George Nortonen,
Vice President-Marketing
IR Security & Safety Electronic Control Systems
With the new
flexibilities, increased security and lower costs offered by electronic locking
systems, it is small wonder that they are revolutionizing the world of access
control. Moving from mechanical locks to an electronic locking system is the
first step many organizations take toward total, integrated access control.
Electronic locks allow organizations to retrofit doors to become part of an
overall system, using the same credentials throughout a facility or even multiple
facilities. Electronic systems even allow intermixing of credentials, using
systems as simple as the electronic PIN-enabled lock or as sophisticated as
online wireless configurations that connect doors or even elevators to existing
access control systems. Electronic locking systems affordably add increased
security to a larger number of doors while simultaneously increasing user convenience.
While it might seem a daunting task to make the transition to total integrated
access control, there's a comfortable pathway that many organizations have followed.
Those companies often start with battery-powered, programmable, standalone locks
that add security and value while providing a hassle-free upgrade path.
Programmable Electronic Locks
The first priority for any access control plan is to establish control over
the origination and duplication of mechanical keys. Whether it's a storage closet,
research lab, computer room, office or records room, the programmable locking
system provides a simple to install, affordable solution for eliminating the
distribution of keys. If the need is to provide controlled access to multiple
users sharing access to multiple openings, programmable electronic locks and
trims are the first step in a migration from mechanical key systems to fully
electronic access control.
At an installed cost starting around $655 US per door, programmable electronic
locks provide a solid choice for facilities with a limited number of users and
access points. A step above the traditional generations-old strictly mechanical
pushbutton lock, they are stand-alone, microprocessor-based, battery-powered
locks that provide increased customer value. Until it receives an authorized
code, the clutching lever simply gives way, discouraging vandals and others
from breaking it to gain entry.
They also remove the worry of using up the capacity of the 17 or 19 codes that
are currently available on older locks. These new generation locking systems
are also at a price point of mechanical single code locks that require a cumbersome
process to change codes. With them, staff can quickly program up to 120 individual
user codes, right at the keypad. Administrators can easily add or delete users
in less than a ten second process. These programmable locking systems operate
on four off-the-shelf, AA alkaline batteries, which provide 80,000-plus cycles
or approximately three years of use.
Recently introduced programmable locks additionally feature iButton ports, 12-button
keypads and standard builder's cylinders. Models are available for use with
a wide range of doors, latches and exit devices, including narrow stile aluminum
doors.
By providing iButton keyfobs in addition to access codes, managers achieve a
higher level of security by preventing unauthorized entrance. Now, an access
control administrator can choose to require a pin code, an iButton, or both
a pin code and iButton to gain authorized entry. It's not just what you know
that gets you in the door, but what you have as well.
Because codes can be easily and quickly added or deleted, security can be enhanced
by increasing the frequency with which codes are changed, while also cutting
down on the labor time and cost to accomplish this. This translates into a lower
cost of ownership and reduced liabilities. The moment an employee who knows
an access code leaves the company, security is at risk if steps to prevent future
access are not taken.
As soon as an employee quits the company or a new employee joins the organization,
administrators can immediately delete an old code/credential or add a new code/credential
at the keypad to maintain increased security. This provides considerable cost
savings associated with having to continually re-key a lock whenever an employee
leaves or mechanical keys go missing.
Such a locking system is a perfect solution for institutional environments like
hospitals, airports, corporate campuses, universities, or for commercial applications
like managed properties, restaurants, retail establishments or other small businesses
where key control and security is a concern.
For instance, in the United States, at South Carolina's Rock Hill School District
No. 3, these types of electronic locks are used to protect students, teachers
and staff on several of its 33 campuses.
"COBRA and PRO Series locks are good devices for us to ensure secure schools,"
reports Mike Robbins, a locksmith for the Rock Hill School District for the
past 18 years. Currently the school district has about 25 electronic locks installed
at eight campuses. The locks are used to secure outside doors at elementary
schools, to lock buildings when teachers and students go outside for recess,
and to ensure that doors aren't left propped open. An electronic lock is also
installed on a lab to protect expensive equipment.
"I've worked very hard to get electronic locks in the district, and so
far everyone is really liking them," Robbins said. "The initial cost
may be more, but you spend more money rekeying a facility if someone loses a
key. Plus, you can change the code and your facility is secure again in a matter
of minutes. When you use mechanical keys, you have to go around and rekey all
the doors. The electronic locks are easy to program and use and require almost
no maintenance."
For retail outlets, narrow stile versions provide the opportunity to add electronic
access control to a wide range of existing aluminum doors. Millions of existing
aluminum narrow stile doors can now benefit from a security and convenience
upgrade.
Computer-Managed Locking Systems
The next step in an intelligent migration from mechanical locks to total integrated
access control involves computer-managed (CM) locking systems. CM locks are
ideal in situations where older doors or facilities need to be retrofitted with
higher-security locks. CM locking systems offer many of the same benefits as
a networked, hardwired system, without the higher cost and additional care associated
with routing network cable when retrofitting an existing facility with electronic
access control. These standalone, programmable, battery-powered locks are networked
through software to provide audit-trail capability and time-based scheduling
for restricting access.
Whatever the credential used, a user-friendly software programs all, including
the locks, access trim, and offline hard-wired controllers, which manage strikes
and magnets, from a laptop or PDA. New users, access points and access privileges
can be entered into the system in seconds. They also provide an audit trail
capability.
"Our future growth is the CM locks, so that way we can control when our
teachers come and go in the district. Plus they will tell us who is coming and
going," explains Rock Hill School District's Robbins. "The CM locks
are a great standalone system for access control retrofits."
One CM lock is currently installed on a fitness room for teachers and students.
Teachers are given the code, so students can only access it when a teacher is
present. Eventually teachers will be able to use their ID badges to access the
lock. The district plans to install more CM locks that will work with proximity
cards.
Similarly, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is using CM locking systems to restrict
access to high-security areas of its Vancouver facility, while also saving time
and money versus the cost of using mechanical keys.
"Our building is a very tight security building," explains Dan Lee,
facilities coordinator for British Columbia and the Yukon areas for CBS. "Only
a certain number of staff are allowed to go through the doors secured with the
CM locks."
At the Vancouver location, Lee manages 15 CM locks that control access to the
lab area, the administration areas, the archives, and a supply warehouse. The
center employs about 200 people and only a handful of staff members are allowed
access to high security areas.
CBS uses HID proximity cards with the battery-operated, standalone CM locking
systems. Using just one proximity card credential, staff members can be granted
access to any combination, or none, of the high-security areas. Prior to installing
the CM locks, CBS used mechanical keys at the Vancouver facility. Switching
to CM locks has saved time on rekeying and simplified access control for CBS.
"The locks are really easy to program," Lee reports. He uses a laptop
computer and LockLink software, but plans to purchase a handheld computer (PDA)
for even easier lock programming. PDAs can be used to remotely tour the locks
for programming and downloading of audits. Lee plans to add more CM locks at
the Vancouver location in the coming months, as the facility undergoes a renovation.
Typical per door installation costs average less than $1,000 US, including installation
costs. With such CM locking systems, security professionals can become very
creative and provide a balanced approach to access control. Such systems facilitate
simplified, uniform access control administration. Multiple openings on a campus
or in a building can be managed with a variety of stand-alone locking solutions
that share a common access control software, simplifying management by eliminating
redundancies associated with managing multiple systems. These battery-powered,
standalone locksets and exit trim always provide code compliant free egress
and are very easy to retrofit.
The CM system can support a variety of credential types including PIN codes,
magnetic stripe cards, iButtons, proximity cards and biometrics. Whatever the
credential used, one intuitive, user-friendly software programs all-the locksets,
exit device trim, strikes and magnets (through the offline controllers)-from
a PC or PDA. Users and access points can quickly and easily be added and deleted
from the system as well as assignment of access privileges.
Using the system's LockLink software, the system operator can easily control
both users and access points based on time of day, day of week, credential needed
and/or period of time. Reports show audit trails retrieved, access privileges
granted and time functions established by either the user or door. With a laptop
or PDA, the administrator goes to the opening, plugs in the interface to the
locking system right at the door, and uploads new access instructions to the
lock while downloading audits of who has been through the door and when.
Access rights can even be assigned to users by credential and/or time function,
providing the system operator with maximum flexibility to control the flow of
people into, through and out of a facility. Selectable functions include time
zones, time activation and expiration, auto unlock time scheduling, first person
in and holiday scheduling. A variety of reports are available to help manage
a facility more efficiently including audit trail data, access privileges data,
and time function schedules by user or door.
Whatever the credential, administrators can perform various functions including
momentary and maintained access, lockout, one-time use, supervised and even
linked access, in which a code must be used in tandem with a credential such
as at a bank's ATM. Linked access reduces the probability of lost or stolen
credentials from providing unauthorized access. These CM locking devices can
even manage up to 1,000 users per opening (very useful for those facilities
that have high turnover). They will also provide audits on the last 1,000 events
that occur at the opening.
Next Step: Inviting Third Parties
Beyond CM locking systems are the hardwired locks, which let users use a CM-type
lock monitor door openings with their own existing, third-party access control
panels and software. That means locksmiths don't have to go to the locks themselves
to program them, or download audit trail information. This open architecture
platform seamlessly connects the specially designed door lock to a panel interface
board (PIB) that connects to any present access control panel. There is no need
for separate components or multiple manufacturers' products. Users access the
VIP lock with either magnetic stripe or HID proximity cards.
As a result, credential data and door status information required by the access
control panel, such as door position or request-to-exit status, are passed via
RS-485 communication from the lock to the panel via the PIB provided with the
locks. The access control panel maintains control of the lock status and status
indication on the VIP locks as it does with present electric strike or electromagnetic
locking systems. All monitoring is captured at the remote monitoring station.
Regardless of software employed, users have the benefits of a networked system
without the costs. Access and profile management is greatly improved without
adding any extra software. Users and installing dealers can mix and match the
best type of front-end solution for each opening without adding complexity to
the system.
The system operator can easily control both users and access points based on
time of day, day of week, credential needed and/or period of time. Reports show
audit trails retrieved, access privileges granted and time functions established
by either the user or door.
Going Wireless
The last destination on today's pathway to total integrated access control is
the application of wireless technology in physical security environments. These
innovative locking products benefit from faster, less costly installations.
The business case for deploying the new wireless systems in networked openings
is compelling. Actual installations demonstrate a wireless solution can have
a substantially lower installed cost than an online access control system. Wireless
systems use less hardware and install five to ten times faster. With wireless
systems, it becomes extremely easy to retrofit electronic access control solutions
in facilities and applications that have previously held back due to budget
constraints or installation limitations.
In addition to providing access control at a door in the form of a wireless
lock, organizations can now take advantage of wireless solutions for elevators,
gates, exit devices and electric strikes. Importantly, the wireless system easily
integrates into all existing access control systems and customers can continue
to use their existing keys or ID credentials.
Pathway as Long or Short as Required
When planning the move from the mechanical world to electronic, networked or
wireless locking systems, remember that the transition does not have to take
place overnight and it does not need to be total.
Adding electronic locking systems to access points as time and budgets allow
is a sensible migration plan for any organization, no matter how large or small.
A large facility may have dozens of doors with varying levels of security needs.
A broom closet may be adequately secured with a simple offline lock, while surveillance
or computer rooms may demand high-security locks that are integrated with access
control systems. The right lock system for a given door may be found anywhere
along the electronic migration path.
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Photos Available - King Cobra, Aesthetic Lock/CM5600, and Canadian Blood Services