By Good commercial security amounts to more than just cameras and alarms; most businesses can also benefit from systems such as premise access control. If your business has employees who come and go at various hours, especially at times that fall outside your normal hours of operation, then most commercial security professionals will tell you that premise access control systems are a must.
Premise access controls such as key-card access systems can protect your business and employees, while also providing you with useful entry/exit data about all the doors and entry points. But, in order for premise access controls to work, you need to have a separate access code for each authorized employee. Separate codes are essential for tracking purposes, since without them it’s impossible to keep an accurate log of who entered or exited at a certain time. Separate codes also allow you to match up problem situations with the employees who are involved. Along with premise access control, separate data reporting services can help keep logs of who opens or closes, as well as sorting out multiple entries and exits for the same employee on the same day.
Premise access management systems from companies like HiD Global, Keyscan, and Bosch run from simple to complex, giving you the flexibility to adjust the system according to the needs of your business. At one end of the spectrum you’ll find web-based applications which boil down to a user, a card, and a schedule, and can track entries and exits on only a couple of doors, while at the other end you’ll find complex and multi-tiered systems that print ID badges with photographs and integrate with camera systems for optimal tracking and security for larger corporate entities or businesses that need particularly tight access controls. Some systems allow you to do controlled scheduled access, so that if John works from 8-5 he can only access the building during those hours, giving you an added layer of security.
Access controls and management systems can do more than just keep track of who comes and goes, they can deter employee theft and fraud, and help you to keep your employees safe. Internal theft from employees costs businesses 590% more than losses from shoplifting, and 1 in every 36 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer according to reports issued in 2011. 64% of small businesses report having experienced employee theft, losing an average of $20,000 in cash alone, not including losses of inventory, production materials, tools, and other assets.
A security system that incorporates access controls with separate access codes for each employee can also help you to protect data by monitoring who has access to the computer systems and when. Access controls installed by commercial security professionals can be an integral part of your commercial security package, helping to protect every part of your business, from assets and facilities to personnel and beyond.