SECURITYSYSTEMS • 69
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an on-premise computer or server.
When integrated into an access control
system, cloud solutions offer facilities
a number of operational choices. Users
can set how visitors are granted access
into the building, with a number of
situations possible, such as registration
in a reception area paired with visitor
passes. Of course, other factors need to be
taken into account, such as the required
movement of the visitor; but this is left
in the hands of the decision maker. With
the cloud, these decisions are designed to
be made quickly and effortlessly – all via
the internet and all while providing extra
digital security.
Yet, there is a common misconception
that on-site closed network security
solutions are more secure. With plenty
of evidence against this, cloud-based
systems are progressively being seen
as the best equipped systems for
cyber attacks (providing the correct
procedures are put in place, i.e. two-
factor authentication). For an internally
managed system, facilities may need
a large amount of resources, time and
even budget to keep it running smoothly.
Updates, in particular, can be a timely
and precise process, and when done
manually on-site, there’s the chance
that a lax approach or a common
mistake could cause huge security
repercussions.
Looking back to the example of a
school entrance and those that operate
access control from an on-site server:
It is possible for users to implement
multiple layers of security to their on-
site infrastructures by themselves. Yet,
in reality, many lack the expertise and
experience to enforce this. With schools,
in particular, stretched IT teams and
budget issues can sometimes result
to a more lenient or less meticulous
operation. This increases the possibility
that their access control systems become
vulnerable to cyber attacks, highlighting
the weaknesses of these systems
compared to those that are handled by
third-party organisations.
With cloud-based systems, the
maintenance is taken away from internal
teams, saving time and resources and
giving peace of mind that updates are
being handled by expert teams. This
extra layer of security is why schools,
among other facilities, across the UK are
beginning to make the switch.
TRADITIONAL BENEFITS
Aside from being the best protection
for cyber attacks, cloud-based systems
are offering decision makers a number of
other benefits.
Doors and physical locations aren’t
the only areas where these cloud-based
systems can improve security. The
nature of these cloud-based systems
allow for additional use in some unusual
but highly beneficial scenarios. Forklift
operators, parking gate users and those
that require access to drug cabinets
(whether based in hospitals or on-duty
ambulances) can all do so with integrated
cloud solutions.
Accessibility isn’t the only benefit to
facilities either. Cloud-based systems
offer decision makers full flexibility in
terms of how they can adapt to a building.
This flexibility allows for huge scalability
options, enabling a building to grow
with its access control system – without
presenting any additional security issues.
‘With cloud-based
systems, the
maintenance is taken
away from internal
teams, saving time
and resources and
giving peace of
mind that updates
are being handled
by expert teams’
EFFORTLESS ACCESS CONTROL
The importance of building security
has always been paramount to those
involved with access control. Now, with
physical security and cybersecurity
both needing to be considered, it’s
imperative for facilities to keep up with
the IoT movement by using access control
systems that can protect their facilities
from multiple security threats.
The effortless nature of cloud-based
systems is simplifying (but progressing)
access control processes for facilities
across the UK. For many, the cloud is
much more than an industry trend, it’s a
revolutionary stance on access control.
Sources; https://www.isonas.com/why-isonas/use-cases/, https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS44891519
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAY/JUN 2019
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