5 Best Access Control Systems To Keep Your Business Safe

Collaborative post

An access control system does precisely as prescribed: it controls who has access to certain areas in your business. This system is one of the most fundamental security implementations a business needs - it’s the sole way to ensure unwanted or uninvited guests don’t sneak their way onto your premises.

You might not see this as an alarming issue, but it can be. If the wrong people walk into your office, there’s no telling the harm they can do. People can steal things from your workplace, take photos of sensitive data or plans, and so on. You put yourself, your business, and your employees under threat.

What access control systems do you currently use? If you can’t think of an answer, then you need to upgrade your security with some of the best access control systems described below:

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PIN Code Access Control System

Some of you may already use a system like this, and that’s great! PIN Code access control devices work well and are reasonably secure. They’re not the most secure system - and you’ll see why in a moment - but they do a fine job of determining who has access to where.

How does a PIN Code system work?

A special number pad connects to a lock that stays closed until the right PIN Code is entered. You can place this at the front door of your building or on the door leading to your office space. Some businesses also use PIN Codes to secure specific rooms within an office or commercial location, like a server room, chemical cleaning products room, etc.

Regardless, the only people with access to these rooms are those who know the PIN Code. Give it to the necessary people to prevent randomers from trying to get inside. The primary issue with this access control system is that loads of people know the same code. This makes it slightly easier for someone outside of your workplace to learn about the code. Counter this by changing the code every month for better security.

Card/Fob Access Control Systems

Instead of needing to type in a special code every time you want to enter the office, you could use a card/fob system. It beats PIN Codes for convenience, though there are doubts about its security benefits.

How does a card/fob system work?

Every employee receives a special card or fob that emits a signal when placed against a reader. The reader links to a lock, and if it detects the right signal, it opens the door. Again, you can use this in all the same places as a PIN Code access control system, but without the annoyance of remembering codes and changing them monthly.

It’s clearly an easier system for everyone to use, but it has two clear problems:

What if someone forgets their card/fob?
What if a card/fob gets lost or stolen?

Employees who forget their fob will need to be allowed in by someone else. It’s a bit annoying, but you should be able to clarify if someone is an employee or not! The bigger problem is when someone loses their card/fob. They’re easier to steal than passcodes, so it won’t take much planning for a thief to sneakily steal an access card from someone on the train or bus home.

Biometric Access Control Systems

What if there was an access control system with more security than PIN Codes and more convenience than cards/fobs? It’s the ideal solution - and this is where biometric access control systems enter the room.

How does a biometric system work?

These systems rely on a specific technology called biometrics. This uses physical attributes and stores them in a database to control who has access to different parts of a building. Commonly, biometric access control systems will use fingerprints, palm prints, or retina scans. An individual walks up to the access control point, scans a specific thing, and is allowed in if their biometrics match those on the database.

You’ll need to scan all of your employee's biometrics to create this database, but then it works like unlocking your phone with a fingerprint or Face ID. This approach is super convenient and also the most secure way of managing access. The whole point of biometrics is that they can’t be replicated, so you’ll never worry about someone managing to sneak passed your access control security.

License Plate Recognition Access Control Systems

All of the previous access control systems refer to letting people into your building or specific parts of an office. This is an essential security step, but access control can start ahead of this in your parking lot with license plate recognition software.

How does a license plate recognition system work?

Very simply, a camera with a scanner detects and scans the license plate of every vehicle that drives into your parking lot. You can use this scanner with a barrier that will raise if the plate matches those in your system. Much like the biometrics approach, you’ll need to log all of your employee’s license plates ahead of time. If a number plate doesn’t match one in the database, then the vehicle won’t be allowed in unless you manually approve it.

The only caveat with this approach is that your employees need to ensure they update the database when they get a new car - or include two number plates if they drive two cars.

Vehicle Permit Access Control Systems

You could go down a slightly similar route with a vehicle permit access control system. It’s more affordable and less advanced than license plate scanners, so it only really suits businesses with a tight security budget.

How does a vehicle permit system work?

Each employee receives a permit/card that they scan at a vehicle access control point before going into the parking lot. Correct permits are identified and raise the barrier. It’s simple but raises the same security concerns as the fob/card internal access control system.

What should you learn from this post? Firstly, many types of access control systems exist and have different pros & cons. Secondly, you need at least one access control system to secure your business and keep it safe. Finally, don’t be afraid to layer different systems with one another to create the safest business and prevent outside threats.

— End of collaborative post —

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