An access control system, or the series of hardware (card readers, door strikes, access cards, intercoms, video integration, etc.) and software that allow you to limit or grant access to your facility; can be an extremely useful security tool. It allows you to give the right people access to the right places, at the right times.
But what do you do if your organization has multiple facilities or buildings on a campus, with many people who need access, all different levels of security permissions? For example, if you are a company with multiple office locations, or a school with multiple building that faculty need to access.
Sounds like a headache, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be.
Here are a few things to consider if you are considering installing an access control system and your organization has multiple locations.
The Number of People Who Need Access
When you are choosing a type of access control system, it’s important to take into account all of the people who will need to use the system because this can have quite an impact on the scale of the project (and it’s price). Larger and more complex systems are more expensive.
Take some time to think about the following questions:
- How many people need access to the system total?
- How many need to access each location?
- Is there anyone who will need access to multiple locations?
- Do they all have the same levels of security permission? Or are there varying levels?
- Are there specific days and/or times that access needs to be limited?
Types of Systems
Every organization and facility is different and as a result, has different security needs. Since most access control systems are made up of a number of different components, your system can be tailored to meet your unique requirements. Some types of access control systems include:
- Card reader systems – These can be comprised of HID proximity key cards, ID badges or keyfobs. This type of system is extremely versatile and can used as a part of most access control systems.
- Intercom Systems – These systems can include a combination of voice, video, and remote lock and release. They are beneficial for facilities where access needs to be requested, verified and approved or denied.
- Biometric scanners- Includes fingerprint and retinal scanners. This type of system is best if your facilities have restricted areas that require an extremely high level of security.
Managing the System In-House or Using a 3rd Party
It’s important to keep in mind that managing an access control system in-house can be a lot of work. Depending on the system, it can require quite a bit of technology and manpower to effectively maintain. However, many security companies can not only install your access control system, they can also maintain it for you. EPS is one such security company.
As a part of our Managed Access Control system we can manage cards, records, and other administrative needs including:
- Add new employees & remove former employees
- Limit access to areas on specific dates, such as holidays, or certain times
- Track employee entry times and receive scheduled activity reports
In the end, no matter what type of access control system you choose to implement, make sure that is can be used seamlessly at all locations.
Managing multiple locations comes with its own set of security issues and considerations, in addition to managed access. To learn more about what EPS can do to make managing the security of multiple locations easier, click the button below!