Protecting the Puppets

Atlanta’s beloved center for puppetry arts undergoes upgrade to electronic locks

Located in Midtown Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts is the United States’ largest non-profit organization dedicated to the art form of puppetry. This popular destination—which welcomes more than 150,000 visitors from all over the world each year—is home to some of puppetry’s most recognizable figures including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and many more. In fact, beloved puppeteer Jim Henson, accompanied by Kermit, cut the ceremonial ribbon when the Center opened to the public in 1978. The award-winning center, which focuses on performance, education, and the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, has become a leading voice in the field of puppetry and serves as host for numerous conferences and festivals.

Center for Education

The Center for Puppetry Arts is housed in the former Spring Street Elementary School, part of which was built in 1918. A capital campaign has provided for a multi-phase improvement plan that included the construction of two new galleries (Phase I) and renovations of the existing building (Phase II).

The newly constructed galleries include the Jim Henson Gallery and the Global Gallery. The Jim Henson Gallery features approximately 75 artifacts highlighting Henson’s career including puppets from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and Labyrinth among others. The 75 items on display are rotated from more than 500 puppets and objects donated by the Henson family. The Global Gallery is a visual representation of how puppetry has crossed cultural lines and includes more than 175 puppets and artifacts from the 3,000-piece Global Collection representing five continents.

The center commissioned Atlanta’s Operational Security Systems (OSS) to provide security including access control for both phases of the construction project. The challenge, said OSS president Jim Coleman, included many key components:

  • Provide an access control solution that would be affordable for the non-profit.
  • Replace the use of the standard keys.
  • Be technologically advanced and future-proof.
  • Work seamlessly between the new construction and the existing, older facility.

All about Access

Liz Lees, arts producer at the Center for Puppetry said that the access control system would have to accommodate the Center’s 50-plus doors and 75 full- and part-time employees who are on different schedules and require varying levels of access. As a museum and a tourist attraction, the Center has public areas where visitors are free to roam, but also has more sensitive areas like archive storage and offices that require extra security.

Coleman recommended SALTO Systems electronic lock products and supporting Pro- Access SPACE software to provide access control for the Center for Puppetry Arts because it met all challenges including affordability, innovation and ease of use.

Coleman described the revolutionary virtual network data-on-card technology as an innovative and affordable way to achieve the latest in access control. SVN provides the flexibility for an access control system to grow, as needed, from a small number of doors and users to numerous doors and users. It allows stand-alone locks to read, receive, and write information via an encrypted and secure data-on-card system that utilizes the capabilities of RFID read/write technology. In SVN, all access data is stored on and distributed by its operating credential. When presenting a credential to an offline standalone door not only does this control access rights to that door but, thanks to two-way communication, the door also writes data— like blacklist information or battery status— back to the smartcard. The smartcard then transmits this information back to the server via online wall readers that update and receive information from the cards anytime and anywhere in the facility.

“Because the Center for Puppetry Arts had such a variety of needs, we used a little bit of everything from SALTO’s vast electronic lock product line to work in concert with the SVN technology,” Coleman said.

Among the products installed at the center are the XS4 Locker and XS4 GEO Electronic Padlock. The XS4 escutcheon’s easy-to-install design makes it simple for security professionals to upgrade and replace mechanical-key-operated door locks with the latest electronic access control solution.

Versatile Solutions

The XS4 GEO electronic padlock is a versatile locking solution that enables users to benefit from the advantages of electronic access control where previously it was only possible to use a mechanical locking solution. The XS4 Locker brings all the advantages of an electronic access control solution for lockers and cabinets such as those used in the offices and administrative areas. The electronic and mechanical components are located on the inside to enhance the security against vandalism or manipulation.

Lee said employees mainly use key fobs to gain entry into secured areas; however, some have also chosen to use an RFID wristband for access since it allows them more freedom to use their hands when carrying items.

To manage the system, Lee and the center’s facilities director use ProAccess SPACE, a web-based access control software that offers a modern, user-centered interface for varying skills, capabilities and security levels.

“ProAccess SPACE is user friendly and it’s great to be able to access the program easily from different computers,” Lee said.

Phase I of the project, which includes both new galleries, is complete and Coleman said he looks forward to expanding the solution for Phase II, the upgrade of the existing building.

“SALTO Systems originated in Europe, which gave them a great deal of experience in working with older and historic buildings,” Coleman said. “That is one of the reasons why they are an excellent resource for projects that involve upgrading facilities to the latest in electronic locks and access control. We look forward to completing Phase II and enhancing the original facility with technologicallyadvanced electronic access control.”

Lee said she looks forward to expanding access control to Phase II. “Our experience so far with the installation has been great. We can’t wait for the rest of the project to be finished.”

This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Nearly Half of Companies Exclude Cybersecurity Teams When Developing, Onboarding and Implementing AI Solutions

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3