Mobility is Now an Essential Tool for Security Operations

Mobility is Now an Essential Tool for Security Operations

Mobility is Now an Essential Tool for Security OperationsThe ability to control and manage operations from a mobile platform has become fundamental to security professionals. Personnel across all industries are increasingly on the go, and we have become accustomed to being able to be in touch and aware of what is happening 24/7 – wherever we are. The increased efficiency and quick response that comes from mobile communications and information is something we have all come to depend on and to expect; businesses that accept and embrace this truth will have a sustainable business advantage in the future.

Bringing this efficiency and functionality into the security arena is a natural development that builds organically on the rapidly accelerating migration to an IP platform which has taken place over the last few years. It makes perfect sense from a practical usability standpoint, and providers are swiftly jumping on board with mobile apps that integrate or parallel their solutions.

Still, in the rush to get mobile apps to market, it is important to be sure that they are designed to follow best practices to ensure simplicity, feedback and automation of physical security operations, so that they truly enable users to perform needed functions. To this end, a number of basic considerations are vital to the success of a mobility platform for security.

Adopting a customer-centric approach in planning, building and deploying mobile apps for security helps security departments connect with their users and ensures that the final product offers optimal usability, convenience and a superior experience for employees and others. Customer feedback is a key component of every physical security request or transaction, and integration of a mechanism to allow user feedback will provide the necessary data for management to make ongoing improvements to the app.

Many of the individuals using the app will be doing so on their own mobile devices. Apps should be developed with support for all of the leading mobile platforms including iOS, Android and Windows to make certain that the organization will be able to benefit from every employee’s participation. A responsive design will guarantee support for smart devices of differing sizes and resolutions.

The customer-centric approach will also improve adoption rates among users. Adoption is vital to the success of the mobility platform; the program becomes more robust as more users participate. A number of productivity gains will begin to become apparent, as well.

For example, security processes will take less time to complete as users are able to capitalize on travel time and other non-productive time which would otherwise be lost. By minimizing approval and other delays, the process becomes more efficient. Additionally, eliminating the need for multiple peripherals reduces program costs. The mobile app also minimizes installation and IT support costs, helping users to lower their TCO. Most significantly, first responders receive emergency notifications more quickly, reducing response time and enhancing overall safety.

Visitor management personnel who utilize a mobile app to manage the check-in and check-out of visitors will benefit from fast, efficient and less time-consuming processes. A robust app will enable them to perform a wide range of functions from wherever they happen to be. Convenient options may include:

  • Check-in;
  • Checkout;
  • Scanning the ID;
  • Creating unscheduled visits;
  • Group check-in; and
  • Searching the information pertaining to a visitor or visit.

Ideally, the app should come pre-integrated with all of the necessary peripheral devices such as barcode scanner, badge printer, ID scanner, etc.

A visitor management app for mobile devices can empower users to review, approve and/or deny access requests from inside a facility or remotely, and allow visitor self-service check-in and check-out or front-desk administered check-in and check-out via smartphone or tablet. Reports related to visitors’ activities, hosts’ activities, access requests, etc. can be generated at the click of a button. A well-designed app with an intuitive UI will be able to manage requests for changes to physical security access as well as requests for assets such as temporary badges and metal keys. It will also provide an interface for area owners, where they can review and approve or deny these requests anytime while on the move.

Utilizing an intuitive, easy-to-use app for mobile devices enables users to be more responsive and flexible to requests pertaining to the physical security of an organization. Security practitioners can now have a graphical dashboard view and detailed reporting of their overall global physical security infrastructure anytime, anywhere on the screen of their mobile device.

Getting the right information to the right person at the right time is critical to the security of an organization. With the exponential growth of mobile devices, access to critical information in real time and the resolution of business issues while on the go have become competitive advantages and game changing assets for security practitioners. It is now simple for organizations to extend the reach of all of their physical security solutions. In a world of increasing mobility, security will reap the benefits.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • 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.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.