In a modern business environment, a lock and key system is no longer adequate to control who is coming and going on your premises. Keys can be copied, lost, or stolen, and a single misplacement can mean your business must completely replace all its locks. That is why many business owners invest in access control systems. These systems offer several advantages, many of which are highlighted below.

Discretionary vs. Role-Based Access

Discretionary systems allow the business owner to decide who has access to what areas and, sometimes, what information. This is the most flexible type of access control system, and it's ideal for smaller businesses with few employees and little need to protect against theft of intellectual property. 

For larger companies, role-based access systems are best. The security manager decides which employees can access different areas. For instance, engineers might have access to server rooms and network drives that support staff does not. Similarly, department managers may have access to highly restricted and sensitive information in areas that nobody else can enter.

Key Card vs. Pin Entry

Another factor to consider is the method of authorization. Some businesses utilize key card scanners and distribute programmable key cards to employees. Cards are coded to permit access only to certain areas, and each use creates a record in the database. This lets management monitor which employees are in what area, when they arrived, and how long they stayed. While cards are convenient, they are susceptible to loss or theft. However, a lost card can quickly be decommissioned and replaced with another.

Keypad entry is a second authorization option. The security manager must ensure that each employee has a unique personal identification number (PIN), which they'll associate with certain permissions. PINs cannot be stolen, but employees might share theirs unless instructed explicitly not to do so. Encourage your employees to be discreet when entering their PIN into the keypad. 

If you seek the ideal access control system for your business, contact OhmComm, Inc., in the Greater Philadelphia area. Serving the Mid-Atlantic region, they provide secure, controlled access to facilities, and they help business owners with IT services and security. They also offer HIPAA compliance. Learn more about their services on their website or call (215) 467-1444 to discuss your access control system options.