The increasing number of crime reports and attempts calls attention to the rise of theft and the concerns for that feeling that New Zealand properties and businesses are not as safe as they used to be.
Establishing policies, procedures and business practices to avoid unauthorized access to your business and controlling the authorized ones are good practices and IQ options to make your place and business safer.
We have already published interesting information about Loss Prevention here. You might want to read about it to learn more and protect your business but in this Security Blog Post we are going to present to you the Access Control Systems and when you should consider investing in it.
Access Control Systems
The first step in security and prevention is to keep out those people who should not be allowed in the premises for any reason.
Access Control is a way of restricting and monitoring access to parts of a building to authorised people only during a certain period of time in order to enhance safety and security.
Whether you need to restrict access to sensitive areas within a commercial building, school, shop or workplace, regulate the flow of people across a place and/or manage the safe movement of a crowd, you can use an access control system to do this.
It means that only authorised staff or managers can access the warehouse, while customers are restricted to the shop area, for example.
An efficient system can provide you with the same - or even greater – level of security than physical fences or gates do, but by being flexible it means that the system allows employees to get on with their work place and at the same time protect them from unwanted guests.
When well designed and installed, the smart access control system makes it easy to manage the flow of guests, visitors, suppliers and employees.
In the case of any attempt to gain unauthorised access, the integrated response can be set (including remote notifications and video surveillance).
About flexibility, when an electronic access control system needs to be changed for any reason, it allows the simultaneous execution of many types of procedures based on a variety of conditions which we call “triggers” and can be set and unset according to your needs.
What kinds of equipment does it involve?
The access control system consists of a combination of equipment:
Control Panel - Electronic and Magnetic Door Locks – Proximity Cards - Key fobs – Mobile Apps - Keypads - Intercom Systems
CONTROL PANEL
This is the heart of the whole system and controls everything that happens: all the requirements, all restrictions and authorizations, how to react to any of the triggers etc.
SMART DOOR LOCKS
Security Door Locks are electronic (or mechanical) fastening devices that are released by key, electronic cards, remote controls, mobile app, control panel codes providing a unique and safe combination for unlocking and enabling access.
While mechanical locks allow only physical contact for locking/unlocking electronic locks provide way more options to control access, as the convenient remote controls and mobile apps.
Doors controlled by electronic access may be programmed to be unlocked for free access during certain times of the day (Monday to Friday from 8:20 AM to 5:00 PM, for example) and to be locked after hours (or only accessible to staff with authorized proximity cards).
A simple system may only consist of a single door with an electric lock that needs the user to enter a code on a keypad, fingerprint or a key fob to gain entry (like a garage with a remote control, for example). A complex system can consist of hundreds of doors, with certain users only allowed to access certain doors, and maybe only at certain times or on certain days of the year.
ACCESS CONTROL PROXIMITY CARD READER TECHNOLOGY
Access Control Proximity readers provide an optimum balance between convenience and security. It means that you choose and control who will receive the cards, and also where and when each one of them will have the authorization to access.
This kind of system is really simple and smart: the person has to present a card or a key fob to a reader and access is either granted or denied through determined doors (temporary electronic or magnetic door unlock).
SECURITY APPS
Some security Access Control Systems have the ability to transmit events to an off-site monitoring station such as a smartphone via app, for example, allowing you to control access anytime and from anywhere. Once again, giving extra peace of mind.
KEYPADS
It is also possible to have a keypad on the door to unlock it providing access.
INTERCOM SYSTEMS
Increase the security and improve communication with a standalone or fully integrated intercom solution allowing you to remotely communicate with people trying to have access to your building.
Having a smart intercom system means that you cannot only see your visitors but speak with them and open the door from your intercom system just by using your smartphone or tablet.
It is also convenient when you are away and need to receive the courier, for example, or give temporary access to a supplier, a customer or service staff.
When is an Access Control System needed?
You might consider having an access control system in your shop, school, company, building or premises when:
- You must provide a safe environment for your employees, visitors, customers and contractors
- To identify who is in your building or premises in compliance with Health & Safety regulations
- Control access to certain areas (like highly secure areas, warehouse, high-value assets, sensitive data)
- Control access during certain periods of time (e.g. after business hours)
- Need to control remotely the access to your building and premises
- Require money savings by integrating the access control system to smart building management systems
What’s more, another great advantage of an access control system is that it may enable energy savings. Knowing the occupancy of a particular sector or building captured through the exit registration, for example, it is possible to turn lighting and air conditioning off.
It is also important that you ensure your security and building access complies with all business regulations, including Health & Safety New Zealand standards.
The ability to design a project and install these Access Control Systems in new construction or to upgrade an existent building requires a high level of experience and practice, especially to fulfill your needs and fit into your budget.
Secure your Home and Business, contact our security specialists and get a security consultation about Access Control, Alarm Systems, CCTV Surveillance cameras and security for FREE!
