Transition without a hitch

Feb 1, 2000 12:00 PM, Kate Henry

When U.S.-based financial services leader Deloitte & Touche was faced recently with the obsolescence of access control hardware at two of its Pennsylvania locations, downtime in the access systems was not a desirable option. The company turned to Norristown, Pa.-based Security Services and Technologies (SST) to provide security solutions that would keep access control at its Philadelphia and Allentown offices on track.

Without causing a hitch in the firm's daily operations, SST designed and delivered two discrete but compatible HID proximity card-and-reader systems that work seamlessly with existing Software House access software at both locations. According to Ron Chero, Deloitte & Touche director of technology services, the new systems have also provided the firm with significant cost savings.

In addition to a financial advantage, aesthetics were an important consideration in selecting the HID systems, points out SST account manager Bryn Palena. The HID cards are thin and easy to manipulate, she says. To complement the elegant offices of the global financial leader, SST installers tucked the new proximity readers out of sight, behind mahogany paneling, resulting in unobtrusive but effective access security. The readers indicate when access is granted or denied with an audible beep and switch of a light.

"Our biggest challenge is securing our space and managing the resources used to do so, such as systems, cards and people," says Chero.

"Additionally, our organization is growth-oriented. New employees are brought on-board every week. With so many new faces, it is imperative we have a reliable and effective means of both granting access to our employees, and disabling access to anyone other than our employees."

With nearly 700 cardholders at the two sites, Deloitte & Touche was also concerned with the timely issuance of new cards. To ensure that daily operations at the company were not impacted negatively and that security was not compromised, the entire user database was initially duplicated and transferred off-site, says Palena. When SST was ready to come on-site to install the new readers, the advance preparation resulted in a quick changeover to the new system.

Independent systems by design According to SST vice president of marketing and customer service Tom Catagnus, Deloitte & Touche maintains independent security systems at all its worldwide sites, and the two Pennsylvania sites are no different.

Catagnus says that though SST has the ability to dial in to the two access systems in the event of a service or data management issue, Deloitte & Touche maintains its own user data. Having the access systems monitored at their respective sites provides them greater control over their operation.

There are five system administrators at the Philadelphia location and one in Allentown. Administrators run the system software on PCs in dedicated computer labs and are responsible for addition, deletion and modification of user status, as well as report generation. They also monitor the extra layers of access security that have been designed into key areas such as the computer lab and file rooms, says Palena.

Deloitte & Touche was clear about its desire to have independent access systems at these locations, but wanted to ensure that employees traveling from one Pennsylvania facility to the other would be able to access both, explains Catagnus. The HID cards delivered the capability to do so.

"Our internal access control system provides the means to manage and control our space," says Chero. "Detailed information is collected and analyzed, and more specific information is used when an exception occurs. As a result of implementing a system separate from our building security, we are able to easily manage and adjust our security requirements in an ever-changing environment."

When a system administrator adds a new user to a system at the Philadelphia or Allentown locations, the user's card then has the capability to grant access at both locations. Each system currently works under Software Houses C-CURE 750. Should Deloitte & Touche decide in the future that they want the systems to be networked and administered from one site, it would require only an upgrade to Software Houses C-CURE 800, says Catagnus. "Looking ahead and anticipating future solutions are important parts of what we do for our clients," he says.

At the Philadelphia office building, facilities management administers an additional perimeter access system, and a force of security officers is responsible for patrols.

Working partners SST is a technology-driven company that believes it is vital to partner with its clients to effectively address their needs, says Catagnus. The company has recently instituted an engineering group to address the IT component when it arises in system installations.

"For Deloitte & Touche, we are already looking down the road and anticipating their changing security requirements," he says. "Software House, for example, is currently beta-testing a new product that is networkable but Web-based, enabling the client to use the Internet to obtain information on service calls and system changes. It may not be appropriate for Deloitte & Touche, but it is an example of the way products are being developed in response to customer needs."

According to Catagnus, physical security measures that Deloitte & Touche is considering for the future include CCTV and a badging system that uses their new access cards. "Having recently upgraded all of the components of our security system, our immediate plans are geared toward enhancements such as photo ID, additional exit sensors and additional readers within our space," says Chero.

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© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

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