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

How to Assess your Business Security Needs

How to Assess your Business Security Needs

Developing your plan for security requires an understanding of your complete organization so that your security plan can encompass all of the possible breaches to not only the building but the property within. You must also consider the possible breaches from within in the areas of the  building that have financial information, or business records, or cash and checks or worst yet server rooms that are the main brains for your whole organization.  By creating a plan that will include limiting access from within on certain doors or windows to all personnel that have access including vendors, and management you have created another small insurance policy that will pay off if the temptation should present itself.

Most security systems are setup based on an event that has already happened instead of for prevention in the first place.

When a security analysis is performed you must take into account the amount of the expenditure to protect the asset and the actual replacement cost for the asset.

No asset can be completely protected so a foolproof security plan is not the goal. The goal is to have different levels of difficulty for a burglar to breach your security based on the value of the assets that you are protecting. The level of difficulty is based on how much you can afford to lose a particular asset.

Definition of Assets

There must be a complete understanding of the company’s operations including production equipment, operating systems, raw materials and the finished product. Power systems and telecommunication equipment must also be taken into account. It is critical to have a full understanding of the entire scope of operations so that the areas of potential compromise can be isolated.

Each asset should be assigned a level of importance such as:

1. The loss would be insignificant
2. The loss would cause disruption but recoverable
3. The loss would prove to be catastrophic

Identification of Possible Threats

You must compile as much data as possible in order to make a threat assessment for your particular company. First review any past security incidents that you have on record. Where did the security breach occur and what property was lost?

Check crime rates for similar companies across the nation and also check crime rates for your area. As you do your threat analysis you must categorize each with a level of probability of occurrence.

1. Probable – The threat will likely occur
2. Possible – The circumstances are conducive for an event to occur
3. Unlikely – not anticipated

Analyze Your Vulnerability to Possible Threats

You have identified your assets and the possible threats to these assets. Now you must develop a series of obstacles that are designed to make the identified threats less likely to occur. This is most easily done by constructing possible scenarios that a perpetrator may take and what countermeasures could be put into place to lessen the likelihood of these events. Each scenario and the resulting countermeasures must address the level of likelihood that it could actually happen and the level of loss that would be suffered if carried through. Each possible scenario should be constructed with step by step details so that possible countermeasures can be analyzed for cost effectiveness.

Selection of Security Countermeasures

Only by the correct implementation of security measures can your company receive the intended benefit. Security can take many forms including security systems, physical barriers, and security personnel.

Security Systems

1. Intrusion Detection
2. Access Control Systems
3. Surveillance
4. CCTV
5. Duress Alarms
6. Intercoms and Public Address Systems

Physical Barriers

1. Vehicle Barriers
2. Fences and Gates
3. Vaults and Safes
4. Lighting
5. Landscaping

Security Personnel

On site security personnel duties are varied but usually include the operation of electronic systems, fixed post duties and roving patrols. Security personnel usually are trained to observe and report.

A professional security company can help you design a complete security system to fill of your needs and give you the right protection for your business. Contact Hue and Cry Security for a free evaluation.