Door access control is all about making sure you know who is coming and going from your property or secure resources. This is not simply a matter of locking the door with a key. Door access control allows you to secure access to your business or secure access to specific parts of your business.
Securing the premises is crucial to any business owner. Door access control allows you the added security of knowing who is coming and going at any given time. You can grant and deny access as it is appropriate to your needs.
Many businesses maintain certain assets that are more sensitive than others, and not everyone needs to have access to these assets. While some, or even most, people who work with your business need access, not everyone needs access to some of the more sensitive and critical areas. Door access control systems allow you to regulate these dimensions of your business.
What are door access control systems? How do door access control systems work? And What are the benefits of door access control systems? This guide will introduce you to door access control systems. And we will show how Circle Security Solutions can provide you with the right door access control system for your South Florida business.
What is a door access control system?
There are inherent limitations to keys and access to keys. While limiting who has access to the keys some parts of a business works to limit unauthorized access up to a point, it fails simply because keys are physical objects that easily change hands.
Keys are easily lost or given to unauthorized people, and this immediately compromises the security of your business. Taking the physical object out of the chain removes any possibility that someone can gain entry to the most secure parts of your business. This is what our access systems accomplish.
Rather than simple locks and keys, door access systems use computerized systems to limit access. There are several methods for door access systems. Swipe cars and passwords are the most common.
Instead of a key, people who are granted access to the secure areas of your business use either a swipe card or a password to gain entry through a computer-controlled access lock. This accomplishes two things. Door access systems allow you to limit who can gain entry, and they allow you to know at all times who has gained entry.
Passwords and swipe cards can be issued on an as-needed basis. The computer systems track who has gained access and when. There are several advantages to door access systems, which we will get to below, but suffice for now that these systems control access to secure areas of a business far more effectively than simple keys.
How does door access control work?
Door access control systems consist of three basic elements: the tag, the reader, and the controller. The entire lock system is built around these pieces.
Each user can be assigned a tag. This is a unique identification code that can come in the form of a password or swipe card. Anytime this individual accesses the site, this unique tag will be registered with the system.
The reader is on the control side of the system. It will track the unique tag every time it is used to gain access. The reader also keeps track of when the user leaves the premises and how often they leave the premises. When the authorized user uses their tag, the reader registers this access.
The controller is simply the electronic device that operates the lock. The tag makes it possible to open the lock. Attempts to gain access with an unauthorized tag will be registered as failed attempts.
Door access control systems effectively restrict access and monitor access at the same time. Since each tag is unique, you can grant access and restrict access as it is appropriate to you. You can also keep track of who is entering the premises of secure parts of the premises at all times.
The purpose of door access stems is two-fold. They create a far more secure point of access than traditional locks and keys. And they make it possible for you to know who is on-site should anything arise that requires your attention.
There are also more advanced door access control systems that use biometrics for access authorization. These use electronic fingerprints or even iris recognition software.
The entire door access control system is linked to your security control system. Once an authorized person gains access, they are registered with the security system. Unauthorized attempts to gain access are also registered with the security system and you can determine the proper responses.
Benefits of a door access control system
There are many benefits to door access control systems. These are not luxuries. They are state-of-the-art security systems that can help your business on several levels.
Increase ease of access for employees
This is a system that runs itself. Once you grant access, employees can come and go as needed to get the job done without you, or anyone else needed to allow people in and out. With the simple scan of a swipe card, fob, or password, employees can gain entry and get to work.
Eliminate keys
There are all kinds of problems with traditional keys. Keys get lost. Keys get passed along to unauthorized people. And keys just break and wear out. And older methods of access with keys require people to carry multiple keys for different parts of the business, and this leads to confusion about who has these keys.
With a door access control system, you simply grant access as you see fit, and the system keeps track of who has accessed which parts of your business and when. More restricted areas can be rendered more secure, and the people who have access are known to you at all times. What is more, should you ever need to make changes to who has access, you simply change the codes without having to make a full set of new keys.
Save money and energy
With a door access control system, you do not need a security guard to regulate who is coming and going. These systems reduce the number of people on your payroll.
Keep track of who comes and goes
Door access control systems maintain data on who enters and leaves the premises and when. You can monitor the time in and time out of employees. In the event of theft or an accident, you know who was on-site at the time of the incident.
Protect against unauthorized visitors
The larger your business, the easier it is for visitors and other unauthorized people to enter the grounds. Since door access control systems require specific credentials and prior authorization for entry, no one can enter your business without your approval.
Allow your employees more freedom
With older access systems, it was necessary to maintain specific hours when people could work. With a door access control system, your employees can come and go freely and work when they like. You can allow for flexible schedules and happier employees.
Prevent access to sensitive data
Health care industries, financial records, and legal records are all highly sensitive and highly regulated forms of data. With a door access control system, you can add a layer of security by restricting access to areas where this data is kept. IT rooms and records storage rooms can be strictly limited to only those who are authorized to have access to this kind of information.
Reduce theft and accidents
Door access control systems make it possible to protect your company’s assets, precious equipment, and even things like office supplies. You can restrict access to things like storage closets and computer banks. You can track anyone who enters restricted areas so that in the event of theft, you can track the person who likely committed the offense.
Comply with industry standards and security regulations
Many businesses operate following security regulations that are set by industries and by federal and state laws. Healthcare industries must comply with HIPAA regulations, for example. Within the industries of finance and commerce, there are industry standards that need to be met. Door access control systems make it easier to comply with these standards and regulations, and they also make it easier to prove that you comply.
Importance of having a door access control system in South Florida
If you operate a business in South Florida, you can easily begin to comply with Florida state laws and regulations as they pertain to your business using door access technology. Successful businesses all over South Florida are switching to door access control systems to both make their businesses more secure and to bring their security and access controls into the 21st Century.
How to choose the best door access control system?
There are some fairly simple things to think about when choosing the right door access control system. If you are a small business owner who needs to eliminate the hassle and inherent problems that come with locks and keys, all you need are the basics. Small businesses with no regulations to contend with beyond your own need only work with basic entry systems. These will allow you to grant and revoke access as needed.
As security issues become more complex, you will want to add layers of access and control. People who work with federally regulated data will require additional door access control procedures. These will involve general access controls and more restricted access controls in sensitive areas like data storage.
For larger businesses and for businesses that work with a mix of public access and secure access, you will certainly need to have a multi-layered system of door access control. This will involve a network of access points and authorization which can be linked to a central security system. As with all central security systems, this is built into links with outside agencies like emergency services and the police.
One of the great advantages of door access control systems is that they can be as simple and as complex as you need them to be. From a small business that needs to allow employees access to larger businesses with complex security issues and highly sensitive and restricted data, all security and access points can be controlled with the correct door access control system.
Door access control FAQs
What is a door access control system?
Instead of a key, people who are granted access to the secure areas of your business use either a swipe card or a password to gain entry through a computer-controlled access lock. This accomplishes two things. Door access systems allow you to limit who can gain entry, and they allow you to know at all times who has gained entry.
How does a door access control system work?
Using a tag, reader, and controller, a door access control system utilizes a computer to allow access to your business or specific parts of your business. This replaces old-fashioned locks and keys.
What are some of the benefits of a door access control system?
Some of the chief benefits of a door access control system are that it eliminates keys, regulates who has access to your business, and allows you to know who is coming and going at any time.
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Conclusion
Locks and keys have been the only way to limit and control access to a property or business. With the creation of door access control systems, we have made it possible to eliminate the old-fashioned system. Locks and keys are great, but keys get lost. Keys wind up in the hands of people who should not have them. With a door access control system, you know who has sued the system and gained access.
Door access control systems make it possible to assign access to your business based on specific criteria, and you know when these people enter and leave. You can also further restrict access within your business using a door access control system. If you have areas that are particularly sensitive or areas where you only want certain people, you can grant access according to your specifications.
For businesses that need to comply with industry standards and with legal regulations, a door access control system makes it possible to comply with these standards and regulations and easily provide proof of compliance.
