What is Access Control & Why Do You Need it For Your Kentucky Business?
What does the term “access control” mean? Access control systems are electronic control security measures that companies use to manage who can enter and exit their properties, as well as when and where. Previously, access control required a receptionist, a sign-in sheet, and a key. Nowadays, it’s more sophisticated and hi-tech. Many access control systems utilize advanced features like remote access, facial recognition, and smart technology for more secure and reliable access control.
Kentucky businesses frequently use access control systems to restrict building access to authorized users. This allows them to protect their people, property, and information. With access control in place, you can grant access to specific employees and visitors through credentials and internal protocols. Modern access control systems also allow companies to monitor the flow of people entering and leaving buildings and at what times.
In this blog, we’ll answer the following questions and explain how common access control credentials can benefit your Kentucky company.
- What can access control systems do?
- What are the benefits of access control systems?
- What are common access control credential types?
Contact Bates Security To Set Up a Reliable Access Control System for Your Kentucky Business
Bates Security has provided Kentucky businesses with security installations and monitoring for over 50 years. Our experienced and friendly consultants will help you find the best access control system for your business, property, and employees.
We'll handle everything, from designing to installing to managing the access control. Also, we’ll make the transition to new technology as easy as possible for you with employee training sessions and 24/7 monitoring.
Call us at (800) 403-9471 or click the button below to see why we have hundreds of 5-star reviews.
What Can Access Control Systems Do?
Businesses of all sizes in Kentucky can benefit from access control systems, as they can be scaled up or down depending on the business security purpose. Each system seeks to manage the movement of people to protect company property, whether it’s data or products. An experienced access control technician can help customize your system to your industry and business needs.
To demonstrate the versatility of the systems, here is a list of industries that benefit from access control:
- Assisted living properties
- Commercial and industrial manufacturing and warehousing facilities
- Financial and healthcare institutions
- Houses of worship
- Hospitality properties like hotels and resorts
- Local, state, and federal government buildings
- Multi-tenant office
- Multi-use properties
- Professional services companies
- Retail stores
- Schools and universities
No matter the access control system, it achieves its ultimate objective of security and managing people via four features:
- Credentials: A credential in an access control system can be as simple as a plain key or as complicated as a biometric reader. These credentials allow leadership teams to set security levels to authorize individuals and groups into properties. We’ll discuss the various types of access control credentials in a later section.
- Property schedules: With access control credentials, a property owner or manager can set building-wide access for visitors based on the time of day or day of the week.
- Remote control: Remote access control capabilities allow property owners to make instant access-granting decisions by using smart devices, even when they aren’t on-site. For example, suppose an employee accidentally sets off an alarm. In that case, the property owner can easily assess whether there’s a legitimate problem, turn off the alarm virtually, and grant access without stepping onto the property.
- Lockdown and lockout modes: With a lockdown or lockout feature, any identified intruders cannot access specific areas with employees or company valuables.
The Benefits of Access Control Systems
You can take advantage of the benefits of access control systems for your Kentucky business, such as:
- Easily change access privileges: As a business owner, you can conveniently revoke or add access privileges for employees via your smartphone.
- Increased property security: You can bypass human error with access control. You can pre-program all your property doors to lock automatically after business hours. No more worrying about employees forgetting to lock doors or valuables. Not to mention, no more worrying about employees forgetting their keycards or pin codes.
- Faster response for emergencies: In an emergency, a property owner or manager can quickly lock all access points to prevent harm to your employees or theft of company property.
- Zoned and global access: If you have a campus or multiple locations, you can grant zoned or global access to your managers or employees who travel from place to place so they can easily access the areas they need.
- Full integration with energy systems: You can sync many access control systems to your property’s HVAC and electrical systems to automatically turn off lights and change building temperature after work hours.
Common Access Control Credential Types
Access control credentials have undergone significant technological progress in the past decade. The four main types of credentials include:
Scannable key fobs and access cards:
Key fobs and access cards are the most common form of access control. They have built-in authentication data inside of them and work as electronic door keys. You can install door readers at any desired access point in your property to work with the fobs or cards.
The great thing about scannable access cards and key fobs is that you can customize access credentials for each employee with these. For example, you can limit the employees who can access a building room with sensitive information to those with high clearance. They’re flexible, and you can easily change the card or fob if an employee loses it. The access control system will flag you if somebody tries to unlock your property with a deactivated access card.
However, these scannable objects can be easily lost or forgotten, which is why biometric and mobile device access credentials are becoming more popular.
Pin codes for keypads:
You can opt for a “keyless” approach with a pin code that doesn’t require relying on physical objects. Employees will punch in a unique pin code to enter or exit a building.
You can easily promote or downgrade employee access depending on if they change roles or leave the company. If an employee forgets their pin code, the system will flag you if somebody tries to enter your property with a decommissioned one.
The major downside of keyless credentials is that you risk employees forgetting them.
Mobile access control:
Mobile access control is easier and more affordable to implement. Employees can install an app on their mobile devices and scan their phones at door readers to enter or exit your property. Or, the mobile access control’s Bluetooth technology will allow employees to wave their phones in front of a sensor to enter or exit controlled areas.
You can also use this mobile access credential to control access to your company’s digital assets, and employees must verify their identities through the app.
Biometric readers:
Biometric readers use the human body as the credential. The most popular are retina, fingerprint, or facial scanners. These readers instantly know who a person is and where they can go on your property.
Companies that work with classified and sensitive consumer information frequently use biometric readers for additional security as they are the most foolproof credential. It’s difficult to counterfeit biometric scans, and there is no object or information for employees to forget or lose.
You can install both a biometric reader and another credential type if your company requires a high level of security for employees and valuable company property and information.
Install a Custom-Designed Access Control System for Your Kentucky Business With Bates Security
With over 50 years of experience, Bates Security has been an invaluable resource for Kentucky businesses looking to boost their property security. Easily monitor your access control with our cloud-hosted access control management and customized equipment, roles, and permissions. We offer tailored access control systems that best suit your business needs and provide a broad range of credential types for installation, from key cards to mobile device access.
Call us at (800) 403‑9471 or click the button below to receive a free consultation with our Security Consultants, review our full range of access control services, and experience 5‑star service!