Did you know that retail businesses are roughly ten times more likely to be burglarized than residential homes? It’s not the simple breaking-and-entering case you need to worry about.
Today, threats can come in the form of dishonest employees, cybercriminals and sneaky competitors. Maybe that’s the reason why workplace crime costs United States Businesses roughly fifty billion dollars every year.
One security solution to this problem is the installation of an access control system.
But what is access control?
In this article, we’ll explain what advanced security tech is and why it can help protect your business, employees and customer information. Let’s get started!
What Is Access Control Security System?
An access control security system manages and restricts the flow of people that enter into a building. To gain access to these areas employees must use electronic devices. These devices vary depending on the complexity of the system.
They can include things like key cards, passwords, PINs, biometrics, and mobile devices.
These access control systems are often used by large corporate buildings that require adequate amounts of crowd control and varying levels of employee access. However, the declining price of the systems now makes them more viable for small businesses and large residences.
These systems can be as simple as an employee-only system, or as complicated as multiple security access levels.
In this day and age, it’s important to protect certain sectors that may hold confidential data — especially if it holds compromisable customer or industry information.
Access control systems can also help track the people that enter through a door. This helps you both monitor security and log hourly data information on your employees. So, how do you know if you need an access control security system?
What Types of Businesses Should Use Access Control Security?
Gone are the days when a simple lock and key will protect your business. You must realize that as an owner you face both internal and external criminal threats. An access control security system can help you address these threats.
But what businesses are these systems best for?
As we mentioned before, these installations are excellent at managing crowd control in large, corporate buildings. If a company wants to restrict access to certain employees or the public, then these systems are an excellent solution.
As such, it works great for government buildings, data holding centers, warehouses, airports, and hospitals. However, an access control security system also works well for smaller businesses that want to track their employee activity.
Do you suspect an employee is coming in early or checking out late? If you answered yes, then you should consider investing in one of these systems.
Why Should You Consider Investing In An Access Control System
Are you still unsure if you need an access control system for your place of business? We understand — after all the security add-on is quite an investment.
However, it’s important to remember that the system comes with multiple benefits that can save you a lot of money and headaches if you install it early.
If you want a quick crash course on the different components of an access control security, then click this link here.
1. No Duplicate Keys
Making duplicates of your business’s keys for new employees not only costs you money, but it also poses a dangerous security risk to your business.
If an angry employee decides to quit or rob the business, then they still possess a key to enter, steal and vandalize your property. You can rekey all of your locks, but this only costs more money.
Even a model employee can compromise the security of the building if they lose the key or have it stolen. An access control security system removes the need for duplicate keys.
All you need to do is provide a key card, or give the necessary log-in information to the new employee. If you do have an altercation with a problem employee, then you can immediately deactivate their keycard or change the passwords.
2. No One Can Access The Building Without Your Knowledge
If you don’t have an access control security system, then you have no idea who’s entering your building. If you keep expensive or sensitive things in your place of business, then someone could be accessing them without your knowledge.
Luckily, the system not only helps you detect who enters but also the time. If you suspect some employees may use the building after official hours, then this is a good way to prevent it in the future.
When you combine it with video cameras you can also learn the identity of multiple people entering or unauthorized intruders who are burglarizing you.
3. Prevent Employee Theft or Negligence
Did you know that roughly 52% of employees admit to stealing company property — and that’s just the people who admit it!
As tough as it is to face, employers must realize that their employees — even the ones they trust — can pose a serious security risk to their business. There is no 100% effective solution to protect against these types of internal threats.
However, an access control security system can prevent theft by restricting certain employees and shutting down the building after hours. Unfortunately, distrustful employees aren’t the only ones you need to worry about.
An honest employee can compromise your business through accidental negligence. If the last employee out forgets to lock the door on a property without an access control security system, then they give thieves an easy opening to walk right in.
Luckily, these types of systems present this problem by offering an automated failsafe.
4. No One Will Get Locked Out
Commercial properties that still operate with a lock and key system will often inconvenience their employees who need access to the building.
Imagine an employee arrives to work early and finds that the person who arrives with the key is late. They must wait around to be let in, and in the case of inclement weather, this can be dangerous.
Even people with keys can sometimes get locked out. If you leave something in your car and run out to get it you can easily forget your office keys.
No one likes being locked out of their building, so an access control security system helps make sure the problem never occurs. With mobile, password or biometric entry you eliminate the need for remembering keys. Just don’t forget the password!
5. Save Costs On Rekeying
If you need to rekey a lot of doors because an employee lost their key or refused to give it back after termination, then it can quickly get expensive. Depending on the company you go with it can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Luckily, the access control security systems eliminate the need for rekeying, since you can deactivate key cards and change passwords at a whim. In the long run, this will save you a lot of money, so it’s best to invest early on.
6. Allows For Individualized Schedules
Imagine that you hire an after-hours janitor to clean your building once the workday is over. Instead of handing a lower-level employee a key to your entire business, you can just schedule entry for them at a specific time.
This helps eliminate a security threat and adds convenience to the cleaning staff’s day. An access control security system work great at making the maintenance of your building and schedule of your employees more flexible than the traditional nine to five.
7. Track Entry Data
A quality access control security system can also help you track important entry data related to employees. For example, you can note all the instances that an employee is early or late to work.
If you notice a pattern or a recurrence in the data, then you can reward or reprimand them appropriately. In this way, the system makes your business more effective by identifying slackers and model employees.
8. Stricter Control On Sensitive Areas
Any area of your business that holds confidential projects, research, data or products needs to be secure with an access control security system. This feature is especially important for businesses that work in data centers or computer networks.
These areas are susceptible to cybercriminals. In 2019, 164.7 million sensitive personal identifying documents were released into the public sphere.
Many of these breaches come from internal employees who understand the systems they programmed.
If you want to keep the trust of your customers, then you must protect any information they give you. Otherwise, you will pay for it with bad press and reviews.
9. More Automation Means Less Work and More Energy Savings
An access control security system that runs on full automation also streamlines the effectiveness of your business. You don’t need to wake up early in the morning to get the doors open by 8:00 in the morning — simply use your phone.
So, not only does the product improve your security, but it also makes your life easier.
Advanced systems can detect when someone is in certain parts of the building and adjust the heating and lighting settings to accommodate the people who need them. This saves you a lot of wasted money on your monthly energy bills.
Other Ways To Secure Your Home and Business
An access control security system is an important step toward securing your commercial property. But, it’s not perfect. Luckily, if you use it in unison with several other security precautions, then you have a much better chance of preventing any crime from happening.
CCTV Cameras
CCTV cameras provide the benefit of surveillance on your property — it helps you monitor the identity of whoever comes and goes. However, it also helps provide some less obvious benefits.
For example, the mere presence of a video camera helps dissuade criminals from burglarizing a commercial property.
They’re too scared they’ll get caught. If you want to learn more about the benefits associated with CCTV cameras, then check out our comprehensive guide.
Light Up Your Building
It’s a well-known fact that well-lit areas make thieves and criminals feel nervous. That’s why cities install public street lights — to make any crime that occurs feel illuminated.
Once you close up your building for the night make sure it remains well lit throughout the night.
Pay attention to certain areas around your property that are darker than others. Consider leaving a light on in these areas, or installing a motion sensor light that activates with movement.
High-Security Locks
While an access control security system does protect against standard unauthorized entry, it isn’t always effective against traditional breaking methods. Quality security locks are the solution to this problem.
The more valuable your products and information is, the more you should invest in the locks that protect them. We recommend grade one high-security locks. They come with pins that can’t be picked and an extra-long screw attached to reinforced plates.
Exterior Security Measures
Doors aren’t the only way criminals can get in a building. Make sure you invest in strong windows that can resist smashing.
Or, you can install an iron fence on the inside of your window that prevents entry even in the cast of a broken window. Fences and warning signs are also effective at dissuading criminals from entering your business.
Need Help With Your Homes or Commercial Security? Call Slim Jim For Help
We hope this article helped you answer the question ‘what is access control?’. If you’re interested in this technology or require any security service, consider calling SlimJim.Me.
We’re a locksmith and security service that provides fully-qualified 24/7 service. We cover everything from the garage door and lock installations, to access control system maintenance and installation.
Of course, we can also help you get into your locked house, car or business. Regardless of your problem or project, we’re here to help you.
Give us a call today so we can get started planning your security project today. You can request our services by following this link here.
