When it comes to safeguarding your commercial property, you need an access control system that is capable of authorization identification and access approval courtesy of passwords, electronic keys and biometric scans.

There are plenty of threats that your business must detect and protect against, such as environmental hazards, terrorism and criminals, so it makes sense to have a system in place that protects your commercial property in a way that limits access to authorized parties only.

If you already have a security alarm solution installed and are wondering about whether or not to upgrade your system to better protect against unlawful entry, read on for a look at best practices when upgrading your system.

1. Separate Network

Even though you could feasibly use a single Network to operate your access control system, tablets, computers and peripherals, you would be better off to set up a separate one for your access control system. It will cost a bit more, but the benefits will outweigh the costs. For instance, setting up a separate one will safeguard your solution from the threat of cyber attacks, since a successful attack on one network need not adversely impact the other. When it comes to setting up a dedicated network, you can do any of the following:

• Set up a network that is physically separate and independent of your other network.
• Set up a virtual environment.
• Segment off a portion of your current network to essentially have what amounts to a separate network within an existing network.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the majority of switches of the power-over-Ethernet variety are required in order to operate Internet protocol-based access control systems. So depending on which switches you currently have, you may have to go with option “a”.

2. Integration Matters

When it comes to access control systems, integration is critical. While such tools were not necessarily integration-friendly in the past, the IP-based nature of many current technologies in the space are such that it is possible to integrate them effectively and efficiently. For instance, you can integrate key components, such as fingerprint scanners, video surveillance and optical readers to create a more robust solution.

3. Get The Latest Features

There are plenty of options available; but whatever you do end up selecting, be sure to get a solution with the latest features, such as remote access, which will allow you or whomever you designate to be able to access the central command component remotely. It’s also a good idea to choose a system that enables notifications to be sent, via email or text, in the event that something needs to be tended to.

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits to upgrading. So take stock of what you have in place and better protect your business interests by looking at your options on the access control systems front and choosing the best option.

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