5 Top Tips About Intercom & Access Control Installation At Your Kent Premises

Increased security and convenience are just two of the benefits of an intercom or access control installation at your Kent business.

Here are the top 5 things you need to know.

1. ACCESS CONTROL WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF KEYS

If you're still using mechanical keys to access your business, you're behind the times!

Mechanical keys and standard locks may seem like a convenient option for access control, but they come with a lot of hassle.

There are a couple of major examples of this:

• If someone loses their key, you have to change the locks and cut new keys for everyone else.
• If you have a building with lots of different doors. Some poor person has to carry around a huge bundle of keys.
• If you have a building with lots of different doors. Some poor person has to carry around a huge bundle of keys.

And with no audit trail, if there is a burglary or 'incident', it's impossible to know who has had access to the keys or who went into which room.

Thankfully, there are more advanced access control systems available nowadays.

Electronic access control systems allow you to gain access using fobs, keycards, codes, fingerprints, or even retinal scans.

Plus, features like anti-pass back ensure that your access control is always secure.

So why deal with the hassle of keys and standard locks when access control systems offer a much more efficient solution?

2. 3 DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ACCESS CONTROL

Most access control systems will be one of the following:

• discretionary access control (DAC),
• mandatory access control (MAC), and
• role-based access control (RBAC).

Each type of access control system works in a different way to give you control over your property. So you can let the right person in!

Discretionary Access Control

Discretionary access control is a good choice for smaller businesses, where security is required for one or two doors. It's less restrictive compared to other types of access control systems. It allows the business owner complete control over who can come and go.

They can set security levels and permissions for other people, and can also easily give someone their entry key or the code for the entrance to allow them access. It's a standalone access control system, localising security to the door itself.

This type of access control is generally not secure enough for larger businesses or any situations that require levels of access to be monitored or delegated.

Those requiring a higher level of business security might need to consider the two other types of access control.

Mandatory Access Control

A mandatory access control system delivers a higher level of security compared to a DAC system. When there needs to be increased security and protection of data, mandatory access control ensures that only the owner and system administrator can manage the access control... not individual employees. Using this type of system, the administrator will classify employees and give them access to certain areas but perhaps not others.

Although this can provide for businesses with slightly more sophisticated security needs, it's still best for a small to medium business. Each time a new person needs to be assigned a label that gives them access to relevant areas, or when someone leaves and permissions need to be removed, it has to be done manually. This wouldn't be practical for businesses with a large number of employees.

Role-Based Access Control

A role-based access control system for doors assigns permissions based on the end-user's role within the organisation or household. This type of control access system puts a system administrator in charge of access.

And their security permissions are based on their responsibilities and the role that they perform. Instead of individually assigning permissions to someone, they will be automatically given the required permissions because they have been labelled with their role, which has the correct security levels attached to it.

Access control like this is ideal for large businesses with more members of staff, but can also be useful for smaller businesses or households looking for extra security.

Taking these three types of access control PLUS one of the individual situations below should give you an idea of the best access control solution for you.

3. ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR APARTMENT BLOCKS

Door Entry Systems For Residents

Keys are no longer required to access a home within an apartment block. Residents of apartments can get in or out of their flats using a proximity reader.

That's a key fob or access card that can be programmed to open the door to each flat. And the same fob or card can be used to enter the block's main entrance. There is usually an exit button inside the main front door to get out.

Most property managers will use a mandatory or role-based access control system. So each fob/card is completely independent from all neighbouring flats. If they lose their card or change one of their tenants, only their fob/card needs to be changed.

Intercom Systems For Visitors

Again, intercom systems are ideal for controlling the access of visitors to apartment blocks.

An audio-only intercom means the visitor can buzz an individual flat and the resident can have a conversation before granting access. But, if they can't see the visitor, they still can't be sure exactly who they are letting into the building. That delivery person with a parcel might not be as innocent as they sound.

We recommend an audio-visual intercom for the owners of apartments. Visitors still press a buzzer that sounds in the apartment. But a video screen means the resident can see as well as hear the visitor. And view ID before letting anyone in.

Again, all from the comfort of their sofa using their smartphone.

If you are a property manager who looks after an apartment block, get in touch. We can help you to modernise your access control or integrate it with your other systems.

4. ACCESS CONTROL INSTALLATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES

Unless its a retail store, business owners don't want just anyone walking into your building or site whenever they please.

An access control installation provides tailored security for the gates and doors, allowing only authorised individuals to enter. And tracking who goes into any sensitive areas.

Physical Access Control Installation For Commercial Properties

Physical access control (PAC) can be gates, barriers and bollards to control who comes onto your site. Or turnstiles and intercoms that control who gains access to your building or to restricted areas in your offices, like your server room.

Commercial Electronic Access Control System

When you install physical access control, it comes with access control software. This Electronic Access Control (EAC) covers each barrier, electronic lock, card reader, fob, card, etc, that protects entry to and exit from your site or offices.

Access Control Solutions For Employees & Regular Contractors

In Vehicles

Vehicular access can be controlled with barriers, bollards and gates. These, in turn, can be manual with keypads, fobs or swipe cards. Or automated with proximity cards or even ANPR cameras.

On Foot

To control access to buildings for employees and regular contractors on foot, turnstiles or door entry systems with keypads, fobs or swipe cards can all be used.

Once inside, access control can also be used on internal doors to monitor access to restricted areas, like server rooms. For particularly sensitive areas, these can use biometrics or retinal scans.

Access control installations can also be used to manage time and attendance or roll call if there is a fire or emergency.

Some systems, can also be programmed to ensure that contractors cannot come onto certain areas without the required insurance, qualifications or other documentation.

Access Control Solutions For Visitors

Access for visitors' vehicles onto site can be controlled automatically by programming the registration number for ANPR cameras to pick up. Or manually by having them use an audio or audio-visual intercom and being buzzed in once authorised.

To gain access to the main building, audio or audio-visual intercoms can be used for manual or automated door entry. And then fobs or proximity readers can be programmed for any internal areas depending on their permissions.

5. ACCESS CONTROL INSTALLATIONS FOR AUTOMATIC GATES OR BARRIERS

Depending on your security requirements, these can be operated by intercom systems or automated with fobs or cards.

The same drawback of a discretionary access control system applies here.

For commercial premises, it is better to have total control on site. So role-based access control or mandatory will limit access rights. This means only authorised people can get in to restricted areas.

ACCESS CONTROL INSTALLATIONS IN KENT, SURREY & THE HOME COUNTIES

Controlling access to your premises in Kent, Surrey & the Home Counties is critical in ensuring that only authorized personnel are allowed in. Our access control installations are ideal for businesses that require different levels of security clearance. We can help you install an intercom system, proximity card readers, or biometric devices to ensure that your business premises are secure.

Click the Get Your Quote button below to speak to an expert at Quartz Empire about access control installations for your premises.