3 Best Commercial Door Entry Systems
The majority of business burglaries happen after hours and involve forced entry, which means protecting your business starts with better entry security and locks. The more locks between a criminal and their target, the more lapsed time you create to allow police to respond. Adding an extra layer of protection with security doors provides a good starting point. Still, for the entire building, you might want to install or upgrade your entry systems using a few options, including:
- Traditional key lock doors
- Manual keypad entry systems
- Electronic access controlled doors
With solid doors and ANSI Grade 1 locks installed on all exit/entryways, businesses only need to determine the best way to allow employees, customers, and other approved visitors access to the building. This article details some of the most common methods and the pros and cons of each, along with some recommended use cases.
Have questions about physical security for your business? Ask Bates!
At Bates Security, our founder formerly served as a police officer, giving us inside knowledge of the best access control solutions. Our award-winning business security solutions can help protect your employees and business from unauthorized intruders.
Traditional Key Lock Doors
Many buildings use key locks as the standard choice. Key locks offer affordability and, with tamper-resistant features, provide fair security. Residential and office buildings commonly employ these locks on internal doors. You might use a key lock to secure areas that do not require a higher level of security, such as a break room or bathroom.
Since multiple people may need access to these spaces at different times, and nothing particularly important gets stored in these rooms, you might not need to provide upgraded security for access.
Pros:
- Inexpensive. Keys offer one of the least expensive options when providing access to secured areas. Copying a key often costs as little as a couple of dollars, and collected keys can be reissued to new employees.
- Easy to install. Key locks are standard in many buildings, making it easy to change locks and re-key the system if a key is compromised.
- Durable. Keys last for years without the need for replacements.
Cons:
- Easy to copy. Most local hardware stores can make copies of keys, which means former employees may still have access to the premises.
- Limited control. Losing a key can incur expenses, particularly concerning a sensitive area that necessitates re-keying the locks and replacing all issued keys.
Manual Keypad Entry Systems
Often used in parking lots or other areas where non-employees may need access, keypads provide a great upgrade from standard keys. Building management often utilizes combination locks to issue multiple codes for approved entry, enabling better tracking of individuals on premises at any given time. While some larger buildings may have trouble assigning individual codes to every person, each business entity operating at the location or each department may have a code.
Pros:
- No physical key to lose. With no physical key to carry around, the risk of an unexpected lockout decreases.
- Scalable for most buildings. While the largest buildings or those with very high traffic levels might not benefit from a keypad system, intermediate entry zones such as parking lots or lobby areas serve as ideal use cases.
- Codes are easily deactivated. While a user can certainly share their passcode, they can’t physically copy the keypad system. If the original user loses property access, so will everyone else using the same code.
Cons:
- It may slow down access. Inputting a code may take a little more time than other entry methods, delaying entry for high-traffic buildings.
- Requires electricity. Whether running on a battery or hard-wired into the electric system, keypad entries need electricity to function. If the power goes out or the battery dies, access to the building can be limited.
Electronic Access Controlled Doors
Keyfobs, ID cards, RFID credentials, or Bluetooth via smartphone showcase the types of electronic access control options. Used in conjunction with any standard locking mechanism, these types of credentials control the lock securing an area. While all electronic access options have some shared pros and cons, some of these methods also have advantages and drawbacks specific to their design.
A keyfob is more susceptible to hacking than most other electronic access control options, and its owner can easily misplace it. While a layman can’t easily copy a keyfob, if one gets stolen, it still provides access. ID cards have the same drawbacks, although in-house creation often results in lower costs per employee.
Mobile access using RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth controls entry without the need for extra devices. Infinitely scalable, these systems prove highly resistant to hacking and enable real-time tracking of employees’ locations inside the building. However, employers may need to provide phones if handling lots of protected information such as financial or health data. In general, electronic access control offers the highest level of security, particularly when using 2‑factor authentication, such as a biometric lock and phone for access to the most secured areas in a building.
Pros:
- Top-notch security. When it comes to ease of issuing and revoking credentials for access, electronic presents the most secure and manageable option.
- Reduced lockout issues. If someone loses their phone or other entry device, these systems often have video options to approve one-time entry to the location.
- Infinitely scalable. Whether a business needs access for one person or thousands, electronic access control allows businesses to add however many necessary individual credentials.
Cons:
- The most expensive option. The best security comes with a comparable price tag. Electronic access control means ongoing expenses to maintain access to the needed software for management.
- Electricity required. If the building loses power, locks often won’t open. While emergency exits will still allow people to exit the building, this also prevents people from entering.
Ready to invest in security basics?
Controlling who has access to various parts of your business is essential for good security. Let the police-trusted experts at Bates Security design a custom access control solution for your business to keep your employees safe and the bad guys out.