Banks Modernize Security with ProdataKey's Scalable Cloud Access Control
Regional financial institution unifies security across dozens of branches using remote management and automated compliance reporting tools.
Financial institutions face a unique set of security challenges on a daily basis. Balancing employees, sensitive financial data and strict regulatory requirements, banks require security systems that are both highly reliable and easy to manage across multiple locations. For Tri State Lock & Safe, Inc., delivering that level of protection meant finding an access control solution capable of scaling alongside their banking clients while simplifying day-to-day management.
By implementing solutions from ProdataKey (PDK), Tri State Lock & Safe has helped a growing regional bank modernize and unify security across dozens of branches. Through a phased rollout that began with the bank’s corporate office and expanded across an ever-growing branch network, the cloud-based access control system now secures critical areas, simplifies compliance reporting, and gives administrators powerful remote management capabilities.
Bringing ProdataKey to the Bank
Tri State Lock & Safe began working with the bank several years ago when the financial organization started exploring ways to upgrade its existing security infrastructure. According to David Eaton, Owner of Tri State Lock & Safe, the project began with a straightforward request that has quickly evolved into a much broader deployment.
“We were approached by them several years ago about replacing the system they had at the time,” David explains. “They wanted to switch over the system at their corporate office, add more doors and expand the system to their branches. That’s when we brought in PDK.”
The first phase focused on the corporate headquarters, which served as the foundation for the broader rollout. David and his team replaced the legacy system and deployed ProdataKey to secure the office’s existing entry points. “We started by switching over their corporate office, which had 10 to 12 doors on it at the time. After that, we started doing the rest of their branches.”
As the bank grew, the security system needed to keep up the pace. Luckily, ProdataKey was more than capable of scaling in accordance with the bank’s needs. One of the most recent expansions occurred when the bank acquired a local credit union branch. Integrating the new locations into the existing security infrastructure was a natural next step—and it saw Tri State Lock & Safe add 25 doors to the existing system.
ProdataKey’s solutions are designed to support retrofits as well as new installations, which have allowed David’s team to transition many of these bank branches from older systems to ProdataKey. “As long as there is compatible hardware in place, all we need to do is switch out the panels and bring in a Cloud Node,” David elaborates. “Typically, for these retrofit jobs for the bank, we’re just putting in a Cloud Node and a mix of one, two and four door controllers.”
This flexibility has allowed Tri State Lock & Safe to modernize each location without replacing every single piece of infrastructure already in place. As a result, the bank can upgrade its security quickly and cost-effectively.
Protecting Critical Areas of the Bank
While each branch shares common security needs, no two locations are exactly alike. Different staffing levels, building layouts and workflows mean that access control needs to remain adaptable. “They’ve got probably 40 branches at this point, and the needs really do vary from branch to branch,” David explains. “But generally, I’d say that the main focuses are server rooms, teller areas and exterior doors.”
Exterior access points are the primary layer of protection for most installs. Many bank branches direct employees through designated entry doors that require credentials to unlock, ensuring that staff can enter safely while maintaining a clear record of access activity. Inside the building, several additional spaces require careful access control. IT rooms house critical network infrastructure and sensitive data systems, making them a top priority.
Another key focus is protecting the teller area. “It’s important to secure the doors going into teller areas—it keeps customers from drifting through and going behind the counter,” says David. Thanks to PDK, the bank is able to secure this area and create a clear distinction between public and restricted spaces.
In order to streamline daily operations, Tri State Lock & Safe has configured automated schedules for many of these doors, allowing branches to maintain consistent security practices without requiring employees to manually lock or unlock doors during the day. The PDK system also provides the ability to easily initiate lockdown procedures in emergencies.
“We have a lockdown procedure set for some of these branches, connected back to a manual switch,” David describes. With the quick and easy flick of the switch, the PDK system can be told to immediately lock down specified areas, creating immediate peace of mind for employees and visitors alike.
On top of simple lockdowns and secured spaces, it was very important for the banking corporation to be able to determine access based on employee roles and locations. The Groups feature of PDK.io allowed David and his team to set up customized access rules that meet the very specific needs of the bank.
“IT, administrators and corporate staff have 24/7 access. Then we have set up localized access groups per branch—so someone working at a branch in one town wouldn’t have access to a branch in another town.” This role-based approach ensures that employees only have access to the areas they need, while maintaining clear oversight across the entire network of locations.
Reliable Reporting for Bank Compliance
For banks, access control is not just about physical security; it is also a critical tool for meeting regulatory requirements. Financial institutions operate under strict compliance obligations, and maintaining accurate records is a critical part of the auditing process.
“Reporting is really important for our bank customers, since they do have a lot more regulations that they have to abide by,” David explains. “They get audits from third parties who need to know who accessed a server room or other sensitive areas, so it’s very beneficial for them to have reports and see who accessed a particular door at any given time.”
With PDK’s cloud-based reporting tools, administrators can quickly generate detailed logs of access activity across all locations. Based on the end user’s selected reporting plan, these reports can go as far back as five years—offering unmatched visibility over time. This visibility makes it easier to respond to audits and verify that security protocols are being followed.
The Importance of Remote Management
With various locations spread over a wide area, visiting each branch to resolve minor issues would quickly become inefficient. Luckily, ProdataKey makes it easy to troubleshoot issues from anywhere. With the award-winning PDK.io platform available through the desktop or the PDK Access app, access management tools are never out of reach.
“Honestly, we don’t get troubleshooting calls very often,” David recalls. “But when we do, we can easily hop into PDK.io and show our customers what to do without needing to be on-site. Even if we get a call from a customer while we’re in the field somewhere else, I can open the app and fix a problem right then and there.”
For the bank, this responsiveness minimizes downtime and ensures that security remains consistent across every single branch. And for Tri State Lock & Safe, it allows technicians to support a growing customer without unnecessary delays, travel, or expenses.
A Scalable Security Partnership
As the bank continues to grow, the PDK access control system will continue to easily expand right alongside it. New branches and renovations can all be integrated directly into the same cloud-based platform, giving administrators a unified view of security across the entire organization.
For David and the Tri State Lock & Safe team, the scalability and ease of use have made PDK their go-to tool for long-term developments in the banking industry.