Lockdown!
Advances in technology have made wireless locks a sound investment
- By Minu Youngkin
- Apr 01, 2016
Wireless locks are increasingly becoming the solution of choice in commercial facilities
worldwide. Because of the levels of security and convenience they offer
building owners, facility managers and occupants, it’s not uncommon for these
systems to be expanded beyond the main facility and into areas such as parking
garages and warehouses. As these systems are affordable and quick to install, the
most difficult part of the process is often simply deciding which solution is best
suited for a particular facility.
Advances in Technology
Recent advances in technology have eliminated many of the tradeoffs that wireless
customers had to accept in the past. Latency was once the biggest challenge
to wireless systems, preventing customers from managing their systems effectively
and causing headaches for installers and integrators. But today’s wireless systems
offer users the same options that were previously only available with a hardwired
system, including bi-directional communication and access to real-time audit information.
Customers no longer have to deal with extended delays and latency as wireless
systems now communicate in less than five to 10 seconds, practically real time.
New systems have much lower power requirements that result in greater battery
efficiencies, giving customers increased flexibility when managing their systems.
Recognizing the value of wireless solutions allows you to help your client secure
doors that were traditionally difficult to run wires to in the past, and increase
the security throughout their facility. A wireless solution also allows for a quicker
installation that causes minimal disruption to their environment. Perhaps most
important to your clients, a wireless installation is much faster than one that is
wired, so the installation is quick and cost efficient.
Extending Access Control
As more businesses adopt electronic access control (EAC), there is a greater appreciation
for the value it provides, namely, enhanced security, more efficient management
and greater convenience.
In fact, now businesses are not only adding access control to their main facilities,
but they’re asking security integrators how they can extend it to parking
garages, warehouses, storage units and other buildings not connected to the main
facility. Successfully extending the security perimeter to remote locations requires
careful evaluation.
Limitations to extending access control include data transmission and potential
costs. For starters, an extended access control security plan must address how information
will be transmitted from the new security points back to the main server
or controller.
The nature of the building environment and application of each respective access
point being targeted will determine which type of system is appropriate. Most
buildings have a dynamic environment, and, depending on the nature of activities
within the building, the customer may need to consider more than one type of
wireless solution. If a customer needs to be able to communicate remotely to an
access point in real-time, they should consider the use of 900MHz or Bluetooth
Low Energy (BLE). Both enable frequent bi-directional communication; however
they generally require a wireless gateway of some type.
Alternatively, if the targeted application does not require real-time communication
of access privilege changes and audits, a wireless offline solution such as
Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) may be appropriate. Access decisions are made at the door rather
than at a host or access control panel. The door file gets into the lock through a
Wi-Fi or wireless connection, but the lock is effectively offline. The door maintains
all the information and updates the host and access control software on a periodic
basis, perhaps once or twice a day.
Oftentimes, extending access control becomes a phase two or three initiative
for a client. A client may know what they want, but the fiscal planning may occur
over a period of time.
In those cases, it’s typically best to create a scalable plan that ensures the IT
infrastructure and associated products are “future-proof.” Design an open platform
system that will provide the end users with many options now and in the
future, rather than locking them into a proprietary technology that forces them
into a specific product or brand and another significant investment if they want
to make changes.
Coordinate with IT
Another issue that must be considered during planning and something your
clients may not have thought of is the demands access control will place on
bandwidth and internal networks. In many companies, there remains a clear
division between physical and cyber security departments with little interaction
between the two.
While physical security managers may be slower to recognize and understand
the potential significance of these demands, the best security systems integrators
recognize the importance of involving IT from the beginning of a project, rather
than as an afterthought. With EAC growing significantly in the marketplace,
you’re likely to cross paths with IT now more than ever before. Taking a collaborative
approach confirms that IT infrastructure is up-to-date and all products will be
equipped to work in the future.
It’s important to remember, though, that not all wireless locks need to be networked
to function effectively. Standalone wireless locks may be a good solution
for some or all doors, depending on the scope of the installation, and are a good
solution for clients who may not have the IT infrastructure to support a fully networked
system.
Communication is Key
There are multiple options within the wireless market to help address what the
customer is looking to do, but it’s important to have a strong understanding of
their long term needs and goals as well as any special considerations or limitations.
Be prepared to point out discrepancies between what they want versus what
is actually needed.
A lower level of connectivity may be sufficient for some customers’ needs, while
others might need to have real-time engagement with the access point. Understanding
how your client is planning to utilize the respective
openings in a building is the best guide in the selection of wireless
solutions to deliver the targeted customer experience. And
as always, make sure those solutions are backed by a reputable
manufacturer who can provide the necessary support and service
after installation.
This article originally appeared in the April 2016 issue of Security Today.