Controlling who has access to the sensitive areas of your business has always been an integral part of any overall security system. However, in the post 911 world, such issues take on even greater concerns and greater challenges as matters of privacy, identity theft and Homeland Security also have to be taken into consideration.

Advanced access control systems can do a whole lot more than merely control who has access to your premise or key areas and when that person has access. They can be used to track specific employees, monitor the locations of high-value equipment or assets, and even verify employee hours and attendance records. Such systems can range from the simple and familiar “card keys” to the most advanced biometric systems using thumbprints, handprints or facial recognition. Integration also means recognizing that in today’s environment, no one security system can do it all. Total security is achieved only with the incorporation of key systems such as intrusion detection, video surveillance and access control. By integrating these separate security systems under a single flexible building automation system, many CEOs have realized lower upfront investments while leveraging considerably more powerful security solutions.

One of the greatest advantages of today’s access control systems is that they can also be  “integrated” into a company’s existing IT infrastructure. That means instead of a huge investment in separate hardware and servers to run and monitor the access system, everything is web-based. Security administrators can access, monitor and control the system simply by logging onto any computer with a network or internet connection. However such convenience does not come without its share of challenges

Even a web-based access control system requires ongoing administrative tasks such as adding and deleting users, changing access permissions, providing reports, etc. But since the system can be cloud based and accessed remotely, that also means that it is far more cost effective than it has ever been to assign such tasks to an outside company. When you let qualified professionals handle everything from installing to operating and monitoring your integrated service, you can also be sure that all privacy and homeland security issues are always complied with.

But this may be the best part. While the pros are doing their jobs and ensuring that your premises are secure and your people are safe – you still have access to the system 24/7 anywhere you have an internet connection, not to mention you can receive email alerts, or live video direct to your desktop or smartphone. Which means you receive all the advantages of powerful access to and control of your system without any expensive IT infrastructure or racks full of on-site equipment, while all operation, maintenance, and upgrades are professionally managed over the web by your security provider. That is a proposition that should make any business owner feel a little more secure.