Security Systems Integration

Oct 1, 1997 12:00 PM, BILL RICHARDSON

Increasing employee acceptance boosts success of access control systems. Regardless of how secure and efficient an access control and alarm management system is, if it is not accepted by employees at the facility it serves, its implementation may not work. Dissatisfaction among personnel can lead to the abandonment of a perfectly good access control system - even forcing removal in some instances.

The problem arises because, although management has a reasonable idea of what to expect, many personnel tend to perceive a restriction of their freedom and feel a sense of distrust when management integrates an electronic access control system. To help ensure successful implementation, management should work with the system integrator to develop strategies that will reduce potential resistance.

A basic strategy for boosting employee acceptance of your system involves the following steps:

* sell the considerable benefits to employees and to the company; * be open about the mechanics and operation of the system; * integrate a technology that will receive high employee acceptance; and * train employees and security staff.

Sell the benefits The daily news is full of frightening stories about actions of vengeful former employees, disgruntled co-workers, acts of corporate terrorism, parking lot assaults and other reports of violence in the workplace. Workplace violence alone should be enough to convince most employees of the importance of an integrated electronic access control system, which can:

* prevent undesirable elements from sneaking into a building; * prevent access by suspended or terminated employees; * create multiple levels of security throughout a facility, e.g., allow everyone into one area, only some into others, and only one into an office; * reduce the likelihood of theft of personal property and of company material or information; and * protect cars from vandalism and theft.

In short, an integrated access control system can translate into reduced expense and improved profitability and employee security.

Other little-known benefits of sophisticated systems can be found in the information stored in them and how that information is used. Customized employee information can help the company communicate better with its employees, enhancing a pro-employee image. For example, by configuring a system to store personal employee information, a company can set up programs to acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries, arrange car pools and alert employees if something has happened to their car in the parking lot.

Acknowledge the facts Nothing you do will eliminate the "Big Brother is watching" perception that users may have when you implement your access control system. You might as well be up front with the mechanics of the technology, so your employees do not feel as if they are being deceived.

You can help ensure acceptance of a system by involving employees in the early planning stages of implementation through surveys or general meetings. Identify and address potential employee resistance. Be open to concerns and ideas employees might have. If employees sense you are being honest and open with them, they are more likely to be open to the benefits of a system.

Discussions about your access control system should include explanations about basic operation. For example, almost every system produced today recognizes cardholders individually. They can also produce a "log message" in real time when a card is used. A system owner will likely want to have some kind of history available about card use. A printer can be attached to the terminal so that all logs are printed at the same time they appear on the screen. More sophisticated systems replace the terminal/ printer with a computer host system, which can store log messages on the computer's hard disk.

Explain your policies regarding the use of logged information.

Choose the right technology The access control technology you use can have a major impact on whether employees accept your system. There are many options available in today's integrated access control systems, the more popular tending to be magnetic stripe and proximity.

* Magnetic stripe systems are often desirable for their relatively low cost. While technological advances are being developed to enhance the security of magnetic stripe cards, they can still be counterfeited or erased, and the magnetic media can peel from the card. Magnetic stripe cards also require high user involvement (grab card, swipe, wait, put card away). The security of magnetic stripe can be enhanced by using an integrated keypad with each magnetic stripe reader, but that option may sacrifice the cost advantages that make magnetic stripe attractive.

* Proximity is a popular access control technology for its hands-free convenience and low maintenance. Proximity tends to be easy to use since the card and the reader do not have to touch; the user holds the card within the radio frequency emanating from the reader. Some card and reader combinations can provide read ranges of up to three feet, and most proximity cards can be read through a pocket, wallet or purse, helping to eliminate lost, forgotten or stolen cards. Passive proximity cards are also durable over the long term because they do not require batteries or maintenance.

Proximity has tended to be expensive, but the affordability gap between magnetic stripe and proximity is closing.

* Multiple technology credentials provide even greater flexibility and security by allowing facilities to integrate multiple technologies at each door and to implement different technologies to address specific applications, while requiring users to carry only one credential for all applications. For example, using a multiple technology card, a college campus might use magnetic stripe for low-security access control, a combination of proximity and keypad for high-security access control, magnetic stripe for point-of-sale transactions in the cafeteria and book store, photo ID for areas controlled by security guards, and smart cards for storing medical and insurance data for the health center.

Locking hardware In addition to choosing the technology that will receive the highest employee acceptance while maintaining the highest level of security, give serious consideration to implementing quality components throughout the system. No component is more important than the locking mechanism you choose. The locking device is where the rubber meets the road. A cheap electric strike can be the death of a system. When the vice president of sales cannot get in at 3 a.m. while on his way to the airport, he is not going to blame the strike; he is going to blame the access control system and the security administrator.

Put the money in the door frame and everybody will be more satisfied.

Train for success Proper training can contribute to the effectiveness of your system and enhance user acceptance. Training can begin even before the system is implemented. Teach the proper methods of card use. For a magnetic stripe system, make sure the card holders know the required orientation and optimum swipe speed for their cards. For proximity, make sure the card holders know how to present the proximity cards to the reader; they should know the optimum read range for each type of reader that has been integrated.

Involve your employees in the training, especially when training system operators. Also, do not hesitate to take advantage of training programs offered by the system manufacturer.

All the preparation and effort will be paid back many times over with the willing use of the system by your employees. When your employees know why the access control system exists, how it benefits them, are involved with the implementation, and know how to use it, they will feel a part of the process and will put up little resistance to the integration of the system.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue