Feeling frustrated with constantly managing keys and worried about who has access to your building?
An access control system provides a powerful security solution beyond keyless entry.
Access control enhances security by restricting access to sensitive areas and deterring unauthorized entry. You get full control by assigning permissions for specific times and places for each user. You can secure equipment, inventory, and confidential information by monitoring activity and identifying any suspicious behavior.
This blog explores how access control can benefit your business so you can concentrate on what matters most.
What is electronic access control?
Electronic access control is a security system that regulates who can enter specific areas or buildings.
Unlike traditional mechanical locks and keys, EAC utilizes electronic credentials and RFID readers to grant or deny access.
Components of electronic access control:
- Credentials: These are digital identifiers used for access, such as key cards, fobs, or even smartphones with digital keys.
- RFID Readers: Electronic devices that identify and validate the credentials presented by users.
- Control Panel: The central processing unit manages communication between readers, credentials, and the software platform.
- Software Platform: Manages user access rights, system settings, and often integrates with other security systems for a unified security approach.
What are the benefits of access control for your business?
1. Enhanced Security
Imagine a commercial office building where anyone with a building access key can enter any floor and office. This could pose a security risk to confidential information, employee safety, and expensive equipment.
Access control requires staff to use keycards or fingerprint scanners for entry.
This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to these critical areas. So you can streamline the entering and exiting of every single person at your office.
Access control systems track who enters specific areas and at what times. This audit trail provides valuable information for investigations of security incidents or suspicious activity.
So at all times, the employees are only allowed to access areas and information they need to perform their duties.
Electronic credentials remove the risks associated with physical keys, which can be lost or stolen, thereby avoiding the expense and inconvenience of rekeying and the security breaches that occur if a key is misplaced.
If a dishonest or disgruntled employee leaves the organization, their access rights can be easily revoked through the control system, even if they fail to return their key fob.
2. Integration with other security systems
Access control systems can be integrated with various systems to create a comprehensive security solution.
CCTV security cameras:Â
Access control can trigger cameras to record whenever someone tries to enter a restricted area. This gives you a crystal-clear picture of who, what, and when, making investigations a breeze.
Alarms:
If an unauthorized entry attempt occurs, the access control system can activate alarms, functioning like a high-tech siren to swiftly call for backup from security personnel.
Should a door in the restricted server room be forced open, an alarm will sound instantly, alerting security and significantly reducing the risk of a data breach.
Remote video monitoring:Â
A top-notch remote video monitoring center offers remote gate access control.The operators remotely open gates using video and audio systems, verifying credentials and controlling access.
This service helps deter theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access by securing your perimeter. You define protocols for handling visitors or situations at the gate, ensuring adherence to your company policies.
Fire Alarm Systems:
In some cases, access control systems can be integrated with fire alarm systems. This allows for automatic door unlocking during a fire event, facilitating safe and efficient evacuation.
3. Scalability
Electronic access control systems are designed to adapt to your evolving needs. Unlike traditional keys and locks that require rekeying for every access change, electronic systems can easily accommodate growth.Â
Adding new users, doors, or even entire buildings to the system is just a few clicks away. This scalability is often achieved through a centralized software platform that manages user credentials, access rights, and system settings.Â
This software can be easily scaled by adding additional server capacity or utilizing cloud-based ai solutions. Additionally, electronic access control systems often use modular hardware components.Â
New readers, controllers, and panels can be integrated seamlessly to accommodate additional access points without requiring significant rewiring or infrastructure changes.
This allows you to scale the system up or down as your security requirements change.
4. Save money and energy
Electronic access control can be integrated with building automation systems. When an area is unoccupied, sensors can detect this and trigger actions like automatically turning off lights or adjusting climate control.
This eliminates unnecessary energy use in areas that aren’t actively in use.
Traditional key systems often lead to lost or misplaced keys, requiring rekeying – a costly and time-consuming process. Electronic access control eliminates this issue with digital credentials.
Automatic door locking upon closing or timed access restrictions can reduce energy waste. Access control can work with your building automation system.
Lights can turn off automatically when no one’s around, and climate control can adjust in unoccupied areas, saving you money.
Wireless access control systems offer significant installation advantages. Compared to wired systems that require extensive cabling, wireless systems are quicker and easier to install, reducing labor costs.
Furthermore, wireless access points typically use low-power battery technology, minimizing their energy footprint.
5. Compliance with regulation
Regulations might require restricted access to areas like hazardous materials storage or machinery.
Access control ensures that only authorized personnel can enter these areas, minimizing the risk of accidents or unauthorized access, which can lead to hefty fines.
Some regulations across Canada dictate automatic door unlocking during fire emergencies. Integrating access control with fire alarm systems can ensure compliance and facilitate safe evacuation.
6. Ease of access for employees
Electronic access control offers many benefits for employees, making their workday smoother and more secure.
No more fumbling with lost keys! Employees can gain access through key cards, fobs, or even smartphones, eliminating the hassle of carrying and managing physical keys.
Access control allows for assigning specific access schedules for employees. This can be particularly beneficial for those with non-standard work hours or those needing access outside regular business hours.
Electronic access control can facilitate collaboration between employees from different departments by granting access to specific common areas or meeting rooms based on project needs.
7. Remote access
Remote access is indeed a powerful benefit of access control systems. It allows authorized personnel to:
Manage access from anywhere:Â
Grant or revoke access rights, add or remove users, and adjust access schedules – all remotely from a web interface or mobile app. This eliminates the need to be physically present at the location to make changes.
Monitor activity in real-time:Â
Access control systems can integrate with video surveillance systems, allowing remote monitoring of entry points.
This provides valuable situational awareness and the ability to respond to security incidents quickly.
Benefits of Access Control Systems:
| Benefit | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Security | Controls physical access to specific areas. | • Restricts entry to sensitive areas like server rooms. • Tracks who enters and exits restricted areas. • Eliminates reliance on physical keys that can be lost or stolen. |
| Integration with Other Security Systems | Works together with other security measures for a holistic approach. | • Triggers ai security cameras to record unauthorized entry attempts. • Sounds alarms in case of forced entry. • Allows remote video monitoring for gate access control. • Integrates with fire alarms for automatic door unlocking during emergencies. |
| Scalability | Adapts to your growing needs. | • Easily add new users, doors, or buildings to the system. • Achieved through centralized software or cloud-based solutions. |
| Saves Money and Energy | Integrates with building automation systems. | • Reduces energy use in unoccupied areas by turning off lights and adjusting climate control. • Eliminates costs associated with rekeying due to lost keys. • Saves money with wireless access control systems that require less installation work. |
| Compliance with Regulations | Ensures restricted access to meet regulatory requirements. | • Provides access control for areas with hazardous materials or machinery. • Integrates with fire alarms to comply with regulations for automatic door unlocking during emergencies. |
| Ease of Access for Employees | Provides convenient access for authorized personnel. | • Eliminates the need for physical keys with options like key cards, fobs, or smartphones. • Allows for assigning specific access schedules for employees. • Facilitates collaboration by granting access to common areas or meeting rooms based on project needs. |
| Remote Access | Enables management and monitoring from anywhere. | • Grant/revoke access rights, add/remove users, and adjust access schedules remotely. • Monitor activity in real-time through integration with video surveillance systems. |
ConclusionÂ
Access control systems can become the cornerstone of a powerful security ecosystem when integrated with other systems.Â
From capturing video evidence on entry attempts to triggering alarms and optimizing energy use, this interconnected approach offers a significant leap in security and operational efficiency. Â
Ready to unlock the full potential of your security system? Contact us to integrate access control into your business and create a smarter, more secure environment.
