Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
24th April 2024 Issue no. 702
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7 benefits of remote access and monitoring
By Ross Wilks, Head of Marketing Communications, Vanderbilt and ComNet
The unexpected effect on business that the coronavirus pandemic has introduced has given rise to a change across a number of day-to-day activities.
The way we shop, interact and work have all seen exponential adjustments. As workforces adapt to a work-from-home approach, leaders have to find ways to continue to protect assets and people from threats.
Vacant and low occupancy business locations are the new norm. While this unfamiliar scenario can bring about a new set of complications, technology that allows for the remote management of security is increasingly popular for both access control and intrusion, combining the ability to remotely maintain and manage access and oversight. Here are some ways that remote management benefits leaders in today's climate:
Controlling Lockdowns. A number of businesses considered "essential" are continuing to operate with limited staff members onsite to provide critical services, which means access and protection must be maintained. With remote access control functionality, security leaders can provide additional oversight for a location and issue lockdowns in the event of an emergency using intelligence from intrusion, access control and video components. This can protect staff members in the event of an incident, providing the safety necessary to carry out their essential duties.
Restricting Access. Intelligent access control solutions can provide different levels of access based on a person's status, leaving more restricted areas protected. Remote management allows this to happen from afar as the organization's needs change. Administrators can control or limit access to certain areas at certain times of the day to ensure only authorized people are in the building at any one time.
Managing Multiple Sites from a Single Platform. One of the biggest advantages that today's remote access control solutions provides is a singular location to see the status of several locations. A single platform provides information about who has accessed a facility, when they did so, how readers are performing (and whether they require maintenance) and much more. All of this information gives users the ability to make decisions as needed, taking into account the full picture of the organization and those accessing it.
Accessing Diagnostics and Servicing. Working from home while maintaining a network of sensors, such as access control readers, video surveillance cameras, intrusion sensors and more, is cumbersome without the added functionality of remote access. Implementing a solution that provides a real-time view of these sensors and how they're performing brings a high level of control for leaders tasked with protecting critical assets and employees. When a problem is detected, an alert is sent so that leaders can either troubleshoot remotely or contact an integrator to provide the service needed to keep the security solution up and running (and protected).
Verifying Access with Video. The integration of multiple systems and devices is essential to maintaining a remote monitoring posture, with video an essential part of protecting an environment. For example, when a door is forced open and sends an alert to a security operator, video can be used to see what the threat is and allow an operator to provide critical information to first responders. Combined with access control and intrusion data, video can provide more situational awareness across a facility.
Incident Management. Using a remote access control or intrusion solution gives security leaders the tools they need to respond to an incident and maintain protection of a facility. In the event of an emergency, security personnel can be alerted immediately via their smartphone, facilitating a quick and efficient response. Security solutions that specialize in remote monitoring make it easy for security personnel to save time and money while ensuring the safety of people within the facility.
The increasing security threats that organizations face on a daily basis demand that comprehensive solutions are in place to identify risks before it's too late - and this goes for facilities of all kinds. Remote management of access control and intrusion solutions gives security leaders the tools needed to oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility - and in challenging times, this can mean all the difference in providing the appropriate response.
https://vanderbiltindustries.com
17th June 2020