Want to talk about securing your job site?
Contact Us, and we’ll get started.
Access control is exactly what it sounds like – a means of controlling access to a building, a room or area, or a resource. There are applications everywhere, and Albertans use them every day, often more than once.
If you work in a refinery in the Fort McMurray area, and you use a swipe card to unlock a turnstile on your way into work, you’ve used two types of access control before your shift has even started. If you use a fob key to enter an Edmonton parking garage or a keypad to enter your office, that’s two more methods. And if you remotely open and close gates that restrict access to Oil Sands bitumen mine, that’s another.
Why do I need it?
Access control provides safety and security for your team and your operation. It can prevent intrusion, trespassing, vandalism and theft by those who are not authorized to enter your facility. That, in its own right, provides a tremendous amount of stability and peace of mind for your team and your business.
But it also prevents unauthorized access from within your organization. Think about how much sensitive equipment you have in your company’s server room. If an unauthorized employee were to gain access, they may do more harm than good in their efforts to correct a problem they were experiencing. Similarly, if unauthorized individuals were to enter a refinery or bitumen site without proper safety equipment or training, they could very easily get injured. Having the right access control measures in place is a crucial step in preventing unfortunate events like these from happening.
What are the benefits of an access control system?
You Have an Added Level of Safety
We touched on this, but it’s worth repeating. Having an access control system means that unauthorized personnel, whether they are employees or members of the public, will be prevented from gaining access to areas they are not permitted to enter. This protects your staff and the equipment your operation relies on.
You Keep Private Information Private
Whether it’s personnel records, proprietary information about business processes, or confidential information about clients, access control systems can ensure only those permitted to obtain this information are allowed. Physical access control systems will prevent them from gaining access to restricted areas, while logical (computer-based) will safeguard the information your network. We’ll talk more about these two types of access control in another blog.
You Know Who Is Entering and Exiting
With an access control system in place, gaining entry requires some kind of credential – like a PIN number, fob key or access card. These credentials can be unique to the individual. That means you know which authorized person is entering or exiting an area. And, with all activity being logged, you know when the entry or exit occurred. This provides a greater degree of traceability and accountability in the event of an incident.
No Need to Carry Keys
This may seem like a small thing, but if you’ve ever had to run back to your desk, or drive back across town, to get a set of keys you forgot, then you know the frustration that can come with it. More advanced access control systems do away with the need for fobs and key cards, replacing them with thumbprint scanners. The ‘credential’ (your thumbprint) is unique to the individual, just as an access card would be, providing an added level of security while removing the need to carry anything extra.
Getting Started
If securing all or aspects of your business is a priority for you, then access control systems are a must. Different operations will need different levels of security, depending on the assets on site and the work being conducted. To discuss the system that fits your needs, Contact Us and we’d be happy to help.
Tridon is a full solution Telecom Systems Integrator with CSA certification and licensed by APEGA. Our Engineering, Service and Tower Divisions collaborate with customers to build engineered solutions including communications systems design, tower inspections and co-location, wireless broadband, fiber optic cabling, site security, and two-way radio communication.
