In today's world, businesses must store large amounts of sensitive and valuable property and data. Traditional, simple physical security solutions — such as locks and keys — are no longer enough to keep assets safe. Commercial access control systems stand out as effective solutions fit for the modern world, combining advanced technology and physical security.
Physical access control systems assign and enforce access permissions based on one or a series of physical credentials. These can take the form of tangible possessions or irreproducible bodily traits: access cards, mobile devices, keypad entry, and biometrics (fingerprints, iris scanners, facial recognition).
Key cards use access cards as their identification component and card readers to authorize them. They're harder to duplicate and easier to deactivate than traditional locks — often the best option for buildings requiring a simple, efficient, and inexpensive means of entry control. Biometric devices offer a higher level of security ideal for protecting the most sensitive assets, though the technology is more costly and labor-intensive to implement. Mobile access technologies combine the best of both: they rely on smartphones as credentials, are highly convenient since people rarely go far without their phones, and can be paired with smart access control to give administrators visibility over occupancy data from a unified dashboard.
When choosing an access control system, consider scalability as your security needs change, integration capabilities with surveillance systems and HR platforms, and ease of use that balances security with convenience. Overly complex systems frustrate users and lead to misuse; overly simple ones fail to protect your business.
Designing a commercial access control infrastructure that mitigates unauthorized entry while providing a seamless user experience requires careful planning and continuous maintenance — which can prove costly in-house. Kastle provides end-to-end commercial building security with ongoing managed security support, taking the maintenance burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your core operations.