The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way businesses think about office security. For the past 20 years, managing access to an office building was all about physical security: protecting workplaces from intruders or even terrorists was paramount. As a consequence, office intercom systems developed from mere doorbells to fully-fledged access control systems, including video, alarms, and alerts.
Historically, the reason for upgrading office intercoms was based on minimizing visible threats to office and building security. As companies are preparing to bring their workforce back in-house, facilities managers and HR professionals are fighting an invisible threat. How can you protect your team from Covid-19 infection? Once again, video intercom systems will be part of the solution.
However, as demand has transformed, so has technology. Metal plates with a few buttons touched by everyone needing to enter are no longer acceptable. Instead, leading employers and building managers are offering cloud-based intercom systems, integrate facial recognition, and offer automatic access to individuals who have been vetted.
Integrated, confidential health screening is one of the top priorities, combined with touchless entry. Intercom access control can also help facilitate social distancing and remote access management. Leading intercom systems suppliers are gearing up for the New Normal.
Swiftlane
Swiftlane created a tool that puts employee health at the heart of its office access control system. The goal is to identify staff developing symptoms early, helping them isolate and protect others. This comprehensive feature puts the company one step ahead of its competitors.
The system’s health check tools include a temperature self-check, a PPE management option that allocates supplies, and communications tools to reach everyone. Its capacity planning and scheduling tools take building security a step further. They are especially useful for companies operating on multiple sites with teams and visitors coming and going. Planning ahead and knowing who needs to be where guarantees that social distancing guidelines are adhered to throughout the day and across locations.
The technology is touchless, with access based on facial and mobile technology. Facilities and security professionals manage everything from a secure, cloud-based dashboard that integrates physical security as well as coronavirus protection.
Openpath
Openpath promises to work both as a standalone technology as well as integrate with existing security and access control hardware and software. This may be a good option for organizations that installed major physical access control systems after 9/11 and are now looking to extend these to include covid-19 protection.
The system works for office buildings and multi-family homes. Its technology is capable of integrating with identity services to vet visitors to your organization’s building. At the same time, video management services also tie in with Openpath, and the framework offers wellness solutions.
Brivo
Brivo’s access control technology is built on a smart app. All features are accessible by using a person’s smartphone as the key to access office buildings and other facilities. The idea is to limit various people touching the same surface to gain entry.
By using the mobile app, employees, tenants, or guests use one simple way to unlock doors connected to their device. This helps with the post-pandemic return to offices and other workplaces by avoiding germs being transmitted from person to person.
Property managers use the control management version of the app. This version allows them to grant or revoke access from anywhere. They can also control the property itself from their smartphone. This means arming and disarming alarms and initiating facility lockdowns as necessary.
Genetec
Genetec has built a reputation as a global leader in physical security systems. The company manages access to airports and has developed public security solutions for communities, among others. As part of that, the company has had to innovate to provide increased levels of safety within decreased budgets.
Managing and safeguarding vast quantities of data has also been part of Genetec’s challenges over the past few decades. The company’s building access control system, Synergis, aims to combine security and free movement. The goal is to achieve safety whilst also providing a welcoming environment to students, employees, and visitors.
Physical access control systems are combined with communications, video, and intrusion prevention systems. Synergis is based on single card access and allows cardholder managers to control an individual’s access from one location.
LenelS2
LenelS2 introduced web-based security systems as early as 2003. Today, the company offers physical security that combines access control and video surveillance options with event monitoring and digital signage.
Their technology is now cloud-based, includes a mobile app, and relies on internet-sourced real-time data. LenelS2 refers to its platform as a unified ecosystem of security. It has the potential to integrate legacy systems as well as managing access from one single place.
The system is modular, which makes it accessible to small and medium businesses. Clients can pick and choose the features they need. As their businesses and their needs grow, they can simply expand their choice of modules. LenelS2’s access control technology is browser-based and therefore requires no additional software installations.
Building access reimagined
Protecting the health of employees and visitors is the key to safe workplace environments in 2021 and beyond.
Integrating innovative health checks into physical security will be the key to successful building access control, alongside touch-free technology. Threats to personal or corporate security are no longer limited to visible threats. With that in mind, data security and privacy will be equally important as the information gathered to protect employees now more than ever includes sensitive, personal data.
Security companies that integrate all these demands in their solutions whilst ensuring their products are convenient to use will be well placed to succeed in this New Normal environment.
