With technology accelerating at a faster pace than ever, traditional methods of security must be updated. We can no longer rely on simple padlocks and keys as a means of access control. Here is where an Access Control System, or ACS, can take the guesswork out of your security concerns.
Physical Boundaries
Something as simple as a physical barrier can be your first line of defense against physical threats to your business or home. A gate to parking garages, for example, are an excellent deterrent to anyone who takes a liking to your parked car. Gates offer privacy and security, but electric gates have an added element of ease. If driving, electric gates offer the option of entering or exiting a premise without ever leaving your car especially on bad weather days. There are a variety of gate types to suit anyone’s needs.
How do you make the most of your gate? Physical locks might help deter an unwanted visitor, of course, but they offer no practical solution to actually monitor who comes through the gates. Locks, on the other hand, can be easily broken through brute force. A much more practical approach is through an electric gate fitted with an ACS. Not only will they provide a more user-friendly experience, but they also provide additional security.
Motion sensors, alarms, and even surveillance equipment added to your electric gate act as upgrades beyond a lock and key. Whether used alone or in tandem with other security devices, they are a highly effective way of controlling who enters the premises. A gate can also protect the most precious people at home – your children.
What about locks? Naturally, everyone will need a way to secure their gates. An easy, yet efficient way to do this is through a password or PIN (personal identification number). Passwords or PINs are something only you and employees granted certain access levels, should know. In the case of home security, trusted loved ones might also share your password or PIN. The major upside of using a password or PIN is it is merely something you need to remember to gain access to your work or home.
If you’re looking for something different from a password or PIN, an electronic key card might be a solution for you. Unlike a padlock, a keycard lock cannot be broken in order to force access. In either case, a potential threat is going to need more than a pair of bolt cutters to bypass your ACS.
Heightened Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity means protecting against more than a faceless hacker. Hackers can gain access to your physical data such as paper documents, company devices, and server rooms. The average U.S. business loses over $1 million in 2017 to cyber attacks. A physical security breach can be as damaging as a data breach. An ACS is a vital component of any company’s cybersecurity resources. One of the most important features of an ACS is that it helps monitor and control who enters sensitive areas at your workplace. An ACS at the gate of the workplace and inside the workplace gives companies an edge against physical cyber attacks.
Just like a keycard used to enter a private residence, keycards are frequently used by employees once they enter the job site. In some instances, a keycard is needed to enter the building itself. Building access control allows only those with the proper credentials to set foot inside. For instance, an employee would need either the password, PIN, or keycard to gain entry.
Card access control systems use specialized hardware on doors, sometimes even on the door to enter the building, and an electronic card reader. Only those issued cards with permissions to access a certain area will be able to enter. Sometimes, biometrics are used to gain entry. Biometrics are as simple as a fingerprint scan, or a more advanced method such as retinal scanners. Each approach offers far more security than doors with traditional key locks. Remember, keys can be easily copied, keycards cannot.
Some variations of card access systems provide a log of who entered a particular area using their card, and even provide timestamps each time the card was read. These logs can be valuable for keeping track of how many times an area was accessed, who entered, and when they left. Such knowledge is important for any company that is protecting sensitive data. Sometimes, a cyberattack comes from within the company. A card access control system would be crucial to getting to the bottom of such an attack.
An ACS as an Investment
In the home, an ACS is a single solution to a variety of concerns. Your workplace ACS offers an even broader investment. Building access control systems will ensure no unauthorized individual is entering your workplace, creating a potential distraction to your employees. Even if their purpose is harmless, many jobs are required to be free of distraction. Productivity is at risk if anyone is allowed to wander in and out of the building.
The extra safety provided by an ACS isn’t just for the data you protect. An ACS will help keep everyone in your building safe from outside threats. Anyone attempting to enter the building with nefarious purposes will have to overcome the building access control first. Some systems can also be programmed to allow access to keycard holders only during certain hours. If they attempt to enter outside of those hours, for any reason, they will be locked out. These added features of an ACS can lower the building’s insurance premiums.
An ACS isn’t just for the wealthy either. There are a variety of affordable options for anyone interested in securing their home or business. It is a long term investment that will help save you money and headaches in the future. Whatever your concerns are, the experts at United Fence and Construction Company will help you tailor your Access Control System to your individual needs. Visit www.unitedfencecompany.com to start your journey to security.
