A CCTV camera on a table

5 Factors to Consider in Selecting Access Control Systems

Published on : April 17, 2020

What are the factors to consider in selecting access control systems?

  1. Location
  2. Density of activity
  3. Establishment needs
  4. System cost
  5. Ease of use

 

When it comes to limiting the entry and exit of an individual in any given place, security is at the top of the fore. Comprehensive security measures need to be put in place in order to prevent instances of theft and other kinds of criminal activities from taking place. Systems that make this possible are those that use access control. Before you invest in this kind of security, you undoubtedly have to consider many factors in selecting access control systems. Not only do you have to think about the tools and objects required, but you also have to consider the location of your establishment as well as the level of activity in any given area.

Simply put, the purpose of these systems is to provide entrance into any kind of establishment for anyone who possesses the right kind of credentials. Access control systems are slowly and carefully allowing establishments to do away with traditional forms of ensuring security such as the deadbolt lock and key.

Continue reading to learn more about the factors you should look out for when it comes to investing in access control.

Location

An electrician installing a CCTV camera

One factor you have to keep in mind when choosing to incorporate access control into your establishment is the location of the building proper. For example, if your building is located in areas close to retail hubs, restaurants, banks, market areas, or transport terminals, your building might become more exposed to different forms of theft.

Apart from deciding on the kind you want to install in the building, you’d also have to think about its coverage. It should be able to ensure that the building’s management will be able to conduct a wider and more complete security monitoring.

Because of the high density of foot traffic around the building area, controlling and monitoring the flow of individuals at any given time may become a challenge. When improving the level of access control, you may want to invest in more clear-image closed-circuit television systems or install turnstile security prior to the building entrance.

Density of Activity

A crowd of people

Before investing in access control, you also have to be able to determine whether or not your establishment is characterized as having a high density of activity. This is with regard to the number of people walking in on any given day. Large-scale hotels, motels, and other kinds of accommodation providers are just some of the spaces wherein large groups of people might enter anytime. In other instances, retail spaces and banks would also greatly benefit from incorporating this kind of high-level security.

A dedicated access control system should be able to properly and accurately monitor the number of people entering the premises without causing any kind of convenience to the customers. The system should also be highly-efficient, in that it prevents instances of failed identification reading.

Establishment Needs

A man scanning his keycard to enter the car park

It won’t be difficult to imagine that different kinds of establishments have different needs with regards to putting security measures in place. In particular, areas where sums of money are stored would likely put in place highly-digitized and more heightened security measures to prevent the entry of non-qualified personnel. If you’re a manager of a bank, you may want to have more security cameras installed in strategic locations in these kinds of areas.

Another security measure you can adopt is by implementing a keycard system. This is in order to limit the entry and exit in this part of your establishment to only those who possess the proper credentials.

Meanwhile, if you’re the manager of a retail space, you may also want to invest in physical security implements near counters to help you avoid instances of theft.

System Cost

Biometric Scanner

Another consideration in choosing access control is the entire cost of the system. It’s typically understood that owners of smaller-scale businesses and medium-sized enterprises would likely invest in low-cost security without compromising on the aspect of effectiveness. They wouldn’t have the same requirements as that of a bank that needs to be highly secured because of its nature.

Furthermore, not all kinds of access control systems are priced the same. For example, biometric security is typically more expensive to procure compared to CCTV systems. You also wouldn’t want to go overboard when it comes to enforcing security measures. What this simply means is that you wouldn’t want to spend an exorbitant amount of cash investing in access control which would eventually be rendered underutilized by your establishment.

Ease of Use

Two security personnel reviewing CCTV footage

Finally, you should highly consider the ease of use when it comes to accessing data from your access control systems.

Technological advancements have made possible the integration of information in a singular and well-organized data center. In making decisions about how you can improve the overall level of security in your area, you would need to be able to formulate data-driven decisions emanating from your access control. For this reason, you don’t want to invest in an overly-complicated system which can make things even more difficult for your business.

Fortunately for you, the simplicity of a system doesn’t mean that it compromises on the very job that it’s been set out to do. You can be sure to adopt a kind of system which can easily be migrated into your business’s functions and can be used by every one of your employees.

Key Takeaway

 

Whether you want to improve the level of access control in your establishment or you’re just starting out on a new one, it would be advantageous for you to determine the factors in selecting access control systems before investing.

While there is no such thing as too much security, you should highly consider if the type of access control you’d want is something that will be fully maximized by your organization. Make sure you’re also thinking about financial outcomes just as much as security outcomes.