Building Management: 5 Reasons to Use Access Control Systems for Business and Government Security

Building management is a top concern for property managers and building owners looking to increase business security. Multiple interior and exterior doors, the presence of restricted or sensitive areas, and heavy traffic all add to security concerns. Access control security systems can help solve many of these problems and minimize unauthorized entry.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different access control technologies available to government and businesses, and then take a closer look at how they can help you increase the security of your building (and save money, too).

Part I: What technology can an access control system be composed of?

Some building managers may think of access control security systems as expensive and complicated electronic networks that are difficult to implement. They can actually be tailored to accommodate different building sizes, occupancy types, and budgets.

An access control security system allows building management professionals to do more than just control entry to restricted areas. It also maintains electronic records of entries and exits to said areas. Such records help building managers measure traffic and identify who used a door at any given time. This makes it much easier to answer important security questions like “Who was in the building when that incident happened?” etc.

The best access control method for you depends on the specific security needs of your business. Four of these methods are detailed below.

Access Control Method #1: Keyless Entry Swipe Cards

These cards carry magnetic stripes that contain information about the cardholder. A card reader scans the strip and allows or denies entry as appropriate. The cards are relatively inexpensive, and each user can be issued a different unique ID for tracking in and out.

Access Control Method #2: Biometric Scanners

This type of system requires the user to enter some type of biological information, in addition to or instead of an access card. The most common types are retina (eye) and fingerprint scanners. Fingerprint scanners or voice activation systems can also be used.

This type of access control system is more secure than magnetic cards; It sounds silly to say, but it’s pretty hard to fake an eyeball or a hand. The technology for these devices has been advancing and becoming cheaper to manufacture and install.

Access Control Method #3: Keypad Systems

Users enter an assigned code on a keypad to gain entry to a building or area. Electronic keypads are difficult to manipulate and are reprogrammable in case a code needs to be changed. Unique access codes can be given to each user to track entries.

Access Control Method #4: “Smart Cards” or Proxy Card Readers (Proximity Cards)

They are similar to magnetic cards, except that the user’s information is contained on a microchip instead of a magnetic stripe. These tend to be more secure and less prone to damage than magnetic keyless entry cards.

Both swipe cards and proxy cards have the added advantage of being able to display a photo and written security credentials, making it easier for live security guards to verify identity.

Access control system design

An access control security system has several main components. In essence, there is a computerized control center and a record of each person granted access to the building or parts thereof.

The control center is linked to entry points throughout the building. These points may include not only gates, but also elevators, turnstiles, parking gates, and other barriers. There is no fixed limit to the number of points that can be monitored in this way.

This is how the security link works: The barriers at the entry points are equipped with electronic scanners that serve to verify the information entered by the user.

When information is entered into the scanner (either by swiping an access card or entering biological information, etc.), the reader transmits the information to the control center. The computer verifies security credentials and grants or denies entry accordingly, with a note in its logs that it did so.

Part II: 5 Reasons Access Control Can Increase Business and Government Security

Governments as well as medium to large sized buildings and businesses can greatly benefit from the use of access control security systems. The five biggest benefits include:

1) Reduced cost due to fewer security guards needed and easier lock changing

In large buildings, it can be prohibitively expensive to have security guards controlling all the crucial entry points. From this point of view, access control security systems can pay for themselves in a few years or less while maintaining security.

Another important aspect of cost reduction for government or business security involves the use of smart cards. Using a swipe card or proxy card eliminates the need to change locks if the key card is lost, stolen, or not returned by a laid-off employee. Simply remove that card from the system and access is prevented, while access for other users is not interrupted.

Let’s say the unfortunate happens: You manage some warehouses and you have a low-level manager who turns out to be a bad hire. He runs away and leaves one day without returning the keys to the building. Now you have to change all the locks… an expensive fix, but it has to be done or you risk theft, or perhaps worse.

Compare this to the situation where an electronic access control system was installed. If all you walked off with was an access card, take 5 minutes and delete your access credentials from the system, forever after you are denied access, no locksmith needed. That’s real money saved.

2) Ability to maintain public and “employee only” areas simultaneously

Many buildings see a mix of daily traffic between public visitors and staff. With access control in place, public visitors can still enter, but restricted points can be prevented from passing. Non-staff people don’t have to be intimidated by elaborate and overbearing commercial security systems, and building managers don’t have to worry about visitors gaining access to restricted areas.

3) Ability to log in and out

Governments and some companies often need to keep records of who comes and goes. Access control security systems allow them to do so in an efficient and easy to interpret manner.

4) Ability to protect sensitive areas

Access control systems allow the user to establish various levels of security access. After a keyless entry card is assigned to each person working in a particular building, specific security clearances can be granted to each cardholder.

For example, a cardholder may only have access to the exterior doors. Another cardholder can be granted access to both exterior doors plus some or all of the interior barriers. This allows building employees to easily enter and exit, but keeps sensitive areas protected.

Certain situations may also be easier to handle when access control is installed. In the event of a major security issue, electronic access control facilitates a security lockout (or security lockout), preventing all access except for those with high-level authorization. This helps keep the problem contained in the building (or keeps it off the premises).

5) Guarantee the honesty of employees

The true cost of employee dishonesty is hard to estimate after an enterprise security breach, which is sadly all too common these days. With access control systems in place in their areas, executives responsible for building management don’t have to constantly wonder if employees are gaining access to unauthorized areas. This piece of mind, for some executives, can have a monetary value far greater than the cost of the system!

In conclusion

Access control security systems are relatively simple to monitor and maintain. If installed correctly, they are difficult to tamper with and defeat, providing peace of mind for building managers and tenants. If you are in the business of building management and site security, access control can be a very suitable option to meet your security needs.