Evaluating an access control security system
When considering a security system, and the way forward, there are certain areas that need to be addressed.
You need to be sure the system will meet your needs, now and as you grow in the future. Your requirements may be very straightforward but it will be reassuring to know you can add functionality when you need to.
Here are some areas to evaluate:
CORE SECURITY
Does the system provide a single graphical user interface for core security functions, i.e. managing where people have access to at what times, monitoring for intruders, and processing alarms that occurr in the system?
INTEGRATION PLATFORM
- Are there interfaces available to third party systems (i.e. other security applications, elevator systems, intercom systems)?
- Can images be linked to system events, for visual and auditable records that can be relied on for evidence?
- Does the system use industry standard OPC to interface to Building Management Systems to achieve efficiencies in energy, i.e. lighting and airconditioning?
- Does the system allow for sharing of information?
SCALABILITY
- Is the system scalable?
- Can it grow from just a few monitored doors to thousands on distributed sites - without hardware redundancy or unreasonable costs?
- Can expansion be easily incorporated into the system, for example adding new employees, buildings, or tenants?
- Can the system manage remote sites to reduce monitoring expenses?
ENCRYPTION LEVELS
- Is encryption incorporated in the system to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of the organisation's data?
- Does the system have the technology capability to handle the extensive processing to encrypt data to an acceptable standard (i.e. 40-bit Secure Socket Layer, a standard similar to that used to secure Internet banking transactions?
IT COMPATIBILITY
- Will the system utilise existing networks?
- Will it use minimal bandwidth, i.e. will not interrupt normal IT communications?
- Will the system continue to operate if the site experiences network problems?
- Is the system Internet compatible to be able to operate over geographical and time zone boundaries?
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