Page 10 - Security Today, July/August 2024

Securing the
Flow of Operations
BTy Raffaele Ceravolo
he transportation industry is a complex and dy- namic environment where efficient management of physical keys, vehicles and shared devices is critical to ensuring smooth operations, reducing costs and maintaining security. Every day, more transporta-
tion facilities are using modern electronic key and asset manage- ment systems to better secure, audit and manage the important assets that keep operations running smoothly.
FACILITY KEYS
Treat each one like it is the only one. Access to certain areas within transportation facilities, especially airports, is vital to maintaining operations. Numerous areas require secure access, from offline openings to secure areas; bay doors to mechanical rooms; and management offices to IT and server rooms. Elec- tronic key management systems help manage and track access to every key across a property, ensuring only authorized staff can access these areas. This protects assets and helps prevent unauthorized access, which can lead to security breaches and potential threats.
Key management systems that replace outdated pegboard and notebook management measures can track access to every key across a facility, set specific permissions and access levels for each user, issue real-time notifications when a key is accessed or re- turned, and monitor and audit access to ensure compliance with security protocols.
FLEET VEHICLES
Expediting efficiency. Fleet vehicles are the lifeblood of the trans- portation industry, particularly for larger facilities, but managing their access and usage can be challenging, especially if they’re lo- cated at multiple sites. Key cabinets play an integral role in fleet vehicle management by controlling and monitoring vehicle ac- cess, which increases driver accountability, plus they ensure even use and instill safer processes.
With dedicated features to track vehicle mileage, fuel levels, parking location and vehicle faults, key cabinets allow admin- istrators to monitor vehicle usage in real-time, set specific per- missions and access levels for each driver, receive alerts when a vehicle is due for maintenance or service, track vehicle locations and monitor parking assignments.
By controlling and monitoring vehicle access, transportation organizations can reduce fuel consumption, maintenance and insurance claims costs. Additionally, intelligent key cabinets can improve driver accountability and reduce the risk of accidents or security breaches.
SHARED DEVICES
Automating distribution and collection. Just like with keys, shared devices such as radios, tablets, scanners and other equipment are essential for transportation employees to carry out their daily
tasks. But because there are often multiple users per device, the possibility of them being lost or mishandled is increased. There- fore, having a shared device management system can be founda- tional in helping automate the distribution and collection of these devices, ensuring they are always accounted for, fully charged and ready for use.
Intelligent asset management lockers can automate device dis- tribution and collection; track device usage in real-time; set spe- cific permissions and access levels for each user; and send alerts when a device is due for maintenance or service.
By automating the distribution and collection of shared de- vices, facilities can reduce costs associated with equipment loss or damage, improve device maintenance efficiency and enhance overall productivity.
PROCESS CONTROL
Integrating critical workflows. Electronic key and asset manage- ment systems can also help drive critical workflows that keep transportation operations safe, secure and efficient by integrating existing access control or security platforms, work-order systems and more.
These management solutions can integrate with existing sys- tems for seamless workflow, automate critical processes such as access control and maintenance scheduling, monitor and track operations in real-time and receive alerts when workflows are dis- rupted or delayed.
By integrating electronic key and asset management with ex- isting workflows, transportation facilities are improving opera- tional efficiency, reducing costs associated with manual process- ing and enhancing overall security.
Intelligent key and asset management solutions meet the big- gest challenges facing airport and transportation facilities, es- pecially as many of them continue to expand to meet growing customer use. These solutions are helping facilities better manage the operational tools staff, specialists, vendors and drivers need to work safely and efficiently. They are assisting administrators in managing and monitoring access to key and equipment inven- tory, while allowing authorized users to quickly checkout and re- turn items with total accountability.
The transportation industry continues to change every day, but the concepts noted above represent futureproof measures that facilities are taking to proactively address internal security threats and protect against unnecessary losses due to device mis- management. Those organizations that are tak-
ing advantage of these solutions are thus better
prepared to operate at peak efficiency and en-
sure customers can travel safely
Raffaele Ceravolo is a regional sales manager at Traka Americas.
10
JULY/AUGUST 2024 | SECURITY TODAY
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY