Security Entrances Move to Center Stage

• By Amanda Powell
• Nov 30, 2023

Most organizations want to show a friendly face to the public. In today’s world, however, the need to keep people safe and secure has become a prime directive when designing and building facilities of all kinds. Fortunately, there is no need to construct a fortress-like entry that provides that high level of security. Today’s secured entry solutions make it possible to create a welcoming, attractive look and feel at the entry without compromising security. It is for this reason that security entrances have moved to the mainstream.

Workplace violence is a threat which has risen sharply during the past decade. The risk is highest for jobs that involve direct contact with the public, such as law enforcement, healthcare, and the service industry. While many of these attacks are personal, they can take the form of an active shooter or other type of assault that impacts many individuals within one organization.

Any potential attacker must first gain access to the premises of a campus or the interior of a building. Even with access control in place, a criminal can still often slip through an entrance on the credentials of the person preceding them, a process known as tailgating. Another variation, piggybacking, involves the collusion of two individuals passing through a secured entrance together, using one authorized credential.

Another fast-growing hazard is cyber threats. Many of the worst attacks of the past few years have taken place on the premises of the victims, as hackers have gained physical access to server rooms, IP phones and on-site connected devices. Often these criminals will slip through an access point using tailgating or attempt to present fraudulent credentials.

Security entrances can effectively mitigate these risks through technology. As mentioned above, tailgating can be identified and access denied as it is happening, instead of relying on alarms and security officers to prevent a criminal from entering a facility. Dual-factor portals with facial recognition can ensure that the person attempting to enter matches a valid set of credentials before the second door is opened.

Cybersecurity is a hazard on many levels – it damages short-term profitability and long-term business continuity while exposing the organization to liability, both professional and personal. Security entrances have a unique ability to prevent this danger.

Loss prevention can also be effectively mitigated by secured entry solutions. Retailers are increasingly deploying security entrances to help curtail losses while maintaining welcoming, secure environments for their customers.

Security revolving doors and interlocking mantrap portals offer the highest level of preventative security by thwarting unauthorized entry attempts. This level of secured entry is also ideal for back-areas such as cash rooms, vaults, and storage areas that are off limits to unauthorized staff.

Smash-resistant laminate film is an easy add-on that prevents smash-and-grab burglary amongst a range of existing glass-equipped security entrances. This type of glass solution is engineered to withstand a range of impact forces, from blunt objects to sharp tools. When applied, the laminate film causes glass to crack like a spider web when hit, instead of shattering into multiple pieces. Because the treated glass cannot be easily broken, the extra time and effort required provides a significant deterrent to assailants looking for fast and easy targets.

Beyond risk mitigation, security entrances deliver other significant benefits to organizations. For example, security revolving doors contribute to sustainability objectives while also supporting a more secure environment. With a revolving door, eight times less air is exchanged than with a sliding or swinging door. Further, when integrated with direction motion sensors, revolving doors only rotate when a user is exiting or entering the building. This helps to promote sustainability, along with energy savings, lower maintenance costs, and improved temperature stability within facilities while also preventing unauthorized access attempts.

Another benefit can be found in the prestige and elevation of brand image provided by secured entry solutions. A lobby that reflects brand values delivers a positive first impression for potential new customers, employees, and guests. Security revolving doors, optical turnstiles and portals can be designed with a variety of different materials, glazing options, and architectural finishes to complement a facility’s design aesthetics.

Finally, pedestrian traffic flow and patterns must be properly managed to avoid congestion and provide a positive experience for staff and visitors. Traffic flow is also an important concern for business with a large population of workers who are paid hourly and whose time doesn’t begin until they scan their ID upon entrance. Should a crowd gather, and the entrance process move slowly, it can cause frustration for those waiting to scan and start their hours. The best secured entry solutions can help maintain swift, orderly entry and exit.

While secured entry solutions have always been considered a desirable and prestigious choice for entry control, now they have moved to center stage. In today’s world, they are recognized as a necessity for the many advantages they offer.