What is Access Control?

37 minutes ago

4 min read

When you're busy running your business day to day, it doesn’t take long for traditional keys and locks to become a headache. This is where a solution such as Access Control comes in.

What access control actually does:

Access Control lets you decide who gets into your premises (or specific parts of your premises and certain times) without relying only on traditional keys. Access Control options include:

Fobs
Key cards
PIN pads
Facial Recognition
Biometrics
Mobile Phone Apps
Remote Security Personnel
Door release buttons / triggers

A driving benefit here is the control and security of your property; If someone leaves the business their fob or card can be removed from the system. There’s no need to change locks across the whole site. If staff only need access during certain hours, the system can record this and prevent out-of-hours access.

For many UK businesses their security isn’t just about stopping a break-in after hours. It’s about knowing who can enter, when they can do so and which areas they can reach; especially if you're not there.

Something to consider: Newer systems utilise built-in RFID Control via your mobile phone meaning you won't need to carry a separate card or Fob to access areas, just your phone. How smart is that?

Is Access Control right for you?

Access systems aren’t just for large companies. Smaller premises often benefit the most because one minor security issue can cause a major amount of disruption, imagine losing keys and fronting the cost of a premises-wide lock replacement... or having a locksmith come out on a busy day / out of hours.

Before you push the button, I like to consider the following points:

Are Keys are becoming a problem?

If too many people hold keys it’s hard to know who has access. If a key goes missing then replacing locks can be costly and inconvenient. Electronic entry gives much better control.

Does staff access need to change?

Many businesses have part-time staff, contractors, cleaners, drivers and temporary workers. A controlled system keeps access limited to the right people at the right time.

Are there any sensitive areas on site?

Some areas need to stay restricted and that includes area inside the building. Storage rooms, Accounting offices and server-rooms shouldn't be available to just anyone.

Are you compliant with Insurance or Policy?

Some insurers, customers or industries expect tighter site security. A professionally fitted system can help you to show that security is being properly implemented from the start.

Do you need a record of movement?

Many systems can keep an audit trail of access. This is very helpful when dealing disputes, incidents on site or a need to check who had access at that time.

When a Business Scales, so do the security requirements.

A lot of businesses start with one main door and a few keys. Then they grow; adding staff, storage of goods, constant deliveries and additional units. Before long, those original security plans don't match how the premises is actually used each and every day.

I've worked with Small-Medium business owners for years now and frequently come across situations where an incident has occurred on-site and Access Control becomes the solution to avoiding issues in the future.

My advice to business owners is to really think about where you are and what your growth looks like because you might need a system in place sooner than you think. Key to this is something that is scalable, works seamlessly and protects your interests well into the future as you continue to grow.

What to think about before installing a system

The best solution depends entirely on the building, the doors and how the business operates. Before booking an installation it helps to think through a few basics:

Which doors need control, are there inside spaces to consider too?
Who needs access and what permissions do I need to grant?
When should access be allowed, what does that schedule look like?
Do I need records of entry for auditing or compliance?
How does this fit into my existing security system, is anything else out of date or needing to be improved for future-proofing my business?*

*This is where a proper survey matters. An in-depth observation of the doors, locks, usage and risks can save you a lot of time and expense. Not every door needs the same hardware and not every business needs an overly-engineered system that inhibits movement more than it benefits your security.

Interested in making your premises easier to control?

If keys are getting messy or any of the above points are ringing true to home then Access Control is a sensible next step. The right installation should feel simple to use and be factored around the way your business actually runs.

If you’re based in Kent or elsewhere in the UK and want proper advice before choosing a system, get in touch through Tyton's contact form and book a site visit. A short chat and a look around the building is often all it takes to work out what you need.