Useful Measures to Prevent Unauthorized Access

Useful Measures to Prevent Unauthorized Access 

Causes of Physical Security Breaches

Unauthorized access may be gained by an outsider as well as by an in-house employee. Both physical access to a building by a stranger or entry to a server room by a staff member with no permission are examples of unauthorized physical access. Although a security system may have various loopholes, most commonly unauthorized access is gained thanks to:

·        Tailgating – i.e. an act when unauthorized people follow through a door someone who has an access card

·        Weak doors that can be easily levered or broke in through

·        Smart cards which can be easily hacked

·        Lost or stolen keys

·        Portable devices such as laptops, mobile phones and USB drives

·        Unlocked server room doors

·        Insider threat, etc.

 

Any of the above mentioned loopholes create security gaps which can be taken advantage of. Because of an unauthorized access companies may be subjected to physical theft of devices and equipment, compromise of electronic information, identity theft and vandalism. What’s more, human lives can be endangered too. Therefore, it is important that a company addresses any of the existing loopholes and prevents possible threats.

How to Combat Unauthorized Access

First and foremost, you need to define how unauthorized access can occur at your company and develop a program aimed at eradicating any possible loopholes.

Different levels of security are crucial to prevent unauthorized access. Robust access control system, employee control and emergency response help prevent unsanctioned access to facilities, devices and information.

·        Begin with perimeter security. Make sure you use fences, gates, guards and video surveillance around the perimeter.

·        By installing motion detectors and alarm systems you can attain an additional level of security.

·        Implement identification cards to verify people entering the premises, including visitors, contractors and personnel.

·        Lock up areas with sensitive information. It is also advised to enforce delay control on server room doors. Check out our guide for server room requirements.

·        Conduct background check of employees before onboarding. "Onboarding" is the process of integrating a new employee into an organization, training and orienting them.

·        Make sure you have a new hire forms checklist thanks to which you can verify your new employee’s work eligibility.

·        Set up different access control levels. Each employee should be granted permission to enter facilities depending on their role within an organization.

·        Use cable locks for computers in order to prevent theft of electronic devices.

Desktop locks are aimed at protecting computer equipment from theft.

·        Lock up sensitive files or USB drives in safes or drawers.

·        Develop an emergency plan and train employees to troubleshoot possible security issues and inform of any suspicious behavior they notice.

It is important to remember that security starts at a physical level. By implementing measures aimed at preventing unauthorized access you can protect your assets, information and personnel from internal and external security threats which otherwise might have a detrimental impact on your business.

6 Reasons your business needs gates and barriers

6 Reasons your Business Needs Gates & Barriers 

Although the onset of the coronavirus saw a significant decrease in crime rates across the India due to enforced lockdown, there are very few reasons for businesses to take this as a sign of things to come. Indeed businesses should take this time to consider their security protocols and begin to address any shortcomings in good time as restrictions lift. Here we will look at some of the benefits of two of our most popular forms of perimeter security: gates and barriers.

1 – Barriers and gates are strong deterrents against crime

Time and time again we hear stories of criminals that have acted on opportunity when committing a crime. A broken fence, unlocked door, insufficient lighting, the list goes on. Having outdated, broken or a complete lack of perimeter security almost guarantees you to be viewed as an easy target by criminal gangs. Barriers and gates are the first port of call for many perimeter security overhauls because they actively send out a message that your business is not going to be easy pickings.

 

2 – Barriers and gates allow you to control movement

While tools like CCTV are a great way to monitor the flow of traffic and pedestrians throughout your site, they do nothing to act on it. One of the main shortfalls of CCTV is that it simply takes a record of actions. The job of dealing with any issues is left to others. With barriers and gates, you can proactively limit entry to your site. With the use of pin pads, tokens, and fingerprint recognition you can reduce the need for manpower to administer front-of-house duties.

 

3 – Real-time savings

This brings us to our next reason to invest in gates and barriers. Perimeter security is essentially an investment in your future. These enhancements protect you from the disasters that follow on from a serious crime. Businesses that are victims of serious crimes like theft, burglary, vandalism, and arson can face significant losses in several different ways. The initial impact of stock loss or damage, losses from downtime for your business, and an impact on your customer relationships or reputation are all very real consequences. They can be successfully averted by investing in your security needs before the worst happens.

 

4 – Curb appeal

Gates and barriers are often the first thing that visitors to your site or passers-by will see. A high-quality installation will provide a level of professionalism to your company brand and reputation and show that you care about the safety of your employees, assets, and visitors.

 

5 – Privacy

For businesses that operate in sensitive areas or highly competitive fields, privacy is often high on their agendas. Gates and barriers extend your footprint to the far exterior of your property and mean that the only people who can approach your site are those who you have given explicit authorisation to do so.

6 – Restrict vehicular access

Smash and grab type crimes are on the rise. This is when a perpetrator uses a vehicle to approach their target quickly, commits their crime, and then escapes again before the police arrive. By utilising gates and barriers you can effectively shut down the chances of a speedy approach or escape and thwart their plans.

 

No matter the size or nature of your businesses, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organization. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us on ssaintegrate@gmail.com

Sliding Gates vs Swinging Gates

Sliding Gates vs Swinging Gates 

Gates add value and security to your property. They’re also your main control for access to who goes in and out and serve as a point of entry to your home, business, and land.

The first electric gates were invented in 1881, and the benefits of the automated gates have also evolved, catering the needs of each generation of homeowners and business owners to increase the security and the convenience of opening and closing an entry point structure. Automatic gate systems use electric motors to open and close gates through the use of a transmitter.

When it comes to perimeter defences, the first thing that will likely jump to mind is the image of a security gate, and rightly so. Security gates are often the first line of defence for many businesses when it comes to keeping intruders away, establishing a strong perimeter, and sending out a message to criminals.

However, when planning defences for a site, or considering upgrading your existing measures, it’s important to think carefully about your needs and your site capabilities. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular options of gates and how they compare.

Swinging Gates

Swinging Gates are an excellent option for many businesses. As the name suggests they swing open and shut in a wide arc. Often priced cheaper than sliding gates, they typically don’t include motors or electronics. Swinging gates don’t require concrete work or steel beams, they are low maintenance and make little noise during operation. This means that they are well-suited to isolated or rural sites, or large expansive sites where access to the grid is more limited.

If considering swinging gates as a solution for your site, you should think carefully about the available space on your premises. Swinging gates need enough space to open internally and externally in a wide arc and so might not be suitable for some sites where space is at a premium. They might also be less suited if you have particular needs for high-tech upgrades such as access control equipment or other electronic support.

Sliding Gates

If you are looking for gates at a site where space is less readily available then sliding gates may be a more sensible solution. Rather than opening and closing in an arc, sliding gates slide in and out along a track or trackless cantilever system, which both employ less of a footprint.

Sliding gates are often seen in more commercially-led settings, entrances, and residential driveways. They can be employed on rough ground and even on sloping ground if required. They are a good choice if you operate in a setting that has high-wind speeds and other unpredictable weather factors.

Unlike swing gates, sliding gates can be upgraded with access control equipment such as electronic keys, cards, fingerprint biometric readers and intercoms. These additions will always make a site more secure, however, they do come with added costs.

Confuse as to what type of gate to choose? You might wanna consider these insights.

The main advantages of sliding gates are:
• They aren’t affected by wind
• They don’t take up space on your driveway when opening and closing
• The gate can slide from the left or the right, depending on where you have space
• If you don’t have the space required, there are other types of sliding gates, such as telescopic sliding gates or bi-parting sliding gates, that take up less space.

The advantages of double swing gates:
• A double swing gate takes up less area when in operation
• They are less affected by wind
• As the weight is distributed between two gates, there is less stress on the swing gate motor, posts, and hinges.

The advantages of single swing gates:
• There are only one gate and one set of hardware to automate it, so you’re up for less installation and maintenance (assuming you purchase quality parts, as the load on all parts will be greater).

General swing gate fitting information:

• With swing gates, there are two options as to where to install the hinge. You can install the swing gate opener on the sides of your posts parallel to each other facing inwards, or on the side that faces into your property. If you do the latter, the fixings are hidden by the posts and the swing gates take up less space. 
• If your driveway slopes up from the road and there’s no room for a sliding gate, you can install a swing gate that opens outward. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with public spaces.

Get in touch

Arranging effective perimeter security is not something that you should go at alone. No matter the size or nature of your business, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organisation. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or Email us on ssaintegrate@gmail.com

Access control in education sector

Access Control in Education Sector

Controlling access to school campuses and buildings is an important issue for school administrators. They need to maintain a user-friendly, welcoming school climate while ensuring that the facility is safe and secure, both when school is in session and when the buildings are unoccupied.

What is access control?

Access control provides the ability to control, monitor and restrict the movement of people, assets or vehicles, in, out and round a building or site.

Access control is essential for all businesses to protect people and assets and has the added benefit of being expanded from controlling, for example, a single entrance door, to a large integrated security network. There are also huge potentials in terms of integrating HR and other systems, such as Time and Attendance, Visitor Management, ANPR, Fire, Intruder and CCTV, which can cut costs and streamline administration costs.

What risks does the average office face and how can these be countered by access control?

Electronic access control systems are increasingly being used to enhance safety and security in educational establishments.

The average educational establishment has a transient population with many high value goods such as computers and IT equipment, not to mention the personal possessions of staff and students, which are extremely attractive for thieves.

Access control systems are all designed to allow access only to people with the necessary authority to ensure that goods and people are protected.

Educational establishments have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for pupils and staff and the application of access control can therefore help manage known or anticipated threats.

Generally systems comprise three component parts:

1. The physical barrier – to physically restrict access to a building or location via such methods as:

• Doors: secured by either a electromagnetic or strike Lock or can be revolving or sliding.

• Turnstiles and speedgates: designed to limit access to one person for one card presented.

2. The identification device – There are a number of different technologies used to identify users of an access control system, such as:

• A proximity card and reader using RFID – cards can either work at a short read range or a long read range.

• A smart card and reader.

• A swipe card and reader.

• PIN pads.

• Biometric (fingerprint, iris scanning).

3. The door controller and software – The door controller and software are at the heart of the system and are used to decide who can gain access through which access point at what time of the day. These can vary dependent on the size of the system and how many readers or sites you are trying to control from one point.

Some of the options include:

• A standalone door controller linked to a single door with no software.

• A number of door controllers all linked together to a single PC to control one site.

• A number of sites all interlinked together over a wide network area.

What added benefits can access control systems bring to educational establishments?

Protection during school hours is paramount, and the following added benefits come from access control:

Visitor monitoring

In an environment where visitors can blend in with the staff and pupils, the use of PC and computer networks should be considered. These systems can print photographic ID and allow access to be restricted to certain areas within the office. Moving to a software solution for visitor management is an easy and inexpensive solution and can provide a number of added benefits.

The system was designed to ensure the smooth operation of a 100,000 square metre complex, spread over five buildings with both students, staff and visitors accessing the different facilities sometimes at high volumes. A Smart Card system was developed which provides not only access to designated areas, but also allows all sites to be linked via a modem, allowing administration from a central point.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

For college and university sites where students may be driving in and parking onsite, Automatic Number Plate Recognition may be a viable option. To monitor the entrance of vehicles on site, CCTV-style cameras and computer software can be used to identify number plates of vehicles. Some systems can also store photographs of the driver and vehicle for subsequent analysis. This sophisticated software allows critical information to be passed to the police to assist in the pursuit, identification and capture of offenders.

What key considerations should be taken into account when considering access control?

The outcome of the risk assessment for your office will determine the level of security you require and in turn influence your choice of access control system to be used. BSIA access control members and professional security consultancies can assist with this.

BSIA members go through rigorous checks before they are admitted into membership, meaning you are selecting quality companies to achieve peace of mind. Below are just some of the reasons why you could benefit from using the services of a BSIA member:

·        Independently inspected to the quality standard ISO 9001 with a UKAS accredited inspectorate.

·        Compliant with relevant British and European Standards and codes of practice.

·        Financially sound.

·        Professional.

·        Staff vetting conducted (where appropriate).

·        Technically proficient.

·        Committed to quality training and development.

·        Up-to-date with the latest developments in British and European policy and legislation.

Is there any legislation I should be aware of?

The Disability Discrimination Act was amended in 2005 and has significant impact not only in terms of the design of new systems, but also means that many systems may need to be upgraded to ensure compliance. This is of particular importance also for educational establishments as employees, pupils and visitors will all need to have adequate and user-friendly access to the building.

The BSIA has created a guide to help design access control systems following the introduction of the revisions which can be downloaded from www.bsia.co.uk/publications

Other legislation to be considered in relation to educational establishments is:

National minimum care standards

Health and Safety at Work Act

Occupiers Liability Act

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations