Access Control is everywhere
You’ve probably interacted with access control systems whether or not you’ve realized it—at a government office when licensing a new vehicle, at the hospital while visiting a patient, or maybe at a store when purchasing groceries. Access control systems combine electronic networks with physical hardware to manage security in a wide range of settings. In these examples, access control is used for unlocking public doors during business hours and restricting access to secure areas.
Access control systems improve from traditional key locks in multiple ways, with convenience being the most basic and obvious. With access control, employees can use a single fob or card to access as many areas as needed. Compared to the hassle of managing one or more key rings, this convenience adds up to save time. Supervisors’ efficiency is increased because they can track and manage employees’ access without physical changes to buildings, doors, or keys. Customers experience added convenience with features like time schedules, which ensure consistency by automatically unlocking doors. Convenience, which equates to improved productivity and profits, is only the beginning of the benefits.
Convenience without compromise
Compared to traditional locks, access control systems bring greater convenience without compromising security. They both have some shared risks. In either case, keys or fobs can be lost or stolen. In both, weak locks or doors can be forced. However, with modern access control, these threats are more easily detected and have reduced effects if they occur. This is possible by tracking the entire system including keycard usage and door states. This tracking allows systems to detect and alert events, such as when a door is forced open instead of unlocked. Additionally, if a keycard is compromised, it can quickly be disabled and replaced with minimal cost or effort—unlike a physical key.
Beyond shared risks, a centralized access control system does have some unique electronic risks. These concerns are managed to meet the same safety and security requirements as any other electronic system in your organization. Organizations of all sizes and industries use modern access control systems. This includes those with strict security requirements, such as government and healthcare. ESI has experience meeting the needs of both. You can read more about our solutions for your industry.
We’re just getting started
Besides reduced lifetime cost through the convenience gains and improved security over traditional locks, access control systems have numerous advantages and opportunities. Throughout the rest of this series, we’ll take a deeper look at how they function and how their features can be put to work for you. Access control systems can do far more for your business than you might expect. They can form the backbone of your security in a way traditional key locks can only dream of.
Contact ESI Technologies today to get started with your system!
