Access control systems have become integral in maintaining physical security in both public and private buildings. They are the first line of defense in keeping out malicious actors by denying them entry. They have also become useful in foot traffic management by filtering people out of spaces they should not access. There are different access control brands and models on offer. So how do you pick one that meets your building's security needs?
Type of Building
What business goes on your premises? For example, if you handle lots of cash, your threat profile becomes very high because many felons would love to come and take it. On the other hand, if you process insurance, the threats against you are fairly low or non-existent.
But many buildings these days hold a mix of businesses. So, if you are the property manager in such a building, you could look at each tenant's security case by case.
Amount of Foot Traffic
Your premises may not have a high threat profile but see a lot of foot traffic. Government buildings handling permits and licenses are good examples. In such premises, the concern is more about controlling this foot traffic to minimize business interruption.
In such a building, foot traffic is controlled by implementing visitor protocols. For example, visitors to the upper floors should go through a card access control system.
Type of Technology
What kind of technology does your access control system support? Today's systems support cards, keypads, biometric scans, and even near-field communications like Bluetooth and Wifi. The type of technology you deploy must be convenient for your tenants and visitors.
In a building with many visitors, you need a technology that is convenient to deploy and use. For example, it is easy to configure hundreds of cards with a visitor profile, while it would be inconvenient to scan the biometrics of each visitor.
Ease of Integration
An access control system does not act in isolation. The best setup combines it with security camera surveillance. It becomes easier to see people at different access points even as they come in. Visitors can wait for admission while you verify their identities.
The system should also integrate with other existing software. For example, the control panel should be easily accessible on all computer operating systems using a browser. A web-based access control system can be controlled from any kind of hardware, including mobile devices.
Are you looking to control the way people access and move around your workplace? Talk to a security systems provider about a robust access control system.