It’s troubling to think about physical security risks in the workplace. However, a recent study found that workplace crime is rising due to increased aggression, growing numbers of weapons, and economic and social factors. A separate study found that the high cost of living is driving more workplace theft.
In the digital realm, attacks increasingly blur the lines between physical and cybersecurity. Attackers are using digital exploits to gain access to buildings and steal laptops and other devices. They also use social engineering tactics to bypass physical security measures.
These and other trends highlight the growing importance of robust physical security measures. A core component of any physical security strategy is access control. Organizations of all sizes need the right technology to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas.
Why Access Control Is Essential
Access control systems reduce the risk of theft, vandalism and other malicious activities, and help create a safer working environment. In emergencies, access control systems can facilitate quick lockdowns and generate real-time occupancy reports for efficient evacuations.
Physical access control also plays a role in data protection. By limiting access to critical areas such as server rooms and data centers, organizations can safeguard sensitive data, intellectual property and valuable equipment. Many government and industry regulations mandate robust physical security measures to protect data.
Modern access control systems create detailed, time-stamped logs of all entry and exit events. This information is crucial for post-incident investigations, providing a clear record of who accessed a specific area and when. Access logs also help pinpoint vulnerabilities and assign accountability. Documented security protocols and audit trails help organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements.
Developing an Access Control Framework
Effective access control requires a combination of strong policies and consistent best practices. Organizations should start by identifying critical assets and sensitive areas to determine which areas require the highest levels of security. A formal, documented access control policy should outline who can access what, when and under what conditions.
It should also define roles and responsibilities. Multiple people should be involved in critical processes to prevent one person from having too much control.
Organizations should use a role-based access control model to assign permissions based on job functions. Role-based access control streamlines management and minimizes privilege creep. Users should be granted the absolute minimum access required to perform their duties.
Staff should be educated in access control protocols, such as not sharing credentials or “tailgating” and reporting lost fobs or suspicious activity immediately. Organizations should also develop and test incident response procedures, including lockdown protocols and emergency access plans.
Choosing the Right Technology
Of course, it’s essential to have the right access control technology. Electronic access control eliminates the need for managing and rekeying physical locks when keys are lost or employees leave. Access rights can be granted or revoked instantly, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing long-term costs.
Best-in-class solutions make it easy to manage access rights from a single, centralized platform for better visibility, consist application of policies and easier auditing. Provisioning, modifying and deprovisioning access rights can be automated to ensure that the system is kept up to date. Multifactor authentication provides stronger security for sensitive areas.
The access control system should be integrated with other security tools to provide a more robust security posture. Access activity should be monitored continuously and access logs audited regularly to identify anomalies or potential policy violations.
Why Verteks Recommends Verkada Access Control
Verkada Access Control is a cloud-based system that unifies enterprise-grade hardware with a simple, scalable management platform. It allows for centralized management of all access points and integrates seamlessly with other Verkada physical security solutions. Contact Verteks to learn how Verkada Access Control can help you prevent unauthorized access and reduce workplace security risks.
