Benefits of access control systems to the security of your business

Although some businesses still rely on a lock and key system to keep their commercial buildings safe and secure, there is an ever-increasing number of business owners that are investing in more sophisticated electronic access control systems to protect their people, property and processes.

As well as improving building security, a commercial access control system can also offer the following benefits:

• Control Access: The level of access can be tailored exactly to meet your commercial need
• Protection: Valuable assets and specific areas can be protected
• Peace of mind: Staff and visitors will feel more secure
• Theft: Incidents of theft will be reduced and more easily investigated
• Compliance: Ability to meet fire and health & safety legislation can be improved
• Energy saving: Access control systems can also be integrated with lighting, heating and cooling systems.
• Data Safety: Prevention of data breaches and health information
• Ease of Access: Employees who need access to several buildings are able to gain access without having lots of keys or access codes.

Building access

Electronic commercial access control systems enable you to restrict and control the flow of people coming in and out of your commercial premises.

Access control systems are very useful when sensitive areas need additional protection. For example, a company may need to have an open and welcoming reception area, but then only allow authorised persons to have access to internal areas.

Some typical examples may include:

• Restricting access to offices, datacentres and IT servers where sensitive data and documents are used or stored
• Children’s nurseries and hospitals where access needs to controlled and drugs and other sensitive or expensive equipment may be located.
• Areas where controlled environments need to be maintained such as government buildings or defence
• Storage areas where hazardous chemicals need to be kept safe and secure

Compliance with legislation

By installing access control systems, you will be able to control who is coming in and out of your building and log their arrival and departure times. This information can be vital intelligence during fire evacuation procedures.

Most access control systems also offer additional features such as the functionality to restrict access to specific areas of your building during set time periods.  Insurers will also like this data as you will be able to produce reports logging the times people have entered and left the building, as well as the areas within the building that they entered.

Energy Saving Functionality

The more advanced access control systems can also be integrated with heating, lighting and computer networks. Therefore, as well as protecting people, property and processes, installing an electronic access control system can also help companies save energy and as areas can be programmed to only turn lights and heating on when they will be occupied.

Types of Access Control Systems

The types of building access control solutions we can supply, install or maintain include:

• Keypad pin number controlled systems
• PC-based control systems
• Fingerprint recognition systems
• Other biometrically controlled systems
• Audio or visual control

Points to consider

There are many different types of access control system, so it is important to consider your individual needs and the level of security you need to enforce.

Like most things, each system has some pro’s and con’s that may influence your decision.

For most businesses, a simple key card access control access system will suffice. But just like a set of keys, the keycard can be lost or mislaid. There is also the temptation for staff to share cards with colleagues, which can mean reports on who is in the building can be misleading.

Another popular option is the pin number and keypad entry system, but again these are open to abuse if the pin code is divulged to someone without the proper authority.

Biometric systems are more secure as they rely on unique identifying features such as retina or fingerprint recognition.

System Administration

It is also wise to consider how access control will be administered. Most electronic access control systems have 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. This means that each employee can have its access rights tailored 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.

How can Tecserv UK help?

Tecserv UK is accredited by SSAIB and SafeContractor and holds distributor agreements with most major manufacturers. We are therefore fully trained to install and maintain the full range of electronic access control systems and have a nationwide team of engineers available to support you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Electronic access control is the most efficient way of securing your building and assets whilst remaining convenient. If you are considering installing an access control system in your business premises, or would like to discuss how Tecserv UK can help to maintain your current system, why not call us for a free, no obligation discussion. We will help you review your risks and suggest the most cost-effective solution.