Page 26 - Security Today, October 2018

versally comes with positive impacts.
With traditional systems there was little choice in terms of prod-
uct offerings for locks. Brass keys with cylinder locks or fully-wired access control systems were typically the only two solutions. With the introduction of wireless enabled products, that has absolutely changed. In locations where hardwired access control systems would have been cost prohibitive, wireless solutions now fully open the pos- sibility for securely covering a facility or campus in electronic access control. No more digging into walls, no more running wires, and no more worrying about massive installation times.
This is, obviously, an incredible cost and time saver for the integra- tor and end user. When looking at total project costs—with equipment and labor—a wireless system can be implemented for nearly half the cost of a traditional, hard-wired electronic access control system.
This also allows for upgrades to current wired systems. Doors and openings that previously could not be wired for access control can now be integrated into existing systems through the Wi-Fi network.
Research shows that integrators are also noticing this. According to the ASSA ABLOY survey, 75 percent of integrators believe wire- less locks make installation easier, quicker and more cost-effective. That means for some that this information will seem basic. However, remembering the core benefits of a wireless system—simplicity, cost ef- ficiency and flexibility—is critical to understanding the biggest piece of advice about the technology: always keep wireless on the menu.
Educating the End-user
End-users considering integrating door security solutions should al- most always be considering a wireless option. The benefits are too great to ignore.
That said, there are still many assumptions and issues that facility owners and managers have concerns over. According to the survey, end users are not yet widely enthused about the advertised benefits of wireless access control. Fewer than half of respondents believed wireless systems have a lower cost of ownership, are more sustain- able, or even cut energy bills. One in three respondents believe wire- less systems run a major risk of downtime. Security concerns were also a common theme among respondents.
It is the job of manufacturers and integrators to counter these lingering jitters with factual information.
Cost of Ownership, Sustainability and Energy Bills.
Combined with the reduced installation costs of wireless systems, the cost of powering wireless systems also offers impressive savings. Because wireless systems are not constantly drawing energy from the building’s power system, the results are a sustainable and energy saving solution. Even with annual battery changes, the cost related to power consumption of the system is about 25 percent less than a wired system.
Downtime. Thanks to improvements in battery life, the need to replace batteries is down dramatically, with some locks going several years on a single battery. This ensures more continuous uptime than a wired system. Battery-based wireless systems also operate despite a power outage and are often seen as resilient solutions in areas where flooding or other natural disasters occur. As long as the access control unit is intact and above the waterline, the system is up and operating.
Security. Security remains key among the worries of end us- ers—and with good reason. Security breaches and data misuse re- main common occurrences in today’s world. Thus, it is important to educate yourself on what level of digital security a manufacturer has implemented in its products and solutions. How is the wireless com- munication being delivered, and how is the data being accessed and stored? Manufacturers should be readily able and willing to explain this key consideration—including whether they perform penetration
testing and security validation—to help alleviate concerns.
The reality is that there has been so much time and energy invest- ed into the development of digital security for wireless communica- tion that it may now be easier to compromise a hardwire system than
it is to decrypt a wireless signal.
Universal integration. There is also an assumption that wireless
solutions are only for specialty applications. The reality is that some type of wireless can now be considered a first option everywhere in the built environment.
True wireless solutions can benefit all buildings by cutting costs and streamlining future build outs. Small- and medium-sized facili- ties are ideal for true Wi-Fi integrations as the lockset can use an on- board controller to wirelessly communicate to the electronic access control software. This means adding a lock to the system is greatly simplified and the cost is just the lock and the installation time.
Less wired solutions exist where dedicated networks use wireless technologies other than common Wi-Fi infrastructure. This creates ad hoc networks in specific locations and connects them to a pre- existing wired system. This can be extremely beneficial in retrofit applications where digging into walls could mean damaging a his- toric asset or exposing asbestos. In these scenarios, creating the ad hoc network and quickly upgrading using wireless may make the most sense.
A hybrid model also exists using data-on-card methodology, where most of the locks are wireless but there are a few hotspots within the system that are hardwired to communicate data to a server. In this scenario the credential stores the information and updates the server when it checks into the hotspot.
This can be used in large systems where wireless infrastructure won’t exist throughout the building. Consider mixed-use residential where the building won’t be supplying internet to tenants. In this sce- nario, a hybrid model saves on running wiring through the building, enhances overall security, and doesn’t require IT staff to maintain a wireless network.
In short, the cost-savings, time-savings and simplicity in integra- tion is simply too great a benefit not to make wireless your Plan A when it comes to implementing a project. These solutions have been brought to mixed-use residential, small- and medium-sized business, enterprise, education from K-12 to university, and healthcare verti- cals, all with extreme levels of success.
Partner for Success
These are just a few considerations in terms of helping end users un- derstand, and accept, the benefits of the new technology. These are also only a few examples of when and where to deploy such technolo- gies. The truth is, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wireless technologies. There are still secondary considerations into how these systems play into the built environment as a whole.
To learn more about these technologies, the offerings available, what they can offer, and when and where to apply, contact a respected and trusted manufacturer who is innovating in the space. Integrators who partner with a trained sales staff and who can partake in train- ing programs from these manufacturers will be able to fully engage in what wireless technology offers—both now and for the future. End users interested in upgrading their facilities can learn about these technologies from manufacturers and connect with trusted, certified integrators who carry the solutions needed.
By partnering in this way, we can bring to life the promise of these new technologies: a more comprehensive, more secure, and more intuitive security system.
Peter Boriskin is the vice president of product management at ASSA ABLOY.
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