Clearview National January 2020 - Issue 218 | Page 50

Hardware Extra
Bolstering Security With Data-
driven Facilities Management
» EVER SINCE THE INCEPTION OF
the internet, data has been used to improve
processes across the globe. Since the turn of
the millennium in particular, the storage and
use of data has expanded considerably.
A 2018 report by IBM found that 90%
of the data in the world (at the time of the
report) was created in the previous two years
alone. As technologies develop and new
devices become available to new users – the
collection and analysis of data is unlikely to
slow down anytime soon.
This is no different for facility management.
As the IoT continues to change the landscape,
new tech-driven solutions that adopt a data-
driven approach offer new ways to manage
buildings. From healthcare facilities to
commercial and residential properties, these
intelligent devices can offer added security and
a host of other benefits. So, in future years to
come, as access control becomes more IT-led,
how do we use data to improve security?
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS
Despite new technologies becoming
available to market, the future of the
construction industry and its adaptation to
digital tech is a topic that is hotly debated.
Intelligent access control, such as cloud-
based systems, can track a host of useful
metrics, all with the potential to improve
both security and processes in general. Once
integrated, these systems track both users and
access points, collecting and storing what is
known as big data, on information including
approved access, declined access and lockdown
instances. Collecting and using this information
can present facilities with a myriad of security
improvements. At a basic level, knowing which
(and more importantly when) access points
of a building are being used helps determine
whether those areas are being used correctly.
Take the healthcare sector as an example.
Most healthcare environments are designed to
house open-plan areas, but all contain ‘off-limit’
areas that house confidential medical records,
equipment and pharmacuticals. Some of
these areas, such as medicine cabinets, require
50 » JAN 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
stringent security.
By collecting data
on medicine cabinets
access, a facility can
detect any instances of
declined access or wrongful
access (think unusual after-hours activity). This
information can then be used as the rationale for
changing or revoking access rights, adding an
extra layer of security when it is most needed.
A facility’s physical environment can
also be optimised with this approach, from
process efficiencies to budgeting. Collecting
and analyising data on footfall for example,
allows a facility to understand more about
the flow of movement within the building
and then necessary adjustments can be made
based on data trends. Optimising these
areas can not only impact processes but also
provide a knock-on effect for both patient
and staff satisfaction and outcomes. This isn’t
to mention the potential of driving positive
financial results.
LACKING INFORMATION ON DATA
Understandably, we must then question
why more facilities aren’t using data as a key
component in their security efforts. If data-
driven facilities management can enhance
security and processes, why aren’t we seeing
widespread use of it?
Well, it’s fair to say that the integration of
big data analytics comes with its challenges.
Until recently, the UK has been slow to move
on the use of data in facilities management,
meaning information has sometimes been
limited, even for those interested in adopting
the practice. The lack of information has
left a hovering ambiguity over the topic,
leaving both installers and end users unclear
as to how data-driven management could be
helping their facilities. Accountability is also a
potential issue for those who do implement it
into their systems, with IT teams and facility
managers needing to agree on a system that
works for everyone.
With this in mind, it becomes transparent
as to why many are reluctant to adapt to these
moving technologies. Without a clear
understanding of intelligent systems and how
to use data, decision makers are reluctant to
leave their comfort zones. For some, the old
mantra rings true - ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix
it’.
However, this stance could be seen as
backwards thinking. While it’s true that this
approach may not be beneficial to each and
every facility right now, it seems that this
progressive trend could one day leave them in
the dark. Is it not better to be more proactive
than reactive when it comes to security? Right
now, sectors such as healthcare and education,
could be taking advantage of tailored,
intelligent access control systems. Those that
are under security pressures or are subject to
budget issues could benefit in both the short
and long term by adopting a data-driven
approach.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Data-driven facilities management provides
us with a new-look method when ensuring
our facilities are secure. We can no longer
afford to use intuition or wait for potentially
serious incididents to push us in to making
the correct security decisions. Instead, the use
of data now presents us with a structured,
strategic option - securing facilities with the
use of analytics and evidence.
So, education is the key. Where required,
certified training days could help provide
a clearer understanding of these systems
and their possibilities. Highlighting what’s
available, how to integrate these systems and
the end user benefits will widen the horizon
of access control options for installers and
subsequently the facility managers that adopt
them.
www.allegion.co.uk
https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/features/digitisation-construction-industry/,
https://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/wr/en/wrl12345usen/watson-customer-engagement-watson-marketing-wr-other-papers-and-reports-wrl12345usen-20170719.pdf
Trevor Ball, business development manager
UK & Ireland at Allegion UK, explains how
facilities can improve security with big data.