Access control is an essential part of facility security. Traditional access methods, like keys, can have their place, but can also increase risks and leave facilities at risk for unauthorized entry. Keyless entry can help make facility access more secure and allow for more efficient access management. Here are a few reasons to upgrade to keyless entry:

1. Traditional keys carry security risks.
2. Access control systems provide efficient access.
3. Access levels can be customized.
4. There are logs and records with access control.
5. Keyless entry and access control integrate with other security systems.

1. Traditional Keys Carry Security Risks

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to keyless entry is that traditional keys carry security risks. Although key cards can be lost and biometric spoofing exists, the risk is minimal with a managed access control system compared to traditional keys and locks.

Traditional keys can be easily duplicated, lost, or stolen. Traditional keyed locks can be picked and leave your facility vulnerable to unauthorized entry. These are common security concerns for hotels that apply to any facility with secured areas and doors. With keyless entry and an access control system, these risks are eliminated.

Key cards or codes can still be lost or stolen, but the access is individual and can be revoked quickly and easily via the access control system to close this potential security gap. Plus, these types of credentials are harder to duplicate.

In a similar situation with traditional keys, you can change the locks if you know a key was lost or stolen, but this is a process that takes time, and you may not know about duplicate keys until a break-in or theft occurs.

2. Access Control Systems Provide Efficient Access Management

Another one of the reasons to upgrade to an access control system with keyless entry is that it provides easy and efficient access management. With keyless entry, you can control who has access, when, and where from within the system. You can easily, quickly, and efficiently set up, change, adjust, or revoke access as needed.

You don’t have to wait for keys to be turned in if someone should no longer have entry; you can just revoke access within the system, and they will no longer be able to gain access with that card or code. This type of efficient access management is one of the biggest benefits of access control systems.

3. Access Levels Can Be Customized

With access control systems and keyless entry, there is one set of access credentials per person. Not only can you manage individual access credentials, but you can also customize permissions and levels of access for them.

There may be some areas of your facility that only certain people are authorized to access. A good access control system will allow you to set up and manage access and permissions for various areas of your facility, and with varying levels of access. You can even define timelines to allow for temporary access. These are factors to consider in an access control system.

4. There Are Logs and Records With Access Control

With traditional keys, you don’t necessarily know who has them and who is using them. With keyless entry, access credentials are associated with a specific person. A good access control system will provide logs and records that you can reference.

You’ll know who is entering the facility, the entrance they’re using, and when they are gaining access. Not only is this essential for investigating an incident, but being able to automate and track these things is one of the ways access control systems save businesses time and money.

5. Keyless Entry and Access Control Integrate With Other Security Systems

Access control systems can integrate with your other security systems. Video surveillance systems and other systems are common integrations. Access control can also integrate with alarm systems to trigger alarms on secure doors when an unauthorized entry is attempted, shut off alarms based on authorized access controls, and more.

In hospitals with a maternity ward, access control systems can be integrated with nurse call, video, and infant security systems to trigger an alarm and lock down doors and elevators on a specific ward to prevent infant abduction. This is one of the ways to enhance the infant protection system in your hospital.

Upgrade Your Access Control With NEPPS

These are just a few reasons to upgrade to keyless entry and modernize your access control. The right mix of security products and solutions will vary based on a facility’s unique needs and operations. Working with an experienced security systems integrator can help ensure your facility has the comprehensive security it needs. If it’s time to upgrade your facility security, contact NEPPS at 1-800-736-1456.