Jewelry stores, laboratories, television stations, factories and numerous other industries need security access control systems. Some industries handle highly sensitive material, and must limit employee and customer access to certain areas. The most efficient method of controlling and limiting access is using controlled entry systems for employees, clients and vendors.

Using access control systems can give you peace of mind and add much needed security to all or portions of your business. Each type of access control system serves a unique purpose.

1. Keypad access control & security systems allow your employees to use keyless entry.

2. Card access security systems and security badge access lets you limit access to employees and visitors.

3. Biometric access control systems allow you to implement multiple security measures before your employees access a highly secure area.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Provide basic security with keypad controlled entry systems

Keys do provide security for a business, but it can be a hassle to provide every employee with a key. Then, if you change the locks, every employee needs a new key. If an employee leaves on bad terms, it's sometimes difficult to get the key back. You can solve all of these problems with a keypad access control system. Simply give every employee your secure pin number, and you never have to worry about keys again.

I recommend: Check out the digital keypad selection at The Keyless Lock Store to see keypads you can use indoors and outdoors. AutomaticGateOpeners.Net has keypads designed for outdoor use. You can even install a keypad access control system at your gate to limit traffic on your business property.

Give some employees more access than others with card access control systems

Some areas of your business require high levels of security, but all employees can access other areas. If you have a varying degree of clearance options in your business, a card controlled access system is for you. You can program each employee's individual card to gain access to certain areas of your business. Some card access control systems even allow you to print a report of the employees in each area of your business at a certain time.

I recommend: Security Door Controls has a keypad and proximity card reader you can incorporate into your existing security system. This reader works for up to 650 users. Card Quest offers a variety of key card security system readers at a price that your business can afford.

Use biometric security access control systems to add an extra layer of security

Biometric access control & security systems are the cream of the crop. Biometric business security controlled access systems can use fingerprint scans, hand scans, eye scans and voice recognition to allow an employee to gain access. Many biometric readers allow you to implement multiple layers of security, meaning your employee must comply with two or more scans to gain access. Use a biometric door access control system for areas that require the strictest security.

I recommend: NextgenID has a fingerprint and iris recognition system that requires both a fingerprint scan and an eye scan for the employee to gain entrance to that secure area. RDG / BarCodeAmerica.com has a varied selection of biometric readers, including one that requires fingerprint identification and voice recognition.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use software in conjunction with your access control and security systems to maintain a top-notch security system. Software allows you to make continual upgrades for less money than it would take to upgrade your equipment.

You already have an access control system in place at your facility. It's called the locks on your doors. Locks are simple to use and everyone is accustomed to them. But they have weaknesses like the ability to be picked, or the problem that everyone's keys have to be replaced if a disgruntled employee leaves with a key … I could go on but if you're reading this, you've probably already realized that a key system is not enough. Enter the world of access control systems. These range from pretty simple, standalone locks to corporate-campus-wide applications that will astound you with their features. The systems to know are:

1. Standalone units that control one door and simply replace a key system. These may still be mechanical in nature, or they can use electronic devices to control access.
2. Simple systems that can control a dozen or two doors using electronics.
3. Enterprise-wide access control systems that can keep track of every door and entry point, who used the door, and whether the door's been propped open. These systems can be programmed to do a number of things, like unlock every door in the case of a fire alarm.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Going high-tech with systems like electronic access control can be a challenge. Start by contacting other business owners and ask what they like and dislike about their system. Compare your needs to a similar-sized company. Secondly, bring in your IT staff on this installation. Many of today's systems can interface directly with your IT databases.

Your business might deal with pricey inventory, sterile labs or classified information — all great reasons to install access control systems in your business. Some business owners use controlled entry systems at all their exterior doors to keep unwanted people out completely. However, other business owners find they need a door access control system only on areas of the business to restrict access. Business security controlled access allows you to identify when each employee enters and exits your facility. There are several different types of security access control systems to meet your business needs. When you consider a door access control system, look into:

1. Card controlled access systems

2. Keypad access control & security systems

3. Biometric access control systems

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider card access control systems to increase security in particular areas

Card access security systems require employees to have a designated card to gain access to your business. You can use card access control systems to secure your entire business, or to secure certain areas. You can choose a key card security system to operate on just one or two doors, or on all of the doors in your facility.

I recommend: Entry-Master Systems offers a card access security system that you can customize to meet your specific business needs. Look into the optional bonus package for extra features you can add. Continental Instruments has access control kits that you can use to add card controlled access systems to your business. You can incorporate these kits with your existing security system, or you can design a security system around the products available in these kits.

Select easy-to-use keypad access control systems

Keypad access control systems don't require your employees to keep up with cards or security badges. However, they do require your employees to have a pin number to gain entry to your business. If you fire an employee or need to change a security access code, keypad access control systems allow you to immediately change your secure pin.

I recommend: Corby Industries has a great selection of keypad controlled entry systems. Browse their selection and choose the option that’s best for your business. You can also add a keypad to your existing security system with a keypad from HAI.

Consider biometric access control and security systems

Biometric controlled entry systems aren't cost effective unless you have items that require top-notch security. These systems are expensive, however, they're worth it to protect your classified information. Biometric access control and security systems scan your employees' fingerprint or retina to ensure that employee has clearance to enter high security areas of your business.

I recommend: NextgenID lets you choose from a fingerprint security access control system, a fingerprint and iris access control system or a face recognition system with fingerprint backup. You can use their products indoors or outdoors. You can also choose a fingerprint door lock from BrickHouseSecurity to use for your business. You must present an approved fingerprint to gain entry through the doors, and they have a more aesthetic look than other types of biometric security systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some access control systems require you to use software with the system. Look into the price to purchase, maintain and upgrade this software, because it can quickly add to the cost of your door access control system.

An access control system can help businesses increase security. An access control system limits how many people can access specific areas of a business. These control systems are set up at entryways, but can also include virtual access control to certain computer files. An access control system will also keep track of the employees who have accessed the designated areas, when the areas were accessed, and how often. Control systems can also work with some of the other security measures in place, such as ID cards and other access entry controls.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Smart card

A smart card is a type of access card that allows a person to enter different controlled areas with a single card. The card contains the information of what controlled areas can be accessed by the user. The card is best used for buildings that have multiple access technologies.

I recommend: FacilitiesNet discusses the benefits of smart card technology when used with an access control system.

Biometrics

Biometrics is an advanced access control system that uses a combination of biology and technology for authentication. Biometrics includes fingerprints, iris scans, vocal patterns and hand measurements to allow access to controlled areas.

I recommend: Power Computers provides information on biometrics, why it is used and some of the technology available.

Card reader

A card reader is a device that scans ID cards of employees. The cards are encoded with information telling the system to allow access to the secured area. The reader can be a swipe reader or a proximity reader.

I recommend: DoorKing provides specifications and information on the advanced features of a proximity card reader for access control systems.

Access control panel

The access control panel is the main system control. This is where security levels are set for secured areas and information is provided on who can access specific points.

I recommend: Compu-Gen Technologies provides an access control system buying guide. The guide contains information on sizing the system and what components are necessary.

Interoperability

Interoperability allows security products made by different companies to work with an access control system. For example, interoperability allows a security system to be integrated with an access control system.

I recommend: Hirsch Electronics provides examples and benefits of interoperability in an access control system.