Why should you implement access control within your business?
Access control is one of the best security tools for large and expanding businesses. It is a vital component of a security strategy and is commonly paired with both CCTV and intruder alarm systems. It allows you to monitor who enters and exits the building and allocates the appropriate access to different staff members.
Access control is an essential way to know who is in your building, and even the reason they are there. It majorly reduces the risk of the wrong people gaining access to information, and allows owners to simplify their business, as people only have access to the areas they require within their job role.
As your business expands, your number of employees and customers will expand too, which can mean it is difficult to keep track of who’s coming and going. The use of access control reduces and relieves some of the responsibility off of the reception staff.
What is the goal of access control?
The main goal of access control is to minimise security risks, as it limits access to information and information processing systems. It mitigates the risk of information being accessed without the appropriate authorisation, unlawfully and the risk of a data breach. It also means that visitors can only access the required areas, and staff are aware of their arrival before they enter the building.
How does it work?
Access control can come in many different forms, whether it’s a large gate with a keypad, a fob or dongle system, a key card or an NFC on a smartphone. They can also be buzzers that are activated by a visitor, which then allows the staff within the building to give them access. It can be used within a building, as well as outside, to only allow staff or visitors to access certain areas of a building. It only requires one point of administration who can delegate access privileges to different staff members.
Benefits of access control:
The use of access control has many important benefits, but here are just a few:
- It increases the ease of access for employees.
- It gets rid of traditional keys and replaces them with a single key card or fob that has the ability to unlock multiple access points within your building.
- It saves time, money and energy for everyone.
- It helps Managers and Owners keep track on who is entering and leaving site at all times.
- It protects a site from unwanted visitors.
- It gives employees to work when they need to and leave and return with ease.
- It helps to prevent data breaches, as it only allocates access to people who need it.
- It creates a safe work environment by making you aware of who is on site.
- It helps to deter threats as it makes it much more difficult for people to gain access without appropriate authorisation.
With all of these benefits in mind, it is no wonder that many companies are choosing to implement access control within their businesses, and noticing a large sense of relief, as the worry of who can access your buildings or work sites is eliminated.