Intelligent Data, Intelligent Buildings: How access control systems can improve modern workspaces
The user data available to security professionals is often limited to information about when people enter and exit the building, which gives little insight into how a space is being used. This is because many access control systems only gather data at the first point of entry (the main building door) and private office doors. This baseline level of data only tells part of the story.
Why does data need to be intelligent?
Many access control systems will provide basic data on who enters and exits a building while helping to prevent security breaches. But forward-looking platforms will go beyond what happens at the door to provide granular insights into how a building is used. Intelligent data will tell you the route a person took and which areas are used most, when, and by whom.
What makes data intelligent?
For data to be ‘intelligent,’ it must be accurate, readily accessible, and easily digestible.
To be accurate, it should capture when a person was in a space without the individual having to do anything themselves, such as badging a reader or signing in to a tablet. These are prone to human error, and people often forget to sign in or out. To ensure accuracy, data collection must be passive and in the background. For example, utilizing Bluetooth beacon-based location services alongside access control can provide valuable granular data about movement patterns.
To be readily accessible, it must be possible to extract and extrapolate without needing a specialist skillset.
To be easily digestible, it must be effortlessly understood by anyone, from front-of-house teams to stakeholders. This often means visual data such as breadcrumbs, heatmaps, and graphs.
How data is collected also comes into play. Intelligent data collection (i.e., automated collection) is far more efficient as it reduces the burden on front-of-house and admin teams, who might otherwise be manually monitoring space utilization, attendance, and facility use. It also makes life simpler for security teams who would otherwise spend a considerable amount of time cross-referencing video footage, time and attendance, access control, and Wi-Fi tracking data for post-incident analysis.
How can teams best maximize data?
Like with any project, it is best to have a clear outcome in mind from the outset. Without a clear goal, looking at reams of data can become overwhelming and ineffective. For security teams, this could be reducing the time taken to investigate an incident, with a clearer picture of where an individual went on a site. Or to gain new capabilities in auditing who used a space such as a secure area without imposing further security barriers such as an additional door and reader.
To further maximize the use of data, security professionals can collaborate with wider teams to look beyond just security breaches.
For example, the goal could be to support facilities management in optimizing the office space to better suit the needs of its users. In this instance, data such as peak usage times and occupancy can be considered to build a picture of how the space is currently being used. The data might reveal an underused kitchen, which could be repurposed into a meeting room or more hot desk areas.
To keep data accurate, it is important not to rely on a single data point. Instead, teams should collect and analyze data frequently over time to understand patterns.
What are the challenges facing security professionals, and how can modern systems tackle these challenges?
The Challenge: Pressure to prove ROI
As with any investment made by a business, proving return on investment (ROI) on security systems is an organizational demand. As traditional access control already serves a basic level of security, the reasons for investing in a new system are not always immediately obvious to decision makers. This leads to complacency and a belief that their security and user experience needs no improvement.
The Solution: Benefits beyond just security
A physical security solution that not only enhances protection but also contributes to an organization’s broader goals can deliver value beyond basic protection and present security professionals a more compelling opportunity to prove the potential ROI of a new system.
The Challenge: A costly hardware bill
Large upfront hardware costs can understandably be off-putting and make upgrading systems more challenging, especially if demonstrating ROI is a concern.
The Solution: Subscription-based models
Some providers now offer a subscription-based model and no upfront hardware costs. This presents an opportunity to get up and running with next-generation physical security without having to explain an eye-watering hardware bill to stakeholders.
The Challenge: Ongoing maintenance
Ongoing maintenance on security systems has also historically been a challenge. Traditional on-premise security systems require manual updates and patches, which are labor- and time-intensive. These systems can also be unsecure, as they are not automatically updated and can fall behind in terms of patches and upgrades.
The Solution: Automate the process
Cloud-based platforms reduce the burden of ongoing maintenance, with automatic platform and reader updates that can be managed remotely. It’s a similar case when adding users to a new system and updating them.
Final thoughts
Intelligent data is key for security professionals looking to prove the wider ROI and business benefits of an upgraded physical security system.
