Benefits of an Access Control System

Benefits of an Access Control System

Benefits of an access control system

Security is a top priority for businesses of all sizes. If you work with confidential information or expensive equipment, protecting your business’s assets is essential to success. Whether you have 10 or 10,000 employees, an access control system can allow or deny access and let your employees go where they need to go. 

Access control systems can make life easier for your employees, save you money and keep your workplace secure. Whether you are a business owner weighing the pros and cons of an access control system, or an administrator looking for reasons to get one, this guide has your answers.

What Is an Access Control System and How Does It Work?

An access control system allows or restricts access to a building, a room or another designated area. It is an electronically powered form of physical security that manages who has access to a location at a particular time.

The User Experience

An employee who wants to enter an access controlled location presents their credentials. Credentials could be physical, such as an access control key card, or digital, such as information on a mobile device. A person makes an unlock request at a card reader, which then sends the information to an Access Control Unit, then authorizes the user and triggers the door to unlock.

The System Manager Experience

On the administrative side, an access control system has a management dashboard or portal. The control portal allows office administrators, IT managers or heads of security to specify who can access the premises and under what conditions. The manager can create settings based on shifts, time of day, the employee’s rank or job title and more. This system may also include a physical component, like a card-programming machine.

The System Infrastructure

The infrastructure of an access control system covers electric locks, card readers, door status for monitoring traffic and request to exit devices all reporting to the control panel and then the server:

  • Electric locks: Fail safe locks, which will lock when supplied with power, and fail secure locks, which will unlock when supplied with power. Fail safe locks are necessary for doors on fire escape routes, and fail secure doors are for rooms that need to be protected in the event of an outage, such as an IT office. Fail secure doors will still need push bars that allow people to exit but not reenter in the case of an emergency.
  • Access control panel: The control panel is usually set up in a secure location, such as an IT room or an electrical closet. Whenever someone’s credentials are scanned, the signal is sent to this control panel, which then sends the authorization to unlock the door. 
  • The access control server: The server stores the access control system’s data and permissions. This system decides to unlock a door for a specific user and tracks data for who enters and when. Servers can exist on a dedicated computer, a cloud-based service or in the card reader itself.

Who Uses Access Control Systems?

who uses an access control system

An access control system simplifies security in many ways. So, anyone with security needs can benefit from an access control system. Typically, in a rented office space, the landlord controls access to the building itself, and the tenants manage the access control for their areas. There are a variety of industries who can gain from access control systems, such as:

Healthcare

Those in the healthcare industry use access control systems to follow HIPPA regulations for health data confidentiality. Doctor’s offices, insurance companies and hospitals alike protect patients with access control systems. Access control systems can protect IT rooms or even equipment racks from unauthorized access, helping keep digital data secure. It can also safeguard physical files, examination rooms and equipment like MRI machines.

If you store chemicals or biomedical waste, access control systems can prevent untrained individuals from getting hurt.

Government

For local and state governments, security is a top priority. Government buildings are subject to homeland security regulations, which may mean restricting entry. Access control systems can verify employees and limit access to departments, confidential information and more, while maintaining public access to other areas.

Enterprise

Any business that accepts and processes credit cards must meet PCI credit card data regulations. Access control systems can also limit access to IT rooms and servers. They can track who accesses certain data and when, further protecting the information. 

Education

Schools, especially universities with large campuses, have multi-location security needs. Access control systems make managing entry a breeze. Access control can keep students out of faculty parking lots, unauthorized individuals out of dorm rooms and more. If you have lab equipment or expensive computers, access control systems can be programmed to ensure only those registered for corresponding courses can access these areas.

Worship Centers

In sanctuaries and spiritual centers where all are welcome, balancing security and accessibility can be difficult. Access control makes it easy, keeping doors open during services and locked at other times. Churches, temples, synagogues and mosques can track employee’s comings and goings. They can also keep areas like schools, daycare centers and offices secure while keeping the rest of their facilities open to all.

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Key cards and access control systems are for more than big corporations with thousands of employees. Small and medium-sized businesses can reap the benefits of using an access control system, too. Access control is scalable, so small businesses can find solutions that work for their size and budget.

The right access control security system will be user-friendly, so you can protect your business without a security or technology background. 

types of access control systems

What Types of Systems Are There?

Access control systems can be housed on a cloud server or a local server. You can control access via keypads, card readers or mobile devices. When it comes to setting permissions, you have three options for how you can manage access:

  • Role-based access control: In this control structure, all users who have the same role have equal access. For example, in a healthcare lab, all researchers can access a chemical storage room, while administrators cannot. This system can grant access based on the level of privilege, so employees of various seniority only access what they need.
  • Discretionary access control: In this model, the business owner has control over who has access to each entry point. Each door’s card reader has a list of authorized users, set by the business owner, and these individuals have access to that building or area. 
  • Mandatory access control: Mandatory access control is the most restrictive. In this case, a policy, software or hardware component restricts access without exception. Mandatory access works for larger organizations where a head of security determines the rules that grant access. For example, employees may need to know a password or enter a pin into a keypad to enter a building. This is ideal for companies with lots of specific security needs, such as tech companies. It allows a centralized authority like a security office to make policy decisions about who can access what areas. It also enforces standardized security policy across many locations.

What Are the Benefits of Access Control Systems?

How can an access control system help your business? No matter the size or industry, automated access control can protect employees and let administrators know who accesses the premises. The most significant benefits of access control systems are:

1. Increase Ease of Access for Employees

An access control system allows you to “set and forget” who has access to each area of your business. Once you give the authorization, an employee can access all the areas they need to get their jobs done. With the scan of a key card or input of a PIN, the employee can get to wherever they need with ease.

2. Get Rid of Traditional Keys

The use of traditional keys has a few drawbacks. Restricting access to particular areas requires individual keys. The larger the building, the more locks you need. For an individual like a janitor or a high-clearance individual, this can mean a bulky key ring and confusion about which keys do what. An access control system saves time for those accessing restricted areas and also saves you visits from the locksmith.

Also, keys can be duplicated, leaving you vulnerable to unauthorized access. If an employee doesn’t turn in their key before they leave your company, you leave yourself unprotected or must get your locks changed. Access control security does away with this.

3. Save Money and Energy

With access control security, you save money on locks and security personnel. An access control system can verify a person’s identity without the need for a security guard.

access control can save you money

Access control systems can also be integrated with lighting, heating and cooling systems. Lights can turn on when there are people in a room and will shut off when they leave. You can also adjust temperatures when no one is in an area to save on energy costs.

4. Keep Track of Who Comes and Goes

An access control system gives you data on who enters and exits a building or room and when. You can ensure people are working when they are supposed to be. If theft or an accident occurs, you know exactly who accessed a specific area at the time of the incident.

5. Protect Against Unwanted Visitors

A large company creates an opportunity for visitors to go undetected. One of the benefits of using access control systems is that unauthorized people cannot get in. Since doors need credentials before they unlock, only those you’ve given credentials to can access the area. With this system, you can be sure everyone in your building is supposed to be there, whether you know them or not.

6. Give Employees the Freedom to Work When They Need To

When employees work at different times, an access control system lets them enter whenever they need to. People can come in early without waiting for someone to unlock the doors, and managers don’t have to stay late to lock up at the end of the day. You’ll have the ability to offer flexible schedules for your employees. With the management dashboard, you can also check comings and goings without being there yourself.

7. Prevent Against Data Breaches 

Health information, financial records and client data are often stored on company-owned servers. Access control systems can restrict or grant access to IT rooms and even individual computers or networks, so only trusted individuals may access them.

8. Create a Safe Work Environment

Access control systems let trusted individuals inside and keep others out. You have the freedom to do background checks and keep out anyone without the right credentials.

Also, access control systems can keep your employees safe in the case of an emergency. Doors with lock-and-key mechanisms remain locked, which can be unsafe when a fire or other emergency requires a swift escape. Through the use of fail safe locks, doors unlock when the power cuts out, so all people can exit a building without the need to fumble for their keys.

9. Reduce Theft and Accidents

You can protect your company’s assets, expensive equipment or even office supplies by controlling access. You can restrict access to supply closets and computer banks, so only trusted individuals can access them. Employees know their arrivals and departures are tracked, which deters theft.

Also, lab equipment or chemicals in schools or hospitals can injure people who aren’t trained to use them. To prevent accidents, you can restrict access to only those who know how to follow safety protocols.

10. Provide Access to Multiple Buildings and Locations

Traditional key-based security gets complicated in areas with multiple locations. A school with two campuses might have some faculty members that teach at both and some that teach only at one. A hospital with two buildings might need to grant different levels of access to people who work in each building or on each floor. A national or regional company might set security policies at their headquarters to be followed at each branch. 

Each of these situations can be managed with an access control system that can customize and implement access permissions across many locations.

11. Comply With Industry Regulations or Security Standards

There are many regulations for data security that need restrictions on physical access to data. Anyone in the healthcare industry must comply with HIPPA, but most organizations are subject to these regulations as well. If an employee or student requests a medical leave, records of the individual’s illness must be kept secure. In the world of commerce, customers’ financial information must be kept safe, and IT Departments must restrict access to servers and digital data.

All this information, whether it is a digital or paper file, can be secured with an access control system.

Find the Right System With Morefield Communications

At Morefield Communications, we help find the security solutions that fit your needs, size and budget. Access Control Systems are an excellent solution to security needs that work well on their own and as part of a physical security network. With over 75  years of service, we have the expertise to provide reliable security solutions. 

work with a technology expert

As a Pennsylvania-based company, we are invested in the success of local businesses, as well as our community, which helps us find the most efficient solutions for our customers. When you choose Morefield Communications as your security provider, you receive a holistic approach to all of your technology needs.

To discuss how we can help you protect your business and give your employees a safe work environment, contact us today.

Guide to Touchless Temperature Screening Systems

If you’re looking for ways to improve the safety, efficiency and ease of your customer or employee screening process, touchless thermal temperature scanners offer all of those benefits in one convenient package. These tools offer a straightforward but powerful advantage to businesses that want to do their part in preventing the spread of illnesses and keeping their employees and clients as safe as possible.

An automated temperature screening tool can eliminate human involvement in taking someone’s temperature while offering impressive accuracy and speed. Plus, they can integrate with your access control system so you ensure that only healthy individuals enter your facility. Let’s take a closer look at touchless thermal screening machines and what they can do for your business.

How Does a Touchless Thermometer System Work?

Touchless temperature screening systems use advanced thermal imaging to detect infrared rays emitted from a person’s body. These rays indicate heat, and the scanner can convert that reading into a temperature measurement. While we typically consider 98.6℉ to be healthy body temperature, the normal range can span from 97℉ to 99℉.

If the scanner senses someone with a temperature above that range, it will release an alert, after which company policy kicks in. Usually, a high temperature indicates a fever, which can be a symptom of infectious disease and is grounds for being sent home. Instead of just an alert, the scanner can also combine with access control systems, so someone physically cannot enter the building without a passing temperature.

While features can vary from system to system, one prominent system offers evaluation times of less than a second and accuracy within 0.3℉. It’s easy to use and offers several safety features.

Here are some of the other features that thermal screening tools can offer:

  • Positioning: Artificial intelligence (AI) can step in to ensure that someone stands in the correct spot for an accurate reading. If someone is too far away or too close, it may give audible instructions or visual cues for the person to step forward or back so they are in the optimal spot for a reliable measurement.
  • Fast response times: Systems can provide a pass/fail result in under a second — 300 milliseconds (ms), to be specific. This is a fast response in the world of no-touch thermometers. Employees and customers can spend less time being screened and more time working, shopping or doing whatever it is they came to your facility to do.
  • Accurate results: If you’re wondering how accurate infrared thermometers are on humans, the answer is “very.” Reputable instruments can provide temperatures within 0.3℉. With more accurate measurements, you can avoid false results and trust that the people who pass are within a safe range. automated temp screening system
  • Mask checks: In addition to scanning for temperatures, you can also check if someone is wearing a mask and remind them to put one on if needed.
  • Clear alerts: Whether someone passes or fails the scan, an audible sound will play, along with a visual display. You can be on alert for employees or customers who fail the scan and send them away if needed.
  • Completely contact-free operation: With a contactless system, no one has to operate the scanner and everyone can stay far apart from each other. It is easy to use, so you shouldn’t need to provide much background information, if any, for people to understand it. Without an explanation, you can reduce the need for contact with another person.
  • Record-keeping: With an evolving landscape of health guidelines and requirements, it always helps to keep information on file. You can maintain data complete with images, temperature readings and other data points.

What Are the Benefits of an Automated Temperature Screening Machine?

As we’ve mentioned, you’ll see several types of benefits from fever screening thermal solutions, including improvements to efficiency, safety, costs and security, as well as employee and customer satisfaction. With these tools, you can:

  • Enhance safety: Of course, by barring high-temperature individuals from entering the building, you prevent whatever germs they’re carrying from entering, too. It keeps healthy individuals from exposure to infection and helps to identify when someone shows a symptom they might not have been aware of. In addition, you can require masks before allowing entry, so you’ll encourage safe practices during the screening process.
  • Minimize invasive or obtrusive practices: Traditional screening, with an infrared temperature “gun” pointed at someone’s forehead, can be obtrusive or upsetting. When used on employees, it can feel like they’re being challenged every time they walk into their shift, and customers have even less of an incentive to deal with it. With a display-based scan, it feels more like getting their picture taken. It is a much friendlier, appealing process for everyone.
  • Reduce human contact: Other screening practices may involve having another employee or supervisor take someone’s temperature. That adds another person into the mix and can further the spread of germs for both the operator and the person being scanned. A fully automated system eliminates this extra contact.
  • Save on labor: If you’ve got a supervisor scanning every employee or a receptionist scanning all of your clients, it likely takes a lot of time out of their day. They might spend half of their shift just operating a thermal temperature scanner. An automated system gives that time back, so employees can spend time working, not scanning.

Can the System be Used for Access Control?

Thermal temperature scanners can link up to access control systems for extra security, safety and automation.

Access control systems can automatically let people into the building or provide access to resources only after successful verification of body temperature and facial recognition. It can help you further secure your facility, so only healthy people can enter. You can also use it to restrict access if your employees and customers aren’t wearing masks.

Temperature screenings are the perfect tool to link up facial recognition. Systems offer plenty of room for most businesses to incorporate their facial identification system. With a library of up to 22,400 faces and over 100,000 records, you can match each employee against your database before they can enter. Only authorized personnel with an acceptable body temperature will pass the screening.

Incorporating access controls with automated temperature screening allows you to:

  • Be more efficient: An all-in-one approach is quick, and you can even use this feature as a time clock, rolling multiple steps into one to save time and boost efficiency. Face recognition can occur within 500 ms and make this a speedy process.
  • Reduce face-to-face contact: Using automated temperature screening can help to modify traditional security procedures in the wake of illness outbreaks and reduce personal contact. Maybe you normally have a security guard grant access upon visual confirmation of someone’s identity, or perhaps a manager has to let someone in the building. An automated temperature screening machine that controls access can remove this person-to-person contact and free up other workers’ time.

Where Can the System be Installed?

No-touch thermal temperature scanners are excellent in a wide variety of settings. Any place that has a lot of individuals going in and out or gatherings of multiple people and wants to prevent the spread of viruses can benefit from this technology. The necessity of scanning applies to both employees and customers, so you can focus on keeping everyone safe and set up your scanner where it will be most convenient.

Some of the places that use touchless temperature screen systems include: temp scanning system in use

  • Medical and dental offices
  • Long-term living or care facilities
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Retail stores
  • Banks
  • Hotels
  • Offices
  • Restaurants
  • Salons
  • Government services like the post office and the Department of Motor Vehicles

Of course, this list is just a small example of where no-touch thermometers work well. In the changing health needs of today’s world, automated temperature screening would be a smart move in nearly any location where more than a few people could gather.

As far as physical placement goes, thermal temperature scanners are quite versatile. They come as a stand-alone unit that you can place wherever necessary, whether that’s on a counter or a stand. Both types of stands come in professional, decorative options. Some businesses choose to place them at the entrance or near a counter where an employee can inform customers what to do if needed, but it is still an unattended system, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it staffed at all hours.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does have a few suggestions for placing non-contact infrared thermometers. They say you should place the scanner:

  • In a draft-free space.
  • Outside of direct sunlight.
  • Away from radiant heat sources.
  • In an environment between 60.8℉ and 104℉ and with relative humidity below 85%.
  • In its location 10-30 minutes before using it.

With a display that is dust and water-resistant, you have a lot of freedom in where you can place the system, so you can find somewhere that works in your company’s unique layout. The 7-inch HD screen provides real-time feedback, too, so you can readily see what the camera sees and adjust the position as needed. Just remember that while it is water- and dust-resistant, it is not weatherproof, and direct sunlight can add heat, so the best placement is indoors.

How the System Can Protect Customers and Employees

For the most part, people don’t knowingly put others at risk. Unfortunately, many viruses and bacteria don’t present themselves with symptoms until several days or weeks after the initial infection. Asymptomatic people can bring illness around with them everywhere they go, exposing each person they run into.

Depending on the methods of transmission, we may need to take different approaches to stay healthy and keep those around us healthy. Transmission can occur in several different ways, such as:

  • Direct contact: Touching other infected individuals.
  • Indirect contact: Touching an object previously touched by an infected individual.
  • Droplet contact: Coming into contact with droplets emitted from an infected individual from activities like coughing and sneezing. These droplets only stay in the air for short distances, so a distance of about 6 feet is typically recommended.

There are other transmission methods, of course, but these three are some of the most prevalent, and a no-touch temperature screener bypasses them by eliminating touching the device and keeping the person away from contact with another human.

A fever is a common first symptom of illness, and people may not even be aware of it if they have one. Screening for body temperature and appropriate mask practices is an excellent way to reduce the risk of infected persons entering your facility and spreading viruses to others. There are several types of screening, but currently, body temperature is one of the most relevant and widely used approaches.

Touchless temperature screening systems are one of the best methods to reduce contact between people in your facility. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends implementing screening practices in many locations as a way to limit the spread of germs.

Why Use Touchless Thermal Screening?

According to the FDA, non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) may help reduce cross-contamination and the risk of spreading diseases, as opposed to traditional infrared thermometers. They are easy to clean and use, making them accessible and safe for many people, not just trained medical professionals. NCIT, however, often refers to a thermometer that uses infrared but must be operated by a person, which is less safe and pulls staff away from their work.

The biggest issue with traditional NCITs is that the operator must bring the thermometer relatively close to the person being scanned, usually within a few inches. They may be too close to maintain appropriate safety and social distancing measures. Even with proper personal protective equipment, this puts both parties at unnecessary risk. With an automated, touchless temperature screening machine, there is no other human involved. There isn’t even an item to touch. It is fully contactless, allowing workers and customers to abide by social distancing and stay safer.

safe space contactless scanning system

Another bonus with an automated system is that it can detect temperatures over a larger part of the body, typically the head and face. The NCIT, on the other hand, just measures a specific point on the forehead. The touchless system also enables other features such as mask detection and face recognition.

With a convenient piece of technology like this available, you can show your clients and customers that you take their safety seriously and that you are committed to doing your part in slowing the spread of diseases.

Keep Employees and Customers Safe

Whether you run a large warehouse with strict security measures or a small office with just a few employees, an automated temperature screening system is an excellent way to keep illnesses out of your workplace. It can help you avoid unsafe screening practices by completely eliminating a second person. Plus, it can make your employees and customers feel safer and more confident that they are in a healthy work environment.

How to Implement a CCTV System

CCTV system in office

Whether you manage a large or small organization, your facility’s physical security should always be a top priority — after all, your building houses a range of valuable assets in need of protection, including equipment, merchandise, business data, customer records and more.

In order to protect your organization’s assets, minimize liability, and create a safer environment for your staff members and guests, you need to keep track of the people who enter and events that take place in your building. Security personnel can’t monitor every corner of your business at once, but a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system can. Learn more about how CCTV can protect your business and how to implement it effectively below.

 Make A CCTV System Work For You

CCTV is a form of video surveillance businesses and other organizations use to monitor activity inside and outside their locations. The components of a CCTV system include security cameras, display monitors, video recorders, remote access, and storage devices. When connected wirelessly or using cables, these components  allow you to watch live or recorded security footage to identify individuals, track access to sensitive areas, and catch suspicious activity.

Advanced analytics can also trigger alerts for things like: loitering, people counting, objects removed or left behind, and can generate heat maps to show foot-traffic patterns.

In addition to deterring and documenting crime, a CCTV system can also help increase safety for workers and guests in the event of an emergency by providing an accurate count of the number of people on-site.

Planning a CCTV System for Your Location

A CCTV system may appear simple at first glance — cameras transmit video to display monitors, and video recorders store footage for later viewing. However, if you want to make a CCTV system effective, you need to consider more than where you want the cameras pointing. To get the most value for your investment, you need to create a plan tailored to your organization’s unique security concerns and your building’s layout.

You can plan a CCTV system on your own or work with a professional. Either way, you will need to take a variety of factors into account, including:

  • Your goals for your CCTV system
  • The areas and assets that need protection
  • The equipment best suited to your needs

Establish the System’s Purpose

Organizations decide to install video surveillance systems for a myriad of reasons. Before you can create a plan to implement your new CCTV system, you need to define its overarching purpose. Try to be as specific as possible, thinking about the most pressing security threats your business faces and any flaws in your current CCTV system.

If you identify multiple goals for your system, that’s fine — CCTV can perform many functions. For example, you might decide that you want the system to support security staff by monitoring your location’s waiting room while also reducing the amount of storage space and bandwidth required for operation. Or you may want to see what areas of your facility become congested when people are arriving or departing for the day to help you redesign a physical layout. Foot-traffic monitors can also provide data that helps evaluate the effectiveness of a specific advertisement in relationship to the average foot-traffic within a given space.

Conduct a Thorough Site Survey

A site survey helps you identify threats to your facility and understand current infrastructure as it relates to CCTV. During a site survey, look for areas that need additional security and take note of the space’s physical conditions and limitations such as existing equipment, cabling, lighting, and camera mounting options. 

If you’re not sure which parts of your facility require CCTV, consider the locations of your business’ assets and any possible threats they face. Potential sites of interest could include:

  • Building perimeters
  • Waiting areas and lines
  • Parking lots
  • Driving and walking gates
  • Building entrances
  • Emergency exits
  • Hazardous areas
  • IT rooms
  • Financial Processing and Records
  • Stairwells and elevators

Select the Right Cameras

Once you’ve decided where you need CCTV coverage, you can begin filling in the details by choosing the right type of camera for each site of interest. The three main types of cameras you can choose from are single-imager, multi-imager, and pan, tilt, zoom cameras. Single imager cameras give great coverage in a single direction, while multi-imager cameras provide several options for coverage including multiple directions and multiple focal lengths allowing for greater detail at longer distances. Pan, tilt, zoom, cameras are ideal for an active monitoring situation like a guard shack or on duty operator.

You will also need to choose an appropriate resolution for your CCTV cameras. Lower resolution cameras serve as cost-effective tools for general surveillance of an area. However, you may need a camera with a higher resolution if you want the ability to identify specific individuals and increased digital zoom capabilities.

Work With an Expert

Planning a CCTV system installation can feel daunting, especially if you have strict security requirements or a lot of ground to cover. When you work with an expert, you will get a system tailored to your needs.

At Morefield Communications, we have more than 70 years of experience helping organizations protect their assets with integrated physical security solutions. We can implement video surveillance systems skillfully and efficiently to provide the best results. If you’re ready to start planning your CCTV system, reach out to us today.

Designing an Access Control System

building with access control system

When it comes to protecting business assets, physical security plays just as vital a role as cybersecurity. Whether you manage a small business or a large organization, you need strategies for controlling who has access to certain parts of your building. An access control system uses technology solutions that interface with your physical infrastructure to prevent unauthorized access to your building and keep track of who enters sensitive areas.

A robust access control system can protect your organization’s assets from theft and tampering and help create a safer environment for workers and guests. It can also provide an accurate record of authorized access to identify busy areas and traffic flow problems during specific times of the work day. However, you may find it challenging to implement an access control system if the system’s requirements exceed current infrastructure. To build physical security from the ground up, you need to create an access control plan.

Creating Your Access Control Plan

An access control plan is the blueprint for your access control system. It takes into account your organization’s unique security requirements and lays out a comprehensive strategy for addressing them. Your plan might specify the areas you need to secure, the type of verification required, the type of access control hardware you plan to use, the location of the equipment, and who will monitor and manage the system after installation.

After planning an access control system, you will have a clear understanding of your security risks. You will also understand how to implement an access control system that meets your needs. Let’s take a closer look at some strategies you can use to begin the planning process.

Assess the Situation

Before you can create an access control system, you need to know how your current security structure is performing. Some questions to ask yourself at this stage of planning include:

  • What type of credentials do authorized employees receive?
  • Can you ensure there are no duplicate IDs?
  • How much does your current system cost?
  • Can you strengthen your current system by upgrading it?
  • Which assets might be at risk under your current system?
  • Who has access to sensitive areas of your campus?
  • Who is managing your access control system?

Note that your organization likely possesses assets beyond physical equipment like computers. Business data, patient records, client records, and employee information all need protection, as well.

Observe the Environment

Some businesses hold employees to strict standards, while others conduct business in a more open manner. There’s nothing wrong with having a relaxed work culture, but you should keep this attitude from extending to security where it matters.

To see what training and culture changes might factor into your access control plan, observe the behavior of employees on a normal day. Security concerns occur when employees do things like: holding the door for others without verifying employment status, prop open locked doors for convenience, and allow guests to easily bypass the reception desk.

Conduct a Site Survey and Security Audit

Before  purchasing an access control system, you should conduct a formal site survey and security audit, or hire an expert to complete these examinations for you. This process involves performing a walk-through of your facility to identify threats and assess the risk to your business. During an audit, you should consider:

  • Gaps in mechanical security: Access control devices cannot secure your facility if the doors have mechanical weaknesses. Ensure the doors and frames are in good condition and the key system provides adequate security.
  • The value of your assets: Total the value of your business’s assets, including any liability or loss of productivity that could occur if the asset is stolen or damaged.
  • The level of threat: Determine whether security threats originate inside or outside your organization and identify any changes near your facility that could increase security risks, such as recent business closures.

During a site survey, you will also learn what factors, if any, limit the type of access control system you can install. For example, the age of your building may make it expensive or hazardous to install traditional wired access devices.

Ensure Compliance With Codes and Regulations

Your new access control system must comply with all applicable building codes and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101). Keep regulatory requirements in mind as you create your access control plan.

Putting Your Access Control System Plan in Place

Once you’ve created your access control plan, it’s time to install access control equipment, issue new ID to employees, and address other gaps identified in your plan. To implement your system properly and efficiently, consider working with Morefield Communications. With more than 70 years of experience, we can provide a proven solution tailored to your needs. To learn more about our physical security services, contact us online today.

On-Demand Webinar: Untapped Tools of your Status Solutions System

Join Morefield Communications’ expert as we explore the additional system tools that you may not currently be taking advantage of.

This free webinar is presented by our own Morefield expert, Andy Burton. Andy has been integral in the implementation and deployment of countless Status Solutions systems. He is well known in many care facilities for his wealth of knowledge, enjoyable attitude and true dedication to his work.

 

Request more information on SARA and Status Solutions Systems today – Click Here!

 

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