If you’re a business that requires a high level of security to control your physical or digital assets, you need an access control system. Access control systems allow businesses to verify the identity of a person before they are allowed access to a physical or digital space. But as with all technology, problems can arise during use.
What are some common issues that businesses have with access control systems?
1. Not Secure Enough
2. Keycards Lack True Authorization
3. Improper Setup
4. Inefficient Management
Even though issues can happen, your company can avoid running into problems with your access control system by maintaining the system regularly and working with a consultant on the system setup. With your access control system working optimally, you can have peace of mind that your business’s assets are safe and secure.
Why Use Access Control Systems
Access control systems are great for businesses that need added security. Access control systems are a better alternative to creating multiple keys to the building — they are an electronic key system that proves identity before entering. They can be used for a single room, an entire building, a lot, and even a digital space.
Businesses that need access systems protect valuable information, equipment, products, and/or all of the above. Many types of businesses can benefit from a high-quality access control system, such as schools, banks, government buildings, law offices, investment firms, and any business that has to comply with federal security regulations.
With access control systems, businesses can create a high amount of security where necessary, ensuring that each person that accesses the area is approved. Business owners can individually assign roles to define the level of access or allow everyone the same amount of access.
Access control systems create an easy-to-use, secured access point to your building or area, and they can also prevent lockouts. Businesses can feel more secure and safe with an access control system that is properly in place to control both digital and physical assets.
Common Issues Businesses Have with Access Control Systems
Just like any technology, access control systems can have some issues. Your access control system may not be secure enough, and access control methods like keycards are lacking in error-free authorization. Access control systems can also be improperly managed or set up, which can cause a wide variety of issues and lower security.
1. Not Secure Enough
Without proper setup, a business’ access control system can have a wide range of vulnerabilities. From easily compromised passwords to poor management and even the use of keycards, businesses can fall short in providing the most secure and optimized access control system.
How to Avoid It
From the start, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable access control system specialist to ensure you are setting up and managing your access control system to its potential. A specialist can help you create a system that sets you up for security success, requiring proper management, extra security practices and policies, attention to detail, and more.
2. Keycards Lack True Authorization
Keycards are a common method of authorization in access control systems among businesses, but there are a few problems that arise when this is the way that you authorize individuals.
First, you simply don’t know that the person swiping the card is the actual person that the card belongs to, so it’s not as true of an authorization strategy as a fingerprint or retinal scanner. Keycards can also easily end up in the wrong person’s pocket, whether it be intentional or accidental.
Keycards are easy to lose, which means that the person who finds a lost keycard can access the secured building or area. It can also be a pain to manage lost keycards, especially if you have a large organization with hundreds or thousands of employees.
How to Avoid It
Keycard authorization can be replaced by other methods of authorization, such as PIN numbers, user IDs, and beyond. Keypads are a great alternative method of authentication, or they can be used in collaboration with keycards. If someone forgets their keycard, they can use a code on the keypad instead.
3. Improper Setup
A business can run into a whole host of problems when an access control system isn’t set up properly. Analyzing your specific needs, making the right choices, and designing the best system for you takes time and expertise. Plus, it should seamlessly integrate with your other business technologies.
Whether it’s not seeing vulnerabilities that have accidentally been exposed, selecting the wrong technology, selecting the wrong equipment, or not properly integrating the access control system with other building technologies, it’s vital that an access control system is set up properly to avoid issues down the road.
How to Avoid It
When it comes to keeping your building or area safe, don’t take it lightly. There needs to be a high level of detail in your access control system plan to ensure that no part of your assets have been exposed and that the system integrates well with your other technologies.
Working with a consultant helps you make the right choices when there are so many you need to make. From choosing the right equipment to designing the system to be easy to use for your purposes, a knowledgeable partner is a key to avoiding improper setup and setting yourself up for success.
4. Lack of Management
To use access control systems properly, businesses need someone who is dedicated to being the manager. The access control system manager plays an important role as the one who is keeping track of visitors in the building or area, managing the roles and levels of access to employees and vendors, managing lost password/identification, managing data, and more.
Additionally, access control systems require regular maintenance and check-ups. If a system or technology is not up-to-date, it can cause issues with the system function — which then compromises security.
How to Avoid It
Businesses should identify a manager for the access control system — ideally from the moment it is implemented. Businesses need systems in place to manage visitor traffic, manage employee and vendor profiles, and manage data.
In addition, equipment and software need to stay up to date, and managers should schedule regular maintenance to ensure the system is operating properly.
Maintaining Your Access Control System
Once it is set up, it’s important to maintain your access control system to ensure it’s operating efficiently and optimally. The last thing you want is to lower your security due to an outdated system or equipment.
The level of security your organization needs to maintain will determine how often you need to schedule a technician to check up on your system. Your system may need to be updated every few years, or you could be looking at only one update every several years. However, if you wait too long to update your system, you could be vulnerable to hackers.
In business, needs change on an ongoing business, so your access control system needs to be updated, too. Whenever you have changing needs, it’s important to work with your access control partner to ensure that your system is parallel to your business.
Design Your Access Control System Today
PTR is your go-to partner for any issues that arise with your access control system. We are here to help you with all of your access control system needs, including system design, setup, maintenance, and more. Let us help you design an access control system that is perfect for your security needs.
Call 404-609-1500 to get in touch with our team today or send us a message to get the conversation started. We look forward to hearing from you and helping provide a better access control solution for your needs.
