AST Oct/Nov Digital Magazine 8 | Page 67

Volume 8 a visual deterrent that can help prevent unauthorized, undetected entries to your facility. Here are three benefits offered by the use of turnstiles and pedestrian entrance control to help deter against active shooter incidents: Turnstile Benefit #1 – Visible Deterrence Security professionals and others have known for some time that the harder it is for a crime to occur, the less likely it is to happen. We all know the old trick of placing a “security system” sign on your lawn at home to deter intruders, right? Yes, that still works! Well the same goes for entrance control systems implemented at your building and campus entrances. Optical turnstiles with barriers for example are a visual deterrent that can help prevent unauthorized, undetected entries to your facility. Turnstile barriers like swinging glass or retractable glass can inhibit unauthorized entry. Anyone considering a crime or attack on a facility using a modern professionally designed entrance control system will more deterred than when compared with a facility which is not so-equipped. Over 80 percent of active shootings occur at a workplace, according to the FBI’s first study of the subject. The majority of the shooters in business environments were not employed at the shooting location. So, a strong visible deterrent can surely help discourage such an attack. Oct/Nov 2016 Edition for security staff. Turnstile Benefit #2 – Tailgating/Piggyback Detection Turnstiles - and pedestrian entrance control in general - are linked with your access control system and are designed to make sure that only authorized persons can enter a building or campus. This inherent benefit is the primary reason turnstiles and other pedestrian entrance control (PEC’s) are employed. A properly designed and implemented pedestrian entrance control system can sound an alarm, activate cameras and alert security staff in the event of a tailgating/piggybacking/crossing event. Tailgating is defined as an unauthorized person attempting entry behind/with an authorized individual. Piggyback detection, crossing (entering in opposite direction while an authorized user exits), and fraudulent misuse by an authorized user (collusion) are similarly detected and alerted for security staff. IP Connected (network ready) PEC systems provide even further communication through the client’s security network if so integrated. All of these features make it significantly more difficult for an active shooter to gain entry into the secure areas of your facility. (SmartLane Security Entrance Lanes are ideal for applications requiring secure, bidirectional passage control; where safety and throughput are key. Courtesy of Automatic Systems and YouTube) Turnstile Benefit #3 – The Intangibles - Evidence of Sophisticated Security Measures Piggyback detection, crossing (entering in opposite direction while an authorized user exits), and fraudulent misuse by an authorized user (collusion) are similarly detected and alerted The use of strong effective entrance control security at outside lobbies and other entrances goes even a step further than the most visible benefits discussed above. We believe that the less tangible benefit is equally 67