Ask any business owner in the UK what their main fear is, and most will tell you a security breach. Any kind of security breach in your business is likely to cause you damage in several ways, including:
The emotional strain of dealing with your business being attacked.
The financial cost of having to repair the damage caused.
The reputational hit your business might suffer locally.
The productivity cost of losing valuable working time.
Naturally, these issues are the kind of problems that give a business owner sleepless nights. When you factor in that many issues could be avoided simply by improving how people access your business, many of the problems you face feel even worse. That is why, as a business owner, it would be wise to look into upgrading your access control process.
In this guide, we will provide insights from an expert Sheffield locksmith, who can give you the lowdown on why your business needs to consider upgrading to a digital access control system.
Access Control: At A Glance
Today, businesses are expected to combine physical and digital systems to make the most of both worlds. It can be easy to focus on one, but not the other. That is why installing and access control system makes so much sense. What is an access control system, though?
Well, have you ever tried to enter a building and instead of putting a key in a door, you have to enter something like a PIN code, keycard, fob and/or biometric scanner? That is what we call access control. These are digital systems which make it easier to approve and restrict access to a property.
Not just the property, though, but even individual rooms. For example, you could disable access to management suites for rank-and-file staff. Or, for areas with sensitive or dangerous materials, you could limit access only to those who have the permission and experience to be there.
The system is, generally, much safer. It makes protecting business assets and making sure that only the right individuals can access the correct areas a much simpler process for your security staff, too.
The Basics Of Access Control
When you speak with a locksmith about installing access control systems in your business, they can explain in more detail how your individual system will work. Generally, though, the process will follow:
An individual, such as a member of staff or a guest to your building, will reach the access control terminal.
They then input their credentials to gain access; for example, a PIN code, keycard, fob, a mobile app or even a biometric scan. Whatever you choose.
If their credentials are correct, the door will open and allow them access to the building or room. If not, the system will deny access. Repeated attempts to enter will produce a lockout.
All entry attempts are tracked accordingly. These are then timestamped into the access control systems' data logs, making it easy to track entry attempts.
The Key Parts Of An Access Control System
Like any other digital setup, access control systems are made up of a variety of different parts. These systems all speak to one another to create the secure, high-end access protections you are looking for. While systems can vary in their functions and formats (see below), most access control systems include the following parts/components:
Central control units, which provide the main functions of your access control. These hold the details about what keys/credentials will be accepted and rejected.
The lock mechanisms are used to help keep the doors shut until the correct credentials are supplied to provide access.
Power supply units, which are often used to power either the main central control unit or to provide power to the access control terminals installed on your doors.
The access credentials, such as a keycard, key fob, PIN code, phone app, or biometric.
The access readers, which are used to scan the above, so that the central control unit can then confirm or deny their access.
Emergency exit systems are usually provided as a physical override that can open the doors in the event of an emergency, power failure or system interruption.
Access Control Permissions: What Are The Main Benefits?
There are, of course, many benefits to having an access control system installed in your place of work. Some of the main benefits that you will receive if you invest in this kind of system include, but are not limited to:
Greater Overall Security
The main benefit is that your business makes it easier to avoid unwanted entry and trespassing. This stops people from coming in from the street into your premises. At the same time, it helps to keep staff in the appropriate areas of the building; junior staff should not be in management suites, and so forth.
Easier Physical Tracking
Access control systems also make it much easier to track where people are in your business. If you give a visitor access to your building, they will have a pre-approved access credential they can use. If that credential is found to be used in areas of the building that are off-limits, you can take action quickly. This makes it easier to track potential risks and hold people accountable for breaking rules.
Improved Access Efficiency
Having your security team commit to constant sweeps of the premises to look for untoward behaviour is not a great use of their time. With the help of access control systems, you make it much easier to automate access to the right areas of the building. People can move freely within the areas they are permitted, without security having to always be present to moderate access.
Improved Health & Safety
Staff and visitors are given access to only certain areas of the building for a reason – to keep them safe and to keep your assets safe. With access control automatically barring access to areas that people should not be in, you make it much easier to keep everyone safe within your premises. This vastly reduces the risk of a health and safety incident.
Quicker Response Times
In the event that something goes wrong, like a health and safety alert, your security team can react quickly to the situation and make sure the problem is resolved efficiently. The same goes for potential security breaches or staff insubordination.
Stronger Auditing
Most businesses in the UK now need to adhere to regulations regarding data protection, such as GDPR. Audit trails for access control – who entered when, and where, backed up by video footage – make it much easier to audit your business's data protection systems.
Is Access Control Safe?
Without the correct authentication – a successful PIN code, a key fob/keycard with permission to enter, biometric scans, phone apps – the doors simply will not open. Unlike a normal lock and key, too, access control systems are robust and durable, so they are far less likely to be ‘cracked’ or broken into.
In some cases, too, security teams will set up two-factor authentication for entry. So, for example, someone might have to enter a PIN code and then provide a biometric scan, or scan their phone app. Without both entry credentials, the doors will not open. This is useful because if one credential is stolen, the thief still needs to have the second option to get past security.
Since everything is recorded, too, it is easy for your security staff to audit entry attempts. They can then use paired security systems, like CCTV cameras, to look closer at who has tried to gain entry and when. Audit trails are an essential part of making sure your business is compliant with data protection regulations, such as GDPR and ISO/IEC 27001.
Pairing Your Access Control To Your Security Setup
The best thing that you can do with any access control setup is make sure that it speaks to the rest of your security implementations. For example, a well-designed security setup in a UK business will include:
Access control systems which provide entry and exit permissions for anyone who has the right to be within the building.
Intercom controls so that security teams can interact with individuals trying to access the building who need support.
Alarm designs, both around doorways and perimeter areas, notify security about potential threats and successful break-ins.
Motion detectors that capture any movement around the building, particularly in sensitive areas of the building.
CCTV and video surveillance systems that provide 24/7 visual coverage so all access requests can be double-checked.
Can You See The Benefits Of Access Control Systems?
This guide should hopefully help you understand more about the basic tenets of an access control system. Of course, every system is as unique as the business for which it is installed.
To get a lowdown on how access control could benefit your business specifically, it would be wise to contact a local commercial locksmith. They can provide a security audit and give you a detailed explanation of how an access control system would operate in relation to your business.