Access control systems are a great way to regulate who has access to a building, office space or other assets. They restrict unauthorized entry by using electronic devices to verify and authenticate individuals before they are granted access. This can be beneficial in many ways, from keeping the building safe to ensuring efficient operation and saving money on energy costs. In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of access control systems and how they can benefit your business!
Reduces The Risk Of Burglary And Theft
Access control systems are important for businesses, especially those that have sensitive data, equipment or hardware. They keep information secure and prevent cyberattacks. An access control system includes a series of components, each of which performs a specific function. Among them are readers, infrastructure and software. Readers, installed near doors, capture input such as cards, mobile phones, and signatures and then send it to a server, which tracks the information and assigns access. Depending on the type of access control system you have, the reader can be a simple card reader or an advanced biometric scanner. In a larger organization, the head of security might also set policies that restrict access to certain areas and at different times. The policy can be determined by time of day, IP address, role (department or management level), or specific system from which an individual has logged.
Increases Efficiency
Having an access control system will increase your company’s efficiency by making it simple to allow people to get to the areas they need to be in. Employees can scan key cards or input PIN codes to gain access to different doors, gates & barriers, or designated routes. Similarly, by integrating your access control with your lighting, heating and cooling systems you can adjust lights and temperatures when people are in a room or area to save money on energy.
Eliminates The Need For Traditional Keys
Using traditional keys can be expensive, time-consuming, and prone to breakage. In addition, they are also susceptible to unauthorized use and theft. Access control systems eliminate the need for traditional keys by using biometrics like fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition to verify that an individual is a valid user of a building. These technologies are secure and hard to replicate, making them a preferred choice for high-security properties such as federal buildings and financial institutions.
Saves You Money
Access control systems have a lot of benefits in terms of saving your business money. They can reduce the number of security guards you need to hire, as well as the cost of keeping them on shift overnight. These systems can also help you save time and money in terms of keeping track of people who are late for work. You can then identify these individuals and take corrective measures if necessary. Another great way that access control can save your company money is by reducing the amount of money you spend on maintenance and repairs. For example, it can help you adjust your building’s lighting and heating systems based on which rooms are used most at any given time. Lastly, having an access control system can also help you keep your employees safe. For example, it can help you prevent theft of your company’s equipment or sensitive information by restricting unauthorized personnel from accessing these areas.
Got questions about whether access control systems are right for you? Be sure to contact our access control professionals here at Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about what we can do for your property!
Access control systems come in many different forms, but all have one thing in common: they grant permission to enter a building or system only when presented with a set of credentials. Access control systems are a great way to protect your premises and ensure your employees have the freedom to move around freely. They also help you to understand how your buildings are being used by tracking people in and out of certain areas.
Authentication
Authentication is the process of determining whether someone or something is actually who they claim to be. This is done using a variety of methods, such as biometrics and fingerprint scans, to confirm the identity of an individual. Access control systems use a combination of authentication methods, including proximity card readers and biometric reader technology, to prevent unauthorized users from entering restricted areas. They can be standalone or linked to a comprehensive software database, held on local controllers or in the cloud. A user must present their valid identification to the reader, which will then authorize their entry to a restricted area through the system database. This could be a standalone solution, a remote server or in the cloud, based on the user’s access level. Besides being a critical component of an organization’s security protocols, access control is a great way to track the time that individuals are in a given space or system, as well as limit their access at certain times of day and days of the week. These policies can be dynamic, allowing organizations to change them as their risk factors change.
Access Control Infrastructure
Access control infrastructure is the system that governs access to information, facilities and physical areas. It allows administrators to set access levels for employees, contractors and guests so that only those who need to see and use specific data can gain access. This infrastructure uses a series of authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users. These can include usernames, passwords, PIN numbers or tokens. Authentication is often combined with identification mechanisms, such as mobile phone codes or key cards. This is called two-step authentication, or multifactor authentication. Organizations with regulated industries such as banking, healthcare, nuclear plants and utilities often require strong access control systems. These security systems ensure that confidential information stays within the company, not in unauthorized hands. They can also help organizations comply with various regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and PCI. In addition, they can help prevent insider-threat breaches. They can also help monitor and report on employees’ movements at all times of the day.
Physical Access Barriers
A physical barrier can be defined as any obstacle or limitation that delays or prevents entry into a particular area. While many people view physical access security as an afterthought, it’s one of the most crucial aspects of any good security plan. Having physical barriers around server rooms and other sensitive locations can protect a company from potential hacking of equipment, unauthorized personnel, or other threats to its reputation, performance, and finances. In modern systems, physical access is controlled by software and hardware that translate an organization’s authorization guidelines into verification that locks and unlocks doors and barriers in accordance with those guidelines. These systems can be integrated with alarm systems to alert security professionals when unauthorized access is attempted at your facility.
Reporting
Reporting is the process of automatically presenting data collected from systems, as a result of the application of various controls, in an automated and visual form. It allows for more transparency, frees up human resources and helps in developing fact-based business processes. In terms of access control, reporting helps to ensure that only authorized personnel are granted access to building facilities. It does this through the use of policies pertaining to subject authentication, authorization and audit. This can be done by means of various credential formats, ranging from physical cards and fobs to biometric data like fingerprints, face or iris to mobile access cards stored in smartphones. It can also be accomplished via remote user enrollment and management features, enabling administrators to grant and revoke access without physically meeting employees or visitors in person.
Got questions about whether access control systems are right for you? Be sure to contact our access control professionals here at Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about what we can do for your property!
Are you asking yourself “What are the benefits of an access control system?” Everyone knows that security is extremely important for all-size businesses. It doesn’t matter if you store client information or equipment; it is important to protect the assets of your business. Read on to find out the business of implementing an access control system.
Benefits of Installing Access Control Systems
Are you asking “Is an access control system worth it?” An access control system is a security solution that prevents or permits access to a certain space, building, or location. Here are some of the benefits of using these systems.
Easy Management
One of the biggest aspects of using access control systems is the ability to simplify the management process of dealing with employee credentials, tracking, and entrance security. Implementing such systems allows you to monitor and track all activity from all entry points from one remote location.
Keep Track of Activity
When you have an access control system in place, it is much easier to track the activity of guests, visitors, and even your employees. If your business happens to experience a theft or break-in, you will have the ability to recall who has accessed the building, or location.
Adjust Access Times
With modernized access control systems, you can access certain times for visitors, employees, and entire groups of people. You can set access times for employees during work hours or if you are hosting a long-day gathering, etc.
Make Certain Credentials for Access a Requirement
It is also possible to require certain credentials for access when using your access control system. You can implement badges that indicate certain credentials but also work to keep track of who is given access and to what locations throughout your locations.
Take Away Hassle of Using Traditional Keys
If you notice how much of a hassle it is to keep track of keys, then transitioning to an access control system is a must. Taking the hassle away from using traditional keys is an extremely appealing aspect of implementing access control systems for many businesses, no matter how big or small they are.
Streamlining Exiting and Entering Your Business
An access control system is important if you want to know who is coming and going out of your business on a day-to-day basis. It can help you save time while enabling more focus on what’s more important for the growth of your business.
Minimize Risk and Improve Security
Transitioning to access control systems is a great way to increase security for your business and building. Not only does installing access control systems help to keep better track of who is accessing your business, but it also provides details of who is accessing certain rooms and locations. This gives you a boost in security.
Choosing the right access system for your Fairfax, VA business depends on a number of factors. Whether you’re protecting a business, school, hospital, parking garage or other facility, you need to make sure that your system can handle multiple users, intrusion attempts, access control technology updates and more. Working with an experienced locksmith can ensure that you get the appropriate system for your specific needs.
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your access system.
Why choose an electronic access system?
Physical locks and keys are a time-honored access control system, but they have their flaws. First, keys can be lost, copied or stolen, which means it’s harder to verify exactly who has access to your building.
There’s also no way to put a time limit on when a person can enter the facility, unless you plan to rekey each lock every time someone gets fired or otherwise has their access revoked. For large-scale operations, this is not only impractical but expensive.
Additionally, someone has to be in charge of keyholder management, and if there are multiple access points, each employee or manager will need to carry around multiple physical keys.
Electronic access systems solve all of these problems, whether you use key cards, keypads or biometrics. It’s much easier to control who has access to your building—and for how long.
Types of access control systems
There are three broad categories of access systems:
Autonomous systems: These systems have internal memory and do not need external software or intelligence to operate. They may not offer remote management, and their capacity to handle large numbers of users may vary.
Online systems: Online systems use a remote server to handle access control operations. When someone enters a code, swipes a key or uses biometrics, the information is sent back to the server. If the access is approved, the server sends a signal to unlock the barrier.
Distributed intelligence systems: These types of systems use a controller to grant access. When access is granted, the information is sent to the server and controller to record and report the event. When the communication is down, the server records the event.
Other things to consider
In addition to the type of access control system you choose, there are other things to consider. For example, you may want your access control to integrate with CCTV and other surveillance equipment, including intruder and fire alarms. This will create a robust security system that ensures only authorized personnel get into the protected areas—and it also makes it much easier to revoke their access when necessary.
To choose the right access system for your business, you want to work with an experienced system designer and installer. They’ll have the latest access control technology updates in Fairfax, VA, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a top-of-the-line access control system.
What makes up an access control system in Fairfax, VA? While they’re tailored to the individual needs of the organization or individual, there are four main elements that every access control system has in common. When building or designing access control technologies, it’s wise to work with experienced locksmiths—they’ll help you determine which technologies are easiest to use and most logical for your needs.
Read on for an overview of the four key elements of an access control system.
Access control barrier
The first element you’ll need is an access control barrier. This could be anything from a locked door to traffic barriers commonly seen in parking garages. You might use a fence and gate as a barrier, walls or whatever your business requires to keep others out.
The type of barrier you choose will depend on your location’s physical requirements. Naturally, barriers to keep out vehicles will look different than barriers to keep out foot traffic. Consider where you’ll be placing the barrier and what kind of security concerns you want to address.
Access control verification or identification equipment
Next you’ll need to determine what kind of verification or identification equipment you’ll need. Key cards and keypads are popular, since they’re easy to carry around or memorize. Again, the type you choose depends on your specific needs. In a hospital, you might use key cards to keep out unauthorized personnel or visitors, while a simple code entered into a keypad can be used in retail facilities.
When deciding which kind of verification or identification equipment to use, give serious consideration to safety and security: Can your employees share cards and codes with each other, or will that present another security issue? For example, if you want to protect your retail store’s stockroom, a code is often shared between employees. In other facilities, however, you might need to choose personalized access codes for each employee or visitor. Biometric systems can be a great way to address these needs.
Access control panel to control the barrier
You’ll also need a control panel to control the barrier and determine who is allowed access. Choose a control panel that will grow along with your facility, since you’ll need to maintain a database of authorized personnel.
Communication structure to connect each element
The final piece of your access control technologies is the communication structure, which transmits information between each element above. Your locksmith or access control system designer will recommend the right type of communication structure for your specific access control system.
Security is important, especially in this day and age, so it makes sense to get a state-of-the-art access control system to protect your business.
When you need experienced locksmiths and access control technologies in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key. We can design, install and program access control systems for your office, hospital, retail facility, apartment complex and more. No matter what the size and scope of your system, we’re ready for the job. Call us today to get started.
Benefits Of Access Control Systems For Businesses
An Overview Of Access Control Systems