Access Control Systems Add Additional Security To Your Business

A few weeks ago, we discussed access control cards and what to look for in an access control system. Today, we will explore the benefits of an access control system.

An access control system has many benefits to your employees and your company. An access control system:

• Restricts unauthorized entry
• Limits employee access
• Controls building security schedules

Some people believe that access control systems are for sophisticated businesses and corporations such as hospitals and large pharmaceutical firms, but these systems are beneficial to all types of businesses.

With access control cards, businesses can authorize only certain employees to gain access to different parts of the building. This in turn protects sensitive company documents and resources.

Other benefits include:

• Access control cards control employee and visitor access
• Access control systems schedule time and areas by user authority level
• Access control systems allow you to add, modify or delete employee profiles without delay
• Access control cards can be customized to include employee photo identification badges
• Access control systems’ design allow for easy system expansion
• Access control systems allow you to remotely manage the system from multiple locations
• Access control systems allow you to easily view and print system activity reports

When selecting an access control system, be sure you work with a security company that can offer comprehensive services, performance guarantees, outstanding client care and technical support.

Are Access Control Cards Best For Your Business Security Solution?

When evaluating business security systems, you will want to consider your access control systems options. Access control systems are critical in creating a safe workplace environment.

It may be hard to believe, but it is much easier for someone to steal something out of your office during the day than at night.

During the day, the office must remain open, so employees can freely enter and exit the office. Unlocked doors present an opportunity for thieves to steal valuable employee belongings as well as important documents critical to business operations. An access control system keeps entrances securely  locked during the day.

Many businesses issue access control cards to their employees. With an access control system, doors remain securely closed until an employee positions their access control card near the sensor.

Access control cards are excellent for large and small businesses. Here are some things to find out before pursuing an access control system:

• What is the size of your office?
• How many employees do you have?
• How many doors need access control card readers?
• How sophisticated do you want the system to be?

These are just a few of the things you should write down before discussing access control systems with a business security provider. Be sure to work with a company that provides excellent technical support to help you and your employees learn how to use the access control system.

Critical Steps To Choosing A Strong Business Security System

Choosing a business security system can be a difficult and time-consuming process. It requires patience and collaboration among decision makers at your business.

There are several critical steps you need to follow when choosing a business security system.

Step 1: Discussion

• Have a period of time to discuss what type of security you want for your business. Be sure to discuss a budget. Take as much time as you need to talk during the discussion period. You want to have a clear plan of what security needs are most important.

Step 2: Security Cameras

• Discuss with your employees and managers if they would like surveillance cameras. For some, this may be too intrusive. Be sure to discuss locations. You may want cameras outside of your business.

Step 3: Access Control Cards

• Discuss if access control cards are the right fit for your business. Access control systems keep doors locked until an employee uses his or her access control card to remotely open the door. This is a good day-time business security solution.

Step 4: Fire Alarms

• Having a fire alarm is a very important safety feature. You will want to find a company that has good working relationships with fire departments across the country.

Step 5: Security Alarm

• You will need to have a discussion about what type of security alarm you want. Do you want motion detectors, 24 hour monitoring, etc. See what security features best match your business and your budget.

Once you have discussed various business security solutions, you will be able to work with a security system provider to help carry out your business security plan.

A GPS Could Lead a Thief to Your Home

Father’s Day is coming up and you may be purchasing a brand new GPS for Dad for the special day. GPS systems make great gifts but, when you don’t follow certain safety tips, they can also be a great gift for thieves! To help you and your dad get the most out of his new GPS, we’ve put together a few things to watch for when using a GPS to keep your car and home safe.

1. Don’t leave your GPS in your car – Not only are they tempting to steal in and of themselves, they also serve as a treasure map of sorts. A thief can use your GPS to find and access your home – and any valuables inside. Once inside your vehicle, a thief can use your GPS to find your home if you have it saved in your GPS. Once there, he can access your home with your garage door opener.  It’s better to be safe than sorry so take your GPS with you when you leave your vehicle parked somewhere.
2. Wipe suction cup marks off of your windshield glass – Those little suction cup marks on your windshield seem so innocuous but they can tip off a thief that you have a GPS and it may be hidden in your car. If you followed step one, it’s not in there but if you have it hidden, the thief could find it and use it to access your home. And, even if you didn’t hide it in your car, you may still suffer damage due to a break in. So, keep some wipes in your car and take care of those telling suction cup marks.
3. Don’t name your home preset “home” – There’s no place like Starbucks! Well, maybe there is but, in this case, you should name your home preset something other than home, like the name of a nearby business. That way, should a thief access your GPS, he won’t know where home is so, unless he just borrowed your GPS to find a cup of coffee, he won’t be able to gain access to your house.
4. Lock the door from your garage to your house – We hope that a thief never gets this far but, just in case everything else goes wrong and a crafty thief manages to use your GPS and car to get into your garage, he won’t be able to access your house.
5. Arm your alarm system – When all else fails, if a thief manages to access your home, your home alarm system going off should definitely deter an invader. Make sure that your alarm system is set whenever you are away.

With a little care, a GPS can be a great tool for Dad and not a tool for a thief.

Stop Employee Theft Now

Employee theft can be a major cost for companies of all sizes. Between physical theft of merchandise and cash, under ringing, bad customer service, and employees not doing what they are supposed to, you might be losing a lot more than you think each month.

While it can never be stopped entirely, there are some business security solutions you can do to immediately stop most employee theft. They include:

Conduct thorough background checks before hiring people. Background checks may cost a little bit but when you consider how much a stealing employee can cost you later down the line, the cost is tiny.

Develop strict financial procedures. Have a plan in place for minimizing risk from cash receipts, accounts payable, bank transactions, store credit, and refunds and returns. Your accountant can be a major help in this process.

Spend time “on the floor.” Leave your office and regularly interact with and monitor your employees’ activities. Your presence will help deter theft while also allowing you to detect potential issues.

Restrict access to sensitive areas. Not all employees need access to the security sensitive areas of your business. Use access control systems to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering important locations.

Use good camera surveillance systems. Good well maintained security systems can significantly cut down on employee theft and help to prosecute those who steal anyways. Place cameras anywhere that your employees are handling money or inventory and closely monitor the recording for issues.

Access Control Systems – What are they?

Access Control Systems – What are they?

Many people make the assumption that Access Control and Security systems are the same thing. This is not the case. Security Systems only control unwanted access. Access control systems also provide access to personnel that are allowed to enter the premises.

By being the first thing that your employees encounter when coming to work the access control system sends the message to the employee that there is an attempt at providing a safe work environment.

Access Control Systems are an Automatic Gate keeper that provides all of the following without security personal:

• Keep unwanted people from entering secure areas
• Provide access to restricted areas
• Provide audit trails to critical areas with complete documentation of who, when,
• And where entries were made.
• Provides a complete database of all employees and their movements throughout the day

Access control systems work with the following devices:

• Proximity Cards
• Key card
• Swipe Cards
• Keyfob

More advanced systems offer fingerprint and retina scanning devices. These types of systems require that the person physically be there and eliminates the reduced security by users exchanging cards.

Access Control Systems give the business owner the ability to control multiple areas of entry. A keycard can be programmed for a user to allow entry to particular areas while excluding access to other areas. This can all be accomplished via a computer interface. There is no need to have the user get a new card because they are now allowed or excluded from critical areas.

In the event of a user being terminated there keycard access can be revoked whether they turn in their keycard or not.

Access Control Systems can also provide another added value. Many larger companies’ especially International companies have a high number of employees. Access Control Systems can track attendance and automatically work with payroll systems to avoid hard copies and manual calculations.

If loss of inventory poses a problem the access control systems can help with that too. When access control systems are integrated with 24 hour surveillance you can see who and what is leaving your location.

Hue and Cry can evaluate your business to see if an access control system is right for you. Give us a call today – 800-762-3196

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