4 Features To Look For in a Robust Access Control System

Businesses should prioritize the installation of effective security systems since it guarantees the continuity of operations. However, some companies slack in securing their premises despite the high risk of unauthorized admission. Access control systems enable business people to determine who can access their premises, computer networks, and other sensitive spaces.



An access control system (ACS) can be the foundation of your business security apparatus since it makes a premise inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. ACSs come in various models with different capabilities, which allows you to choose a unit that meets your company's security needs. This post explores critical capabilities to expect in a robust access control system.

1. Visitor Management

A robust security system should enable security personnel to manage all guests that enter and leave the premises. This is why you should invest in an access control system with a digital visitor management solution.

This feature enhances security in a business premise by encouraging compliance with company safety protocols. It allows security personnel to capture and feed each guest's information into the system's database and issue a visitor's ID. The ID badge is integrated with the ACS such that guards can track visitors' movements within an establishment and detect suspicious activity. Your business can use captured data to make vital security decisions, including the efficient deployment of sentries based on peak times. 

2. Customizable Alarm Notifications

Businesses rely on ACS alarms to make informed decisions regarding urgent and non-urgent situations. However, a wrong alert can prove costly, especially if it disrupts normal business operations. Often, incorrect event notifications arise from indistinguishable alarm systems. For instance, similar ACS signals for “delayed door closure” and “door forced open” can prompt a lockdown security protocol and halt activities in a business premise.

A reliable ACS must allow a business to customize alarm notifications for various incidents. Personalization capability makes the identification of specific alert sounds easy for security personnel and other employees. This helps guards to act appropriately in urgent and non-urgent situations, which saves your business time and money.

3. Facial Recognition and Notifications

ACSs come in three standard models: Mandatory Access Control (MAC), Discretionary Access Control (DAC), and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). MAC systems are highly advanced since they offer the most restrictive protection. A highly secure feature you should look for in a MAC is an image recognition and notification system. The ability to capture faces and read badge information creates an impregnable layered security system.

This facial recognition feature is vital for companies whose employees have varying access authorization levels. For instance, the system can prevent the use of a lost ID from accessing sensitive spaces by alerting security personnel if the ID and facial data do not match. Thus, an access control system with the feature provides enhanced visibility in highly-protected locations.

4. Custom Reports Generator

The effectiveness of an ACS depends on the range of data it can collect, store and generate. Unfortunately, most businesses focus on devices that produce standard information, such as door activity history. Such a report is only helpful to a certain degree, making it a less effective solution to unique security needs. Therefore, review various ACS models and their capabilities regarding report generation.

An ACS that can generate different custom reports is a better investment because you can use the statements to improve various aspects of security in your establishment. For example, a report on invalid access attempts history by employees can help train staff on the correct use of ACS. Additionally, you can connect an access control system that generates custom reports to a Cloud platform for backup and security of access data. 

Securing your business premises from unauthorized access should be a priority. The process starts by selecting the right access control system that meets your unique security needs. Contact us for expert advice on access control system features that your business requires.