If you run a business, it is imperative that you protect your investment. Thanks to the rapid rise of technology, what was once considered new-fangled quickly becomes outdated. Take magnetic stripe cards; these were once seen as the premium solution that showed how high-end and tech-savvy your business was. Now, you can find kits online that allow easy duplication of such cards for around the price of a decent lunch!

Many businesses in the UK face a challenging situation where they need to invest heavily in new forms of access control. In the last year alone, over 452,500 counts of shoplifting were reported. These figures show us just how prominent crime is within the commercial sector. Whether you run a retail business, an office block, a warehouse, or any other kind of commercial or business property, you need to think very carefully about security. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away!

You should consider various forms of access control to help make your business safer. 

What Is Access Control?

As the name implies, access control systems help you decide who has (and lacks) access to your business. You can use these for simple access entry to the building itself or even to cut off and control access to certain parts of the building. For example, in an office, you might wish to keep staff out of certain areas that are accessible only to security or management. In a business that handles sensitive materials, you might use access control systems to limit access to those with the right clearance. 

You might even find use for access control in a retail setting. While the shopfront is accessible to all, the back end, where you keep your storage and staff room, could be locked away using access control. These devices provide electronic locking that stops people from gaining entry past a certain point unless they have the required credentials. Access control systems provide an extra layer of security over normal locks.

But traditional locks should still be utilised when you’re burglar-proofing your home. Partner with a professional locksmith to install anti-snap cylinders, reinforced deadbolts, or electrified strikes that align with your access control hardware. Locksmiths can assess vulnerabilities in doors and integrate locks with systems like RFID or biometric scanners by doing a free premise security check, ensuring seamless operation and maximum security.

Weak locks undermine even advanced access control, so you must prioritise impenetrable hardware and expert installation.

Grading Access Control Clearance

In most businesses using access control, there will be a simple one-grade system; you either have access or you do not. In more large-scale businesses or those with multiple departments, though, you might wish to use graded security instead. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) suggests that you have graded access control instead of a one-size-fits-all grading system. 

Grades allow you to create access based on the risk factor behind each door. You might wish to have areas where your staff can access, but only up to a certain point. You may have departments where only staff from certain groups should be able to enter. By creating a grading system, you can minimise risk and make sure that people only get clearance to areas they are capable of dealing with.

The higher the grade, the more adept your access control needs to be. For example, most ‘Grade 1’ access control systems see this as a low-risk entry. For example, you could use Grade 1 access control to stop people from walking off the street into your workplace premises. Most of the time, this will be managed by an on-site staff member or by the use of a standalone code like an access PIN.

Grade 2 systems, by contrast, tend to be suited for smaller businesses and those in the hospitality sector. This could include using individual keycards to open each room (such as in a hotel), though this obviously comes with the risk of people cloning these cards. For most Grade 2 systems, an online-based system that uses unique PINs will be the recommended setup, with real-time monitoring provided by a trusted member of staff.

Grade 3 systems are used for areas that should not be accessed by those without the necessary skills. These could include stock rooms in a retail environment, data centres, security rooms, and similar areas. These should be handled using either biometrics or two-factor authentication, such as a PIN code and then a secondary NFC entry (see below). 

The most high-risk areas will fall under a Grade 4 system. These include high-security areas with major-value assets or incredibly personal data. This system is usually used for areas like laboratories or areas where criminal risk remains high. It could involve both NFC and biometric scanning, as well as having someone on-site to manage all access requests. 

What Access Control Systems Are There?

Now that you understand the importance of grading and system variety let’s examine the types of access control. The challenge with access control is that many types of devices fall into this category. To help you find the right access control method for your business, let’s examine the various types of access control systems available today.

Standalone Access Control 

The most basic form of access control is a standalone system that blocks certain points of entry. Anyone who wishes to go beyond this point will require the right kind of clearance. For most smaller businesses that only need to lock away one area or want a simple form of access control, this is the best place to start. These standalone systems remain the most cost-effective and easy to install.

However, standalone access control is not enough for a larger business with multiple points of entry, various departments, or large numbers of staff. Your systems administrator could be overworked simply dealing with people needing access to certain areas of the business. There are more robust methods of access control that larger businesses can use instead.

Network-Based Access Control

The next model on the market is managed using either a cloud-based or location-based access control system. These are controlled using a central point, and both cloud and location-based access control systems provide more robust customisation than the above standalone alternative.

Most choose to have a network access control network that is based on-site. There is then a server on your business premises that can be easily accessed from multiple terminals. This could be a PC or even a smartphone or tablet. The systems admin can then provide or revoke access as needed. Most of the time, this is done by setting standard roles for individuals. Those who have X roles can access X areas, but those with Y roles can access Y areas; Y cannot enter X, and vice versa. While being part of the local network, this is not part of the wider internet and thus should be harder for someone to hack into. 

Cloud-based systems are online and store their connections away from the place of business. They can easily accessed using mobile devices, PCs, and other devices. The benefit of cloud-based access is that people can give access even when they are out of the building. Much like on-site network access control, people can be assigned certain permissions and access based on whatever factors feel most suitable to the business. 

However, since these are controlled online, some feel they pose a minor security risk if a hacker breaks through the system and takes control of permissions. Either option, though, makes a more robust setup than using the standalone access control method described above.

Managing Access Control: What Options Exist?

Of course, for someone to be able to gain access through the access control terminal, they need to meet certain credentials. Most of the time, this access becomes possible by having a certain form of access, such as a passcode, keycard, or biometric scan. Believe it or not, traditional locks are still a viable access control management option for many UK-based businesses. For smaller premises or low-risk areas, standard locks often suffice, though they lack the audit trails and remote access management of electronic systems. The most common forms of access control include:

PIN Codes

Arguably, the most basic method of access is a PIN or access code. These codes need to be memorised by the individual using them, but they provide an easier sense of access that is easily distributed among staff and visitors. However, some believe that PIN codes are insecure as they can easily be shared with others. In terms of affordability and accessibility, though, PINs remain the easiest.

We would not recommend using PIN code-based access control for areas that contain sensitive data or highly valuable equipment. Most PIN code entry access control systems can be brute-forced, so they should be avoided in areas where a higher standard of security is needed. In terms of ease of training and memorability, though, PIN code-based access control works very well indeed.

Another negative is that PIN code entry is much harder to track. Unless you create a unique PIN code for every staff member, it becomes tough to know who was where and when.

RFID

The other most common option for access control today involves using RFID systems. These are very effective because all it needs is a keycard with an RFID chip associated with the right credentials. You can have these produced in high volume and handed out to staff across your business. They are generally more secure than using PIN codes, but skilled criminals can easily clone cards.

By scanning the card on the access control terminal, people can quickly gain access to the area(s) of business they need to enter. RFID scanners make it easy to lock out people from areas they should not be, so it works well from that perspective. If cards are lost or misplaced, though, you might need to replace every card, which is a further waste of resources.

NFC

NFC access continues to become more popular, with mobile access seen as a more modern system. However, it would be wise to do this through the delivery of a business-only smartphone device. While these could still be lost, it is less likely of a risk than having staff install a company app on their smartphone. 

NFCs work well because they do not have to be printed or made; they are simply part of a mobile app or similar network-based function. So long as work phones come with secure access control themselves, such as biometric scanning, it becomes harder for someone who steals one of your business phones to use them to gain unlawful entry. In terms of adding another layer of authentication, NFC does a good job of that. The easy setup and the personalised nature of access, too, make tracking easier.

Biometric Scanning

In terms of security and clonability, it would be fair to say that biometrics are the top option for access control. While some criminals have the tools to fake biometric scans, they are a fraction of those who can brute force a PIN code or get access to an RIFD card. Biometrics can be anything from fingerprints and retina scans to voice patterns and more. You have great control over who gets access to where with biometrics, but the cost of installation and implementation is a valid concern.

There is also the data privacy aspect; not all staff members will be happy to provide biometrics like this. While these remove the need for physical access, some find that having their biometrics saved on their work database raises privacy concerns. For the most secure and hard-to-fake form of access control, though, biometrics win the day.

Things To Consider For Better Access Control

If you choose to invest in an access control system, you are making a very wise choice indeed. You should think about the following, though, to make sure that you make a decision that feels best for your business. Think about the following before moving on:

• How secure do you need to be? Are you happy to trade ease of access for clients and potential customers for a lower risk of theft and break-ins? We recommend something more robust than a basic PIN or lock-and-key entry for any business serious about security! 
• Think about the kind of business you run and the products you sell/services you provide. Do you need extra protection to protect all your stock or just the high-value assets, i.e. jewellery?
• What do reports on crime rates in your area show? Does your business reside in an area with high rates of crime and thus a higher risk of people breaking in? Do you need extra access controls?
• Does your budget stretch to standard access control like PIN codes and RFID systems, or should you save to invest in higher-scale systems like biometrics?
• Think about your staff numbers, too; how many people do you need to provide access to? If you have anything north of 100 employees, it might be wise to invest in mobile credentials or biometric scanning for greater security. How many staff do you have?
• What about guests? What system will you implement to provide access to one-time guests, such as visitors, potential partners, service providers, and suppliers? Will this be handled on-site, remotely, or by using one-time entry codes?
• Consider scalability, too. If your business grows further, will you need to invest in more of the same security? Or will you look to buy into a more robust form of access control? Running a massive biometric database can become very expensive, but NFC-based access control remains more affordable even if you need to invest in business handsets for staff.
• Will you integrate your access control with other security systems? If so, how easy is this? Can your supplier of other security systems integrate your access control systems? Or will this be a challenge? Find out from your security supplier what options you have beforehand.
• How long will training take? If you use a simpler system, staff might find uptake quicker and easier. For more advanced systems, it might take longer to scan and test every biometric, but you get the peace of mind that your systems are more robust. 
• Have you installed sturdy locks to ward off disgruntled ex-employees? Physical locks remain the last line of defence in your commercial property security. So, you should get anti-snap cylinders, reinforced deadbolts, or electrified strikes (common in access control systems) to resist forced entry. Also, avoid generic locks, as weak hardware undermines even the most advanced access control setup.
• Lastly, how will you have the system fitted? We never recommend DIY installation or using an unverified vendor. Most access control suppliers also offer installation and compatibility with your other security systems. While it might cost more, this is a worthwhile expense.

Take the following into account when reviewing your security setup. Access control systems make a great addition to any business in the UK, but only if they are installed correctly and used accordingly. Consider the above carefully before deciding on what form of access control is right for your business. Generally, though, there will be a suitable system out there. With the rise in crime, make investing in access control your priority!