Page 37 - Security Today, January 2018

ments including grounds and facilities, IT, finance, athletics and many more. As a result, there are many different assets — ranging from maintenance fleet vehicles to controlled substances in a labora- tory — that require strict access control and monitoring.
So, what’s the solution?
DECENTRALIZATION INCREASES EFFICIENCY
Networked key cabinets and locker systems enable schools to secure- ly store items at the point of use, making daily use more efficient. Authorized users can retrieve the key(s) or assets they need in sec- onds right in the building where it’s used. This means that vehicle keys can be stored in the garage, specialized equipment can remain in the lab and tablets can be kept in the classroom. Administrators still have the same control and visibility from the central security office, while your staff — and students — enjoy more efficient and effective daily processes.
Many campuses suffer from having a single point of distribution and collection for facility keys and assets. This has proven to be extremely inefficient, with a direct impact to the bottom line. While it’s beneficial to have centralized control and visibility of protected items from the campus security office, faculty and staff must walk across campus every day just to check in or out a key or asset. Multiply this by dozens of users and it adds up to a lot of lost productivity each day. Think about security officers, cleaning crews, maintenance workers — the list goes on and the dollars stack up.
While these keys and assets are necessary for employees to gain access to various areas of the campus, utilizing a decentralized key and asset management solution allows the items to be tracked effortlessly
from one central location. Consequently, the number of keys held by staff is reduced, and in turn, the chance of them getting into the wrong hands is mitigated. This reduces risk while increasing security and peace of mind all without disrupting daily operations, making pro- cesses more effective.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO CAMPUSES
An integrated asset management and access control solution will also create a more controlled environment, increasing safety and situation- al awareness for students and staff alike. For example, system operators can easily restrict access to hazardous areas until proper safety equip- ment has been checked out. Access to assets can also be easily con- trolled by adding, deleting or suspending users.
Because the time of every user and asset transaction is recorded and logged as an event within the access control platform, each individuals is held accountable for the property they have checked out. This integra- tion gives system administrators control of each user’s facility access permissions based on Traka item status; for example, employees cannot leave a facility prior to returning keys or equipment to the Traka cabinet. Knowing this may prompt those who access property to act more responsibly and return items in a timely manner.
These are just some of the reasons an integrated management and access control solution is not just a smart, but necessary technology to have as part of any campus’ total security solution.
Ellie Randall is the marketing and communica- tions manager at Open Options.
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