Guide to Access Control Systems

Devise an access control plan

This is when you figure out what are the most sensitive areas of the building and deal with questions like "Should everyone have the same level of access?" Unless your facility is pretty small and you have a good handle on what you want, it's a good idea to hire a consultant who understands local safety codes, how to give access to the disabled, and other important details.

I recommend: Some big companies like ADT and Honeywell Security will help you in this process (as they sell you their systems and installation services), but you can also find a security consultant from the International Association of Private Security Consultants.

Upgrade your mechanical locks

Whether you just want better locks for your doors or a system like a push-button lock where you can change the codes easily, you can upgrade from the standard hardware store locks that are, frankly, pretty easy for a thief to defeat.

I recommend: Corbin Russwin make a nice line of door hardware that not only is secure, but attractive.

Add some electronic access control systems

A card reading system will record who came in and out of your doors. Readers come from a variety of companies. Most systems will have a computer-managed interface that can show you a graphic floor plan of your business to show the system's status, so you don't have to remember that door 14 is the one next to the loading dock.

I recommend: Honeywell makes a nice entry level access control system that can grow with you.

Tie it in with your company databases

One of the great things about an electronic access control system is that you can delete a user when they leave or are let go. You even can set parameters such that if employee John Doe is in Asia for two weeks monitoring the manufacturing plants, his card can't be used here in Topeka. Connect the system to the HR database too, so that former employees are automatically removed from the access control roster.

I recommend: A system like Galaxy Control System's "Satellite" system makes that fairly simple, with ODBC compliant data (in other words, it should plug-and-play with whatever your computer system).

Link it up with your security cameras

You don't have to "silo" your security systems, with one system for access control and one system for video. If you're doing more than just access control, then why not link all of your door control, alarm monitoring, badging, and surveillance video needs in one system.

I recommend: Systems like Hirsch's Velocity platform tie together all those options and more.