Do you know who is entering and exiting your building every day? Are you positive? To keep your business safe from theft, break-ins, violence, and trespassers, as a business owner, you need to ensure your access control is up to standard.

If you’re only using locks and keys for your employees (or nothing at all at the entrance), you may be overlooking gaps in your security. If you manage a large building with hundreds of people coming and going in a day, it can be difficult to notice a criminal entering until it’s too late. That is, unless you have access control in place.

If you’re wondering what your options are or what access control means, continue reading to start securing your Corpus Christi, TX business.

Tap Key Card to Enter

The next step up from regular keys is the key card. Your employees will each be issued their own automated card that they will keep in their wallets and use to enter the building. ID photos can be printed on the cards, and guest passes may be issued at the front desk and printed in minutes.

Key cards add a layer of security that surveillance cameras may miss, as anyone who is not meant to be in the building will be stopped at the turnstile or door. However, if an intruder can steal a card or slip in behind someone, they will still be able to enter. Cards may occasionally be lost and stolen, but unlike metal keys, you can deactivate cards instantly.

Enter Code on Pin Pad

To tighten your security even more, install a pin pad reader at your building’s entrance for employees to input a unique code to unlock access. Specific codes can permit a user access to several rooms and hallways while prohibiting it to others. Unlike an ID card or key, a pin code cannot be stolen, and can easily be disabled when not in use anymore. Entering a key code may take a little longer than tapping a card, but no longer than turning a metal key and will offer much more security. 

Scan Fingerprint or Retina

At its most advanced, access control can also include biometric scans, a reliable method that verifies the identity of those entering the building. You can install devices that read fingerprints, hand geometry, retina eye scans, and facial recognition. Only those who have willingly registered their identity in the database will be allowed to enter, and the system will catch those who have been flagged previously.

While biometric access may sound far-fetched and a little scary, most of us already use fingerprint scans and facial recognition on our phones every day. Biometric access is nearly impossible to forge, making it the safest choice for access control.

Ready to discuss access control options with a technology professional? If you’re near Corpus Christi, Circle Industries is happy to help. Give us a call at (833) 424-7253 or submit our query form here.