CCTV and access control: the perfect pairing for security

In today’s security landscape, the use of smart, integrated solutions has become more of a necessity. With advanced features of video surveillance and access control coming into the market, your business is now better suited to double up on its security strategy. 

A comprehensive security solution for your business plays off of all of the best facets of both CCTV and access control. You get the peace of mind that your premises are under a watchful eye at all times and that your critical entrances are guarded at all times. And, since this type of security set-up is designed specifically for your needs, it’s flexible and scalable as your business grows.

CCTV and access control: a dynamic duo

The main value you get by pairing CCTV and access control is the ability to assign a specific surveillance camera with an entrance. This integrated system makes it possible for security personnel to quickly respond to a triggered alert and watch a CCTV video feed of what’s happening at the affected entrance. Footage can be viewed live or as a selection of pre-recorded clips after the incident.  

Let’s suppose your building’s entrances have access control systems that use proximity cards. In the absence of a CCTV system, a person who is not authorised to enter the building can easily gain access with a lost or stolen card. Your security guards or employees may eventually notice the trespasser but an access control system cannot tell an intruder apart from an authorised individual.

Now, consider the alternative: an access control system connected to a CCTV system. The latest IP security cameras can not only monitor the entrances but determine whether the person entering is actually the person authorised to use it, thanks to sophisticated video analytics software. If the data generated doesn’t match the information the system has in the database, the intruder will be denied access. Security personnel can respond accordingly to investigate the event further and/or report this to the local police.

CCTV and access control during COVID-19

In the current climate, all businesses are required to take a temperature reading of employees before they enter the building. With a fever screening solution set up at your main entrance, you can effectively measure body core temperatures of employees and visitors as they approach the entrance.

It only takes one second for the thermal cameras to read individual temperatures of each person, even if there’s a crowd moving through the entryway. Note that the camera’s AI function will ignore nearby heat sources such as a cup of coffee carried by a person, thereby eliminating false alarms. Once an anomaly is detected, the system will dispatch an alert to notify operators, and the person can be safely removed.

Keep CCTV and access control management in one central location

CCTV and access control integration allows your operators to work from a single interface and/or work station instead of separately supervising the systems. Having a central platform means increased accessibility, and provides better management over all of the systems. It will also reduce the time spent on training your administrators to use multiple tools, and ensure they have an in-depth knowledge of the integrated system.

• RELATED POST: How to streamline access control in your building

Your business can no longer get away with simply having a security guard. One of the robust steps towards properly securing your office building is by pairing CCTV surveillance with access control. Hopefully, after reading this article, you now have a better understanding as to why it is becoming such a popular choice.