When it comes to business security, there is no such thing as overprotection. Breaking into your physical or digital spaces could cause huge damage to your company, whether it’s financial or reputational. Access control systems offer an added layer of security and help protect your staff, assets, and data. In this article, we answer the main questions of why and how to use these modern solutions.
What are the limitations of traditional keys?
Physical keys for your workplace present multiple different limitations as a business. The first and most obvious is that keys can get easily lost, which then requires an expensive lock replacement and distribution of new keys.
Not only that, there is no way to know who has entered the building and when, creating further security gaps. Although it may be a rare event, you simply cannot know if a previous staff member has made a copy of your key for malicious purposes.
Lastly, from a practical point of view, some of your employees may have to carry numerous keys in order to access multiple different areas. It is impractical and inefficient.
How do access control systems work?
Modern access control system solutions provide precise entry permissions based on your specific needs as a business. This means that you can control staff access to specific zones and set time restrictions for entry, if and when required.
Additionally, the system allows you to grant temporary access to visitors and contractors. Once it is not needed any more, you have the ability to block access instantly, eliminating any associated security risks straight away.
Perhaps most importantly, these systems allow you to have detailed records of all movements within the premises. As a result, if a security incident did occur, investigating it and finding the accountable persons would be much simpler and quicker.
What are the ways to verify identity?
Depending on your chosen access control system, there are various different methods you can use for identity verifications. However, the main principle is using something that is not easily lost and can be managed digitally.
Although access cards, badges and PIN codes are a popular option, biometric security provides one of the most advanced and reliable solutions for protection. A person’s biometrics are essentially their biological characteristics that cannot be easily faked.
For instance, smart access systems can be taught to identify a person’s face or fingerprints for verification purposes. They can then be set to only allow access to specific areas, introducing multi-layer verifications for high-security areas. The best part is, biometrics are quick to set up and easy to remove, in case temporary access is required.
Are there other benefits of using access systems?
The practical benefits of access control extend beyond security. These systems can significantly improve operational efficiency, as less time is spent worrying about physical keys and security. Access rights can be updated within minutes.
Moreover, modern access control systems can be seamlessly integrated with existing business infrastructure, such as HR software and time tracking tools. As an example, a person’s work timesheet can be calculated based on their clock-in and clock-out records. This gets rid of manual processes and, therefore, further increases efficiency.
Conclusion
Moving from keys to digitalised access control might seem like a daunting transformation. But, with higher security and increased efficiency, it is undoubtedly the right move for many businesses.