Common Installation Problems in Access Control Systems
30 September 2023
Implementing effective access control measures is crucial for maintaining security and protecting sensitive information within any organisation. However, various challenges can arise when it comes to access control systems. From improper setup to monitoring and reporting failure, these can compromise the organisation’s overall security.
Access Control System Installation
This month we will explore five of the common problems encountered in access control and provide insights on overcoming them.
1. Improper Setup
Effective access control measures are paramount in protecting a business’s sensitive information and valuable assets. However, the absence of proper setup can expose access control systems to vulnerabilities, which could put the organisation’s security at risk.
Remsdaq offers a turn-key solution for all your access control needs which includes planning, management and support. You can view our services here: Integrated Security Systems.
2. Problems with Authentication
One prominent issue with authentication is weak and easily compromised passwords. Users often opt for simple and predictable passwords or reuse them across multiple accounts, which offers an opportunity for intruders.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this: implementing a security measure like multi-factor authentication. It is a security process in which the user is only granted permission to a system after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication—typically something they have, know, and something they are.
This way, they can mandate their authorised people to verify themselves through passwords, or biometric data before having access to their system. This enhances the difficulty of unauthorised access attempts.
Our EntroWatch supports integration with the full range of facial recognition & fingerprint readers.
3. Allowing Too Much Access
Allowing too much access can pose significant security risks and undermine the effectiveness of the system. Granting unnecessary permissions to individual users for the sake of convenience or efficiency can result in data breaches and internal data leaks.
The 2023 Cyber security breaches survey revealed that “Around a third of businesses (32%) and a quarter of charities (24%) report having experienced any kind of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. This accounts for approximately 462,000 businesses and 48,000 registered charities.” – Cyber security breaches survey 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
To mitigate these risks, businesses should prioritise the security principle of least privilege. This means granting users only the minimum level of access required for their specific tasks, based on the principles of “need-to-know” and “need-to-access”.
Regular access reviews should also be conducted by your systems administrator to ensure permissions are aligned with user responsibilities and any outdated or unnecessary permissions should be promptly revoked.
Our EntroWatch supports attendance reporting with a number of standard reports available for printing and export including Daily Attendance, “First In / Last Out”, Absence and Dormancy and supervisor-enabled working time adjustment to facilitate more accurate reporting. Other features include global anti-passback, interlock facility, fire door support, custom badge designer, passback and PIN immunity, custom card format editor and Biometric reader support.
4. Failure to Monitor and Report
Failure to monitor your access control systems results in undetected unauthorised access attempts and security breaches. This delay in detection allows intruders to exploit the vulnerabilities of your system, which can pose a severe risk to your organisation.
Additionally, the lack of effective reporting hinders businesses from gaining valuable insights into their access control activities, including user behaviour, access patterns, and potential anomalies. This limited visibility makes it difficult to promptly identify and address security risks, which can expose the organisation to ongoing threats.
Therefore, they must implement monitoring tools and processes that provide real-time visibility into access control events. This involves monitoring and tracking user activities, access attempts, system logs, and security alerts. This enables businesses to identify any suspicious or abnormal activities that can put a risk to their data or resources.
Our EntroWatch management software package for use with EntroStar and EntroNet controllers provides a live tile dashboard and comprehensive single screen user interface. The system provides a complete solution for monitoring and reporting.
5. Failure to limit capacity in an area
Capacity management is a way of ensuring that there are not too many people in a given area at any time.
Capacity management has become an essential tool for ensuring security in company buildings, this requirement became particularly prevalent during the COVID-19 Outbreak. Unlike other access management mechanisms such as electronic locks, capacity control systems are often employed in areas used by groups, such as main building entrances, clean rooms, car parks, meeting rooms, food and rest areas and lifts.
Our EntroWatch along with our EntroPad has this ability, they can ensure that your requirements are met with capacity management.
Key Points
By acknowledging these common problems in access control, businesses can take decisive steps to fortify their access control. As a result, they can effectively mitigate risks and maintain a secure environment, protect their sensitive information, and build trust among their customers and stakeholders.