In today’s world, businesses must store large amounts of sensitive and valuable property and data. They also face an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape. This means that traditional, simple physical security solutions, such as locks and keys, are no longer enough to keep assets safe.
Commercial access control systems stand out as effective solutions fit for the modern world, combining advanced technology and physical security to keep properties safe. Beyond peace of mind, they ensure ease of use, convenience, and easier regulation compliance.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of access control systems available to business owners today. We’ll explore the leading physical commercial access control system designs that the market has to offer, as well as their primary components, and then list some key factors to consider as you choose the best access control for you.
We’ll also detail how to select the right commercial access system and why Kastle can be your best security option.
Overview of Commercial Access Control Systems
The phrase “access control” can have several meanings. In the world of building security, it refers to the process of granting or denying access rights to those attempting to enter a physical space.
Commercial physical access control systems use a range of technologies such as biometric scanners, card access control systems, or video surveillance systems to safeguard a company’s building and physical assets and protect occupants from internal or external threats.
Physical Access Control Systems
Physical access control systems assign and enforce access permissions based on one or a series of physical credentials. These physical credentials can take the form of tangible possessions that the person seeking entry may have or even a set of irreproducible bodily traits. Some examples are:
- Access cards
- Mobile devices
- Keypad entry
- Biometrics (fingerprints, iris scanners facial recognition)
The goal of all types of access controls in security is the same: to designate entry permissions to building occupants according to the chosen access credentials and allow or deny entry to reduce unauthorized access and mitigate security risks.
Essential Components of Access Control Systems
There are different types of access controls on the market today, but each requires some form of identification and authorization. The identification component shows that the individual attempting entry possesses the necessary access credentials to enter a space. The authorization component then processes or “reads” the identification component to validate or deny it.
Some of the most common components of access control in security are:
Key Cards
A highly cost-effective and efficient means of access control, key cards use access cards as their identification component and card readers to authorize them.
The traditional and time-consuming lock-and-key method has been largely replaced by key cards due to them being harder to duplicate and easier to deactivate and reactivate. Although more robust physical commercial security solutions are available, key cards are often the best option for buildings requiring a simple, efficient, and inexpensive means of regulating entry into the property.
Biometric Devices
Biometrics involves the use of bodily traits as an identifier to access a space. These traits are unique to the authorized individual requesting access and are nearly impossible to replicate. Some common technologies that employ biometrics are:
- Fingerprint scanners
- Iris scanners
- Facial recognition technology
The advantage of biometrics is that the difficulty of replicating these features makes it a highly secure means of access control. It’s ideal for companies requiring a higher level of security to protect their most sensitive assets. The downside is that the technology used to enforce it is relatively advanced, making it more costly and labor-intensive to implement and maintain.
Mobile Access Technologies
Mobile access technologies combine the best of key cards and biometrics access control components. They rely on mobile devices such as smartphones to provide simple, convenient access to authorized users while maintaining a high level of security.
You can use them simply by installing an app or software on users’ smartphones or mobile devices, turning it into the identifying component, and implementing a reader to detect and approve the device as the authorizing component.
People rarely go far without their phones, making mobile access technologies highly convenient, especially as mobile access readers can detect an authorized device from a distance. The technology can also be paired with smart access control to give administrators greater visibility over occupancy data and traffic flow all from an intuitive security dashboard, for the future of access control.
Considerations for Choosing an Access Control System
Designing a security infrastructure that meets your facility’s and occupants’ needs can be daunting— and maintaining it by yourself can be even harder. It requires careful planning and consideration of several factors, such as:
- Scalability. As your business changes, your commercial security needs will change with it. When you evaluate the different types of access control systems available, choose one that can easily accommodate a growing number of users or security devices and that can easily be upgraded to a more advanced system as needed.
- Integration Capabilities. Some commercial security systems employ other components such as surveillance systems, closed-circuit TV (CCTV), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and alarms. Some types of access control systems may not be compatible with the rest of your building’s security features, so make sure the one you choose can integrate with them all.
- Ease of Use. Access control systems that are secure but too complex can disrupt traffic flow, frustrate users, and lead to misuse and subsequent security compromise, but those that are too simple may fail to protect your business. Select an access control system that balances security and convenience, optimizing the user experience while keeping your people and assets safe.
Each business’ needs are different, and there are many types of access control systems to choose from. The exact configuration of your security environment will vary according to your security risks and operational requirements, so working with an experienced professional to design your ecosystem is paramount.
Steps to Determine the Right Access Control System
Since choosing from the many types of access controls can be challenging, it helps to take a strategic approach to evaluating your current security footprint. Try taking the following steps:
- Conduct a security assessment to assess traffic flow, identify which spaces and assets are in greatest need of protection, and consider possible security risks — both external, such as burglars or criminals, and internal, such as disgruntled employees.
- Comply with any industry standards, laws, or regulations applicable to your industry.
- Evaluate your occupants’ needs for a convenient yet secure user experience.
- Consider the cost of your access control system and any budgetary constraints.
- Account for scalability by factoring in additional future users or extra security systems.
- Assign different security levels as needed, based on the sensitivity of specific spaces, people, and assets within your building.
Another important factor to consider is the amount of training and ongoing maintenance your business is willing to shoulder to support your security system. Training new staff on security measures, installing or replacing hardware, and continually overseeing your security data can all prove cost-prohibitive, so leveraging a security specialist that offers managed access control can free up your organization to drive more business value.
Kastle: Your Commercial Access Control Provider
Designing a physical commercial access control infrastructure that mitigates the risk of unauthorized entrance while providing a seamless user experience to occupants without breaking the budget can be difficult. It requires careful thought and planning and continuous implementation and maintenance in-house, which can prove costly and time-consuming.
At Kastle, we provide end-to-end commercial building security services and lead the way in security innovation. Alongside the industry-leading physical security solutions that make your buildings secure, we also offer ongoing managed security support.
We take the burden of security maintenance off your shoulders and free you up to focus on the rest of your operations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can strengthen your building security and your business.