Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control
There are so many reasons why more business owners are turning toward access control for their building needs. It seems like the word keeps spreading that access control is the best way to protect your commercial building from theft, security threats, vandalism, and crime, while also granting security access to large numbers of people — and it’s true!
In fact, a study conducted by Markets and Markets reported that by 2023 the access market will reach $10 billion in the U.S. It’s more than just a trend.
Access control is becoming the norm when it comes to security and if you’re thinking about upgrading your current security system or are starting a new business it might be time to ditch your clunky key set and upgrade to this instead.
When planning your next commercial property, any good locksmith will advise you on the differences between a mechanical lock and access control, but as more businesses are using access, let’s focus on the ways that access control will vastly improve the safety of your business.
First things first, what is access control?
TechTarget best explained access control as “a security technique that regulates who or what can view or use resources in a computing environment. It is a fundamental concept in security that minimizes risk to the business or organization.”
Often access control will use tools such as credential passes, access card readers, control panels, or auditing reports that will track who comes into your facility, even noting what time they enter and exit the building. This is valuable information.
Access control gives employers more control over who is allowed in their space and doors can easily be locked or opened from your access control mainframe. Many businesses who have a large number of employees use access control as a way to grant access to their buildings, and you can even control varying levels of security clearances.
But there are even more reasons why a good locksmith will recommend this dynamic and robust system. Take a look at five key reasons why a good locksmith will show you how access control can be a major asset.
1. Use access control to protect your employees
Unfortunately, we live in a time where security threats are real. Many employers feel a sense of duty toward their employees and want to protect them in times of real danger. An access control panel can automatically lock any or all entrances to a building, preventing intruders from making their way inside.
Don’t allow your staff to be vulnerable in the face of a threat. Keep them safe and use access control, which can be immediately deployed to protect the people who make your business run.
2. Use access control to track the flow of traffic in your building
Every access control system is able to audit the flow of traffic in your commercial building, which is a useful tool if you run a retail business or want to track visitors. Anyone who runs a retail store knows that the number of “converted” customers, or the percentage of people who walk into your store versus the number of people who actually purchase merchandise, is an insightful figure that can help make informed decisions about advertising, buying, and perhaps even sales abilities.
But even if you aren’t selling merchandise, auditing who comes into your building can be valuable information when trying to understand how often your commercial space is used and at what times there is the heaviest and lightest traffic flow.
Remember, when running a large shared space, knowledge can be king. A good locksmith will encourage you to use access control instead of traditional mechanical security, which will not provide you with the same kind of data.
3. Use access control to provide access to a large number of people
Let’s face it, handing out large numbers of keys and then trying to get people to return them in an orderly way is a burdensome task. Keys are bulky, can easily be copied, or even passed around, which is a security risk that no one should take.
Access control credentials, often in the form of key passes or key fobs, are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and when you wish to discontinue access to a particular key fob you can easily shut the power off from your main access control panel. Similarly, access can easily be granted in a matter of minutes, which is excellent news for growing companies or companies where employees number into the hundreds.
4. Use access control to manage your energy bills and environmental impact
One of the best things your access control can do is monitor how often different parts of your building are being used and electronically work with your building management system to turn off lights or other energy-wasting utilities like heating or air conditioning. Reduce your waste and lower your bills by using your access control effectively.
5. Use access control to allow custom access for your employees
A unique feature of access control is that you can customize security access for a large number of people with the touch of a button. If you have employees who are at different levels of expertise, an access control system can grant varying levels of security clearance.
You can also minimize the risk of exposure to your employees by granting access based on your employees’ schedules. This is a beneficial feature to staff who might be in your building after normal working hours, like cleaning and janitorial staff. Your access control mainframe can take into account whatever specific needs your business has and a good locksmith will understand this innately.
If you’re still not sure if access control is for you, give us a call. We have experienced staff who will work with you to answer your questions and we specialize in many different types of commercial services including access control. We guarantee that our customers will leave happy.