How To Choose The Right Access Control System

Today’s security needs have evolved dramatically over the past decade.  Today, an access control system is a critical piece of a business or commercial security system, which is used to protect property, data, and employees.

If you’re looking to get started with access control as part of your business or commercial security system, there are a few things you need to consider before making your purchase.  In this article, we’ll look at three key steps in choosing the right access control system for you.  It’s important to know that not every access control system is created equal, and since each building’s security needs and set up are unique, you will need a customized solution that meets your requirements.

1.  Understand Your Needs

Your business and your building are unique and you shouldn’t accept a cookie cutter approach.  It’s important for you to understand your needs and convey them to a potential service provider so that they can build a system that works for you.  Some items for you to consider include:

  • What access control policies, models, and mechanisms would you like used?
  • What is the nature and value of what you want to protect? For example, data, property, and people.
  • What kind of access granting hardware would you like to see used? There are many different types such as, swipe cards, key fobs, proximity readers, keypads, and biometrics.
  • Where would you like your system hosted? In house or offsite?
  • What type of reporting would you like to see from your system? Your access control system can provide you with a wealth of data including access logs, energy efficiencies, and much more.

2.  Choose A System that can Grow With You

Access Control Systems can have a long life-span in your building if you plan accordingly.  We know that over time your business will grow, and your access control system should have the functionality to grow with you.  Consider what the size of your business is now and where it will be 5, 10, even 20 years into the future.

Additionally, it’s important to be cognizant of potential regulation changes in the future.  Engage your other departments from IT to HR and understand how their regulations may impact your access control system needs.

3.  Integration with Other Security & Building Systems

So many of the services that we use in our daily lives now collaborate to provide you access in one convenient spot, and your access control system should be no different.  To get the best value out of your access control system, it should be tailored to work with other systems within your building, and communicate with you easily and efficiently.  For example, together with your CCTV system, video can automatically be pulled up displaying what caused an alarm to occur.  You can even tie it into your building’s energy goals.  Monitoring the activity at your warehouse loading doors, or setting automatic lights to turn off once it’s determined a room is empty, are just two examples of how an access control system can help make your building more efficient and save you money on energy costs.

When it comes to access control systems, integration is critical.  While such integrations may not have been available in the past, today’s IP-based technologies make it possible to integrate them effectively and efficiently.

If you’d like to learn more about what access control is, check out this article we shared a few months ago.

We would love to talk to you about how we can customize a solution for your business.  You can reach out to us by using the contact form below, call 1 866 670 1590 or email info@bulldogsecurity.ca

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