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If you want to improve security in your office, you need to understand the access control technologies available right now. So, what kind of access control technologies are emerging in the security sphere, and how can they benefit your business? Here we will discuss the top access control elements for the modern office that can revolutionize your security operations and daily building use.

Access Doors 

Access doors are an essential element in construction and property security. You must ensure that your switchboards, plumbing, and other critical building management features remain accessible only to authorized staff members. You can use custom access doors to ensure these resources are safe on your property. 

Installing locks for these doors allows keyholders to enter while preventing intruders from accessing your building management tools. If someone were to access your switchboard and turn the power off in your building, this could lead to an emergency or security breach, and restricting access to these resources is essential.

Use access doors to protect equipment, hazardous materials, and hazardous areas. To prevent any falls or injuries on the premises, a high-security roof access door can help restrict access to your roof area, reducing your liability in an accident on site.

Cloud-Based Vs. On-Premise Access Control

Considering which access control solution is best for your business, it’s a good idea to know the difference between cloud-based and on-premise access control solutions. Cloud-based security technologies have become increasingly popular, offering a more user-friendly security experience than their on-premise counterparts. 

To help you understand why cloud-based technologies might be the right choice for your business, let’s cover the pros and cons of cloud-based and on-premise systems.

On-Premise Access Control

On-premise access control is an older version of access control. Below are some pros and cons to help you evaluate whether an on-premise solution suits your business.

Pros

• No cybersecurity exposure - with an on-premise system, your security data is stored in a secure on-site server room. You do not need to worry about cybersecurity, as the information would only be accessed on-site.
• Reliability - on-premise servers are reliable in case of a blackout or internet outage, as they do not require internet access.

Cons

• Maintenance requirements - your on-premise system will require server maintenance. To maintain your servers, you will need to call a service engineer to book an appointment and arrange a convenient time for them to come and repair or update your system.
• Complex wiring systems - to connect your access control door locks across the site, you must invest in installation services to fit complex wiring systems. Due to the wiring needs, you will need help scaling this solution as your office space grows.
• Server storage - an on-premise access control system could be detrimental to your ROI on office space investments, as you will need to allocate space for server storage.

Cloud-Based Access Control

Now that you understand more about on-premise systems, let’s discuss cloud-based access control.

Pros

• Remote management - you can easily view your security data, operate door locks, and check the status of door locks from anywhere using a browser-based control center or mobile application.
• Over-the-air updates - you can troubleshoot over the air and update your system over the air without needing to call a service engineer to come to your office location.
• Integrations - cloud-based access control systems offer open API integrations that allow you to integrate your security tools and apply software integrations to enhance the function of your system.
• Cloud-based servers - your cloud-based access control system has a decreased need for storage space, as it is less reliant on server storage. To scale the solution, you can easily expand your storage with a cloud-based data center.
• Wireless connectivity - your access control readers operate using WiFi, cellular, and BlueTooth communication, eliminating the need for complex wiring systems.

Cons

• Increased cybersecurity needs - when storing your security data in a cloud-based location, you must implement stringent cybersecurity measures to ensure this data is secure and not accessible to third parties.

Mobile-First And Touchless Access Control

With cloud-based building entry systems, you gain access to one of the latest access control technologies - mobile-first and touchless access control. Mobile credentials are being adopted at a rapid rate by businesses all over the world. Rather than rely on keycards and fobs, and fund replacement costs for lost or stolen fobs, you can simply implement mobile keycards that users can download to their mobile devices.

With mobile-led entry, your employees can enter the building without touching a button, pin pad, or device. Instead, they can enter by simply waving their hand over the access control reader, providing more hygienic touchless entry. The access control reader will use three modes of remote communication simultaneously to ensure entry on the first attempt. The user does not even need to remove their mobile device from their pocket or bag.

By creating more convenience for building entry, you can ensure that your access control is not a barrier to productivity. Implementing sophisticated access control technology is an excellent way to demonstrate your business’s value to visitors and clients when they enter your office.

Integrations For Your Office Access Control System

With cloud-based access control technology, you gain access to software integrations that allow you to automate processes and improve ROI on your security hardware investments. You might consider implementing one of the following integrations to enhance your access control:

• Visitor management software - automates the visitor management process for more reliable visitor data and an improved visitor experience.
• Wellness verification software - provides users with digital surveys to fill out before entering the building to collect data regarding COVID-19 symptoms.
• Occupancy management software - provides information regarding your building’s occupancy levels for smarter building management.

Summary

The access control sphere has become incredibly saturated with new technologies in recent years. The emergence of cloud-based security technologies makes security more user-friendly, accessible, and manageable. It has also expanded the function of security tools, allowing them to be used for HR, admin, and building management purposes. Consider cloud-based access control for your security strategy.