Three reasons to upgrade your access control system
Upgrading from older, legacy technology to a new access control standard is a significant initiative. However, recent advancements have made this transition easier. Organisations can now move from solutions to more dynamic access control technologies that provide greater value. Now is the time to use advances in access control to build a foundation for addressing unanticipated change and evolving security threats. Strong organisations will take full advantage of the opportunities that upgrading to a more modern solution affords.
If you continue to invest in outdated technology, you will never be able to progress to best-in-class access control security and data privacy management or its convenience and functionality. If you begin replacement of older systems with the new technology standards, even gradually over time, you can minimise the risk of a serious breach in future. The best approach is to be proactive.
These are the most common reasons companies are upgrading to an access control system that supports their present and future needs:
1. Data privacy
2. User convenience
3. Flexibility
Data privacy
Legacy security solutions often use proprietary technology that is static, providing little or no possibility for functional enhancement, or the ability to offer higher levels of data privacy. This inability to adapt makes them easy targets for attack.
Why is this relevant?
• As a result of new legislation or regulatory requirements, an organisation may be required to increase its security.
• If a company acquires a new client needing a high level of safety, there may be requirements to improve access control.
• New building tenants may also trigger the need for greater building or campus security, either to protect the parent organisation or to comply with the tenant’s requirements.
The latest high-frequency access control systems ensure security is independent of hardware and media. This makes it much easier for organisations to support new functionality and higher levels of data privacy and the provisioning of secure identity credentials to smart devices
By taking the right steps in moving towards a more reliable, upgraded access control standard, organisations can meet the need for security and privacy with confidence, leveraging investment well into the future.
User convenience
The freedom to move access control to phones, tablets, wristbands, watches and other wearables offers choice and convenience to end users, along with new and more convenient ways to open doors and gates. It is estimated that there are approximately 155 million smart wearable devices currently in use. These truly ‘always-on’ devices are natural candidates for access control applications because of their ready-to-use convenience.
Some smart device sensors, most notably the gyroscope and accelerometer, enable gesture detection. This offers an additional benefit for access control: the ability to open doors from a distance by performing intuitive gestures. This provides an extra layer of authentication for added security.
Flexibility
Organisations need a platform that is flexible enough to support multiple applications for managing not only physical access (for example, buildings) but also for managing logical access (for example, computer/software login, time and attendance, etc.).
Where organisations want to add new applications, such as time and attendance, secure print management, biometrics and cashless vending, this can be used as an opportunity to migrate to a contactless wearable or smartphone that combines access control with these or other functions, enabling employees to carry a single device for many purposes. Administration of these functions should be centralised into one efficient and cost-effective system.
“Access control solutions should enable organisations to adopt future capabilities without disrupting ongoing business operations. While investment is required for change, there is also positive return on that budget commitment. Return on investment is realised through improved security operations, more efficient workflows and/or reduced insurance premiums due to better risk management. Taking steps to avoid a security event impacting the organisation’s workforce or customer data can prevent costly long-term legal issues or brand effects that may take years to overcome.”
