If you’re looking for a better way to boost security for your business, you’ve probably seen the phrase “electronic access control system” tossed around a lot. It may sound like an incredibly high-tech — and expensive — option for security, but it may surprise you to learn how affordable an access control system can be. Better still, an electronic access control system can be totally customized based on your business’s security needs and the building it’s in. An access control system isn’t limited to mega-corporations worried about things like corporate espionage, either. An access control system may be just what your Milwaukee business needs for the best security, no matter how large or small. Here’s what you need to know, as explained by your experienced local locksmith team:
What Is an Electronic Access Control System?
In short, an electronic access control system (EAC system) is any security which limits, or controls, entry to an area. Often, that means commercial door locks that are controlled electronically, and can be disengaged by a PIN number or the swipe of a key card. One example of an EAC system that almost everyone is familiar with are the electronic door locks on hotel rooms.
If you’ve ever gone into a business and had to be “buzzed” back, that’s an access control system at work. There are a whole range of different options that provide hands-on and hands-off control so you can customize your business’s security as much as you choose. An electronic access control system is also a great option if you need to restrict access to certain areas of your facility, but not everything — or if you need to restrict access at certain times, but not all the time.
Parts of an Access Control System
The two main components of any access control system are readers and electronic door locks. The electronic door locks are necessary to secure any entry points that you want to have controlled by the access control system. The readers are the little devices that scan key cards or RFID chips, accept entered credentials (like a PIN), or perform a biometric scan. Since access control systems are impressively customizable, you can even mix and match different readers as a way to provide even more stringent security measures. And any doors you don’t need to have electronically controlled can operate with standard high-security locks to keep your facility secure.
Choosing Electronic Door Lock Options
The greatest aspect of an access control system is how much freedom it gives any business owner to maintain a high level of security without keeping customers out. For example, an access control system means having open, inviting doors to invite shoppers into a retail store; however, the safe and important documents will need to be secured, so maybe that means adding a keypad or card scanner to protect any doors to the back office space.
The options you choose will depend a lot on how much access control is needed and the level of security necessary. A larger company with more employees coming and going will benefit from using readers that can be quickly activated with a key card. That many employees punching in a PIN would wear down the keys and show what the code is; a scanned key card helps to prevent that security weakness.
How Electronic Access Control Systems Secure a Space
The obvious way an access control system helps is that it prevents unwanted access from occurring. The secondary part of this is it allows you to not only control who comes and goes, but also gives you the option to track that information. With most electronic access systems, each reader will keep a log of when it is used. If each employee has an individual identifier — like a PIN or individual key cards assigned to each person — the readers can also track who is coming and going. If there is ever a question about a security breach, those logs can be invaluable for finding the weak link. This also makes it easier to restrict access, especially in the case of a former employee; simply deactivate their key card, PIN, or biometric credentials to deny access.
As with any security measure, an electronic access control system is only effective when installed correctly and operating well. Whether you’re looking for a new access control system or updates/repairs to an existing one, start by connecting with your experienced Milwaukee locksmith team at Urich Lock. Call your local locksmith team today to start with a consultation!
