Companies today have access to private data of customers like never before. With the rise of automated services and computer-stored information, and the type of personal information (full name, address, credit card number, make and VIN of the vehicle, even your blood type, and medical history) is stored in every location you visit. Combined with the rise of identity theft and recent security breaches in the news, it is more important than ever that businesses take measures to secure customer data, and access to that data.

Access control to portions of a building, files on a computer, or even customer interaction used to be as simple as a padlock. Now, there are several types of security for various access points. A thorough risk-assessment of your business could save you a lot of headaches and customer service complaints in the future. Different types of business require different, sometimes unique, levels of protection; here are some of the more common reasons to implement access control, and what they entail.

Employee Protection Safety is the most important aspect of your business. With monitoring systems like CCTV (Closed Circuit TV, accessible only on a select network and with a password) and secured entry and egress points, your employee can feel safe and produce their best. This is especially important in businesses where employees often work alone, or in pairs.

Restrict Unauthorized Access So many companies store enough information on their customers that “white collar theft” is one of the fastest growing crimes in the county. Using individualized authentication, such as a password or fingerprint, helps employers track which employees access customer data, when, and which fields were accessed. This is especially important in places like hotels, where an employee might have access to a customer’s home address, credit card information, and signature, as well as the knowledge that this person is traveling.

Eliminate Unrestricted Access using electronic keys, number pad codes, and fingerprint scanners in place of traditional locked and keyed doors. Your buildings, staff, and customers will be safe, with little risk of duplication. In the case of a lost or stolen key, it is quick work to erase the missing key and reassign access, using a new key. This is especially important for places such as hotels, where there are many transient visitors, or anywhere that many people will need access.

Customize Individual Scheduled Access with programmed keys and doors. If you only want your employees in the building from 8 am to 6 pm, you can restrict the hours that their swipe cards or key fobs are operational. If there are after-hours cleaners or maintenance, specifically coded keys, valid only during certain hours and days, or only for a set amount of time, can be created. In your business, there may be certain areas, such a personnel managers office with sensitive files or customer information, that needs to be more heavily restricted than other areas. Keys can be coded to only allow certain employees access.

Provide Remote Access for a tech, or after hours when no one is physically available to let them in. With secure electronic access, you can let people in remotely over the internet, and use your CCTV cameras to ensure that they are doing what they need to be. you can also make sure that these workers are not disturbing sensitive information in your facility. This extra security is also a significant deterrent for theft.

Have you implemented access controls for your building yet? if not, you should. A secure environment is a controlled environment, and a more productive, safer environment.

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For more information on why Access Control is so important, then Contact Us Today!