feature of today’s access control systems is the option to incorporate it with a wide variety of other applications. A keyholder database can be a full-time job in and of itself. What if you could integrate with your company’s human resources platform or record systems, like Active Directory or Okta, to instantly issue keys to new hires? Better yet, access is immediately revoked when a worker is let go. This is just one example of the numerous integrations available to help you streamline your operations. Genea is compatible with any service that provides an open API, and we continue to expand our list of supported services every month.
Peace of mind
Whether you are the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Information Technology, the Facilities Manager, or the Office Manager, it is very satisfying to know that the people under your care are safe and secure.
Access Control System- Why You Need One
Restrict Access to your business premises
Your company may benefit in a number of ways from limiting who can enter its property. If you need guidance determining the most efficient means of accomplishing this for your company. Whether you have a single location with a handful of employees or a global empire with thousands of workers, we have a door access system that will meet your needs.
Take Control
The Access Control in your company can be managed from a single location with the help of a Networked Access Control System. When you give each worker their own keycard or fob, you can easily track their whereabouts and keep an electronic log of their time and labour. You can restrict workers’ access to only certain floors or floors of a building by assigning them individual access permissions.
Prevent Misuse of Machinery
With the proper Access Control System in place, you can be sure that only trained professionals are using your sophisticated equipment. Your skilled workers are each given a Keycard with access to the facility’s machinery.
Save Money
By combining our Energy Saving Lighting solutions with a Networked Access Control System, you can reduce your electricity bill by preventing lights from being left on all day long when no one is in the room.
Benefits Of An Access Control System
The benefits of installing an access control system for your company. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, automated access control is a useful tool for keeping your employees safe and keeping your administration in the loop. Some of the most useful features of access control systems are:
The User Experience
A worker who needs to enter a restricted area shows their ID badge to the security guard. Physical credentials, like an access control key card, and digital credentials, like data stored on a mobile device, are both acceptable. By inserting a valid card into a reader and requesting the door be unlocked, the Access Control Unit can verify the card’s owner and release the door’s lock.
The System Manager Experience
A management dashboard or portal is provided for access control systems’ administrative purposes. Office managers, IT managers, and security directors can use the control portal to set access permissions for the building and its facilities. The manager has the ability to tailor the system to different shifts, times of day, employee ranks, and other factors. An additional hardware component, such as a card-programming machine, may be a part of this system.
The System Infrastructure
An access control system consists of electronic locks, card readers, door status monitors, and request to exit devices that all communicate with a central control panel and eventually a server.
- There are two types of electric locks: those that automatically lock when electricity is applied, and those that can only be opened by a person’s intense feelings.
- Doors leading to fire exits must have fail-safe locks, while fail-secure doors are used in places like computer server rooms that need to be protected in the event of a power failure. Push bars that allow emergency exit but prevent reentry are necessary for less secure doors.
- To activate the control panel, press the button.
- The control board should be installed in a protected area, like a server room or electrical closet. This control panel receives a signal whenever credentials are scanned and responds with permission to unlock the door.
- Server for controlling access:
- The access control system’s data and permissions are kept on a server. A door is unlocked and the time and identity of each visitor is recorded by this system. The card reader, a remote server, or the cloud can all serve as servers.
Increase Ease Of Access For Employees
One can simply “set and forget” who has access to which parts of their business by using an access control system. Authorized personnel have access to all areas relevant to performing their duties. A key card or PIN number allows the worker quick and easy access to any area of the building.
Get Rid Of Traditional Keys
There are some drawbacks to using conventional keys. A separate key is needed to restrict access to each area. More locks are necessary for a larger building. This can lead to a cluttered key ring and frustration for someone with high clearance needs, such as a janitor or security guard. A visit can be avoided and time saved with an access control system.
In addition, keys are easily duplicated, leaving you open to unwelcome entry. The business will be unprotected unless new locks are installed or former employees are required to return all keys. This is no longer a problem thanks to access control security.
Save Money And Energy
The cost of locks and security guards can be reduced by using an access control system. No guard is necessary when an access control system is installed because it can check IDs remotely.
Lighting, climate control, and access control systems can all work together. When people enter a room, the lights can automatically turn on, and they can be manually turned off when they leave. You can reduce your carbon footprint and your utility bills by adjusting the temperature of unused rooms.
Keep Track Of Who Comes And Goes
You can track who enters and leaves a building or a specific room with the help of an access control system. It’s possible to make sure everyone is clocking in and out at the appropriate times. If there is a theft or accident, you will know exactly who was in a certain area at the time.
Protect Against Unwanted Visitors
When a business is large, it’s easier for guests to slip under the radar. Access control systems have the advantage of preventing unauthorised individuals from entering a building. Due to the fact that only those who have been issued access certificates will be able to enter the restricted area, credentials will be required in order for any door to open. Everyone in the building, whether they are known to you or not, can be verified as authorised users with this system.
Who Uses Access Control Systems?
Having an access control system in place makes maintaining safety much easier. Therefore, an access control system is useful for anyone concerned with safety. In a typical lease arrangement for an office building, the landlord handles security for the building as a whole while the tenants are responsible for their own floors or floors and the areas immediately adjacent to them. Access control systems are helpful for a wide range of businesses, including but not limited to:
Healthcare
HIPPA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, requires strict adherence to the privacy of patient information. Access control systems are used for patient safety in medical clinics, insurance companies, and hospitals. Keeping digital data safe, access control systems can safeguard server rooms and server racks from unauthorised personnel. In addition to digital data, it can protect the security of physical documents, exam rooms, and medical devices like MRI machines.
Access control systems can keep untrained people out of storage areas where hazardous materials, such as chemicals or biomedical waste, are kept.
Government
Security is a major concern for municipal and state governments. In order to comply with homeland security measures, access to government buildings may be limited. While allowing public access to some areas, access control systems can be used to verify staff and restrict their access to restricted areas (such as certain departments or information).
Enterprise
Credit card processing businesses must adhere to PCI Data Security Standards. Information technology (IT) rooms and servers can be secured using access control systems. Data is even more secure because they can monitor who accesses it and when.
Education
When it comes to safety, schools, and especially universities with sprawling campuses, require measures on multiple fronts. Having an entry system with an access control system installed makes managing access a breeze. Parking lots, dorm rooms, and other restricted areas can all benefit from access control to keep students safe. Students should only be allowed to use lab equipment and expensive computers if they are enrolled in courses that require their use.
Worship Centers
It can be challenging to find a happy medium between safety and openness in places of worship open to the public. The use of an access control system streamlines the process by keeping the doors unlocked except during service times. Places of worship such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship can monitor the attendance of their staff. Schools, daycares, and workplaces can lock down specific areas while leaving the rest of the building accessible to the public.
Small And Medium-sised Businesses
Companies with thousands of employees aren’t the only ones who can benefit from key cards and access control systems. Businesses of all sizes, especially those in the small and medium range, can benefit from installing an access control system. Because access control systems can be scaled to fit a wide variety of situations and budgets, even the smallest businesses can benefit from their use.
Conclusion
When it comes to protecting sensitive areas within a structure, a site, or an estate, an access control system is your best bet. When assessing the state of your current security measures, you need to take into account a number of important details. In this article, we will go over why door Access Control is so crucial to the safety of your business. Having an access control system in place lessens the likelihood of unauthorised individuals gaining access to your premises. By using commercial-grade locks, you can keep track of how often intruders succeed in breaking in.
You can increase the security of your home or business by installing a CCTV system in addition to your existing access control system. There needs to be some sort of biometric verification in addition to a keycard, such as a fingerprint. Adding a second layer of protection with two-factor authentication can make electronic access control systems even more bulletproof. Businesses can simplify security with Genea and similar systems by letting employees use the same credentials in different locations. With the help of a centralised Networked Access Control System, you can control who has access to different areas of your business from a central location.
No matter the nature of your company, automated access control is an excellent method of ensuring the security of your workforce and keeping management informed. Electronic locks, card readers, door status monitors, and request to exit devices are all part of a comprehensive access control system. The placement of a control board requires a secure location, such as a server room or electrical closet. The areas necessary for authorised personnel to perform their jobs effectively are easily accessible. Intrusion into and egress from a building is prevented by access control systems.
Moreover, they can be used to monitor who enters and exits a room. This will allow you to identify everyone present in a given area at the time of an incident, such as a break-in or an accident. Restricting who can enter sensitive areas of corporate and governmental buildings is a common use for access control systems. Access control systems are useful for businesses of all sizes, especially those with multiple locations. They are useful for keeping an eye on employees at places of worship, schools, daycares, and other similar establishments.
Content Summary
- The importance of door Access Control to your business’s overall security is discussed in this article.
- By restricting entry to authorised personnel only, access control reduces the risk of unauthorised individuals gaining entry to your property.
- Adding a CCTV system to your existing access control system can provide you with even higher levels of safety and security for your workplace.
- Two-factor authentication can be used to further strengthen the security of electronic access control systems.
- Consolidate security across multiple locations Have you expanded to multiple locations?
- The Access Control in your company can be managed from a single location with the help of a Networked Access Control System.
- The benefits of installing an access control system for your company.
- An access control system consists of electronic locks, card readers, door status monitors, and request to exit devices that all communicate with a central control panel and eventually a server.
- Server for controlling access: The access control system’s data and permissions are kept on a server.
- A visit can be avoided and time saved with an access control system.
- Lighting, climate control, and access control systems can all work together.
- You can track who enters and leaves a building or a specific room with the help of an access control system.
- Having an access control system in place makes maintaining safety much easier.
- Therefore, an access control system is useful for anyone concerned with safety.
- In order to comply with homeland security measures, access to government buildings may be limited.
- Having an entry system with an access control system installed makes managing access a breeze.
- Places of worship such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship can monitor the attendance of their staff.
- Businesses of all sizes, especially those in the small and medium range, can benefit from installing an access control system.
FAQs About Access Control System
Why is access control important at work?
Protect your people, property, and network
Prevent theft, safety risks, and compliance breaches by requiring visitors to sign NDAs and watch safety videos before your access control system allows them in. Some workplace platforms also let you restrict workplace access based on health status.
Why is access control important in physical security?
Physical access controls enhance security and allow for efficiency, only requiring one form of authentication, a physical trait (fingerprint, retina, palm of hand). This eliminates the risk of a card being stolen or a PIN being hacked.
What is the most important in physical security?
Security experts agree that a physical security plan’s three most important components are access control, surveillance, and security testing, which work together to make your space more secure. Access control may start at the outer edge of your security perimeter, which you should establish early in this process.
What is the function of the access system?
Access control identifies users by verifying various login credentials, including usernames and passwords, PINs, biometric scans, and security tokens. Many access control systems also include multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires multiple authentication methods to verify a user’s identity.
Which best describes an access control system?
Access controls help protect against threats and vulnerabilities by reducing exposure to unauthorized activities and providing access to information and systems to only those who have been approved.
