Security & Access Control other users who have access to the building. Integrated biometric systems allow multi-level access producing infallible data as to exactly who was in what part of a facility and at what time - priceless date for any security system which also gives the workforce themselves assurance of the security they require. A typical installation for ourselves was for the Referral Management Centre of Newcastle-based Connect Health Ltd, an 18,000 sq. ft. facility which includes a large call centre, open to staff who work different hours across a 12 hour day, in a multi-occupancy four storey complex. Connect required a failsafe security system to both ensure staff safety and comply with fire regulations which require an accurate count of personnel on the premises. Andrew Walton, Executive Chair of Connect, explained, “We now deal with over 250,000 referrals per year and treat some 3 million people annually. The growth of the company required the move last year into the new centre where the different teams of Patient Care Advisors and support staff tended to work different hours. Without line of sight into all areas, it would have been impossible to ensure the building was cleared in case of fire, and we looked very carefully at available systems which, included numeric pads, key fobs and swipe cards. Each of these, however, came with inherent problems of being able to be bypassed whilst a biometric fingerprint reader would present an ideal solution due to having no reliance on secondary credentials. The ievo readers were particularly impressive and very easy to integrate into our security system - they were also manufactured locally!” “We’ve been delighted with their performance since installation and the whole www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine
process has exceeded our expectations. With access to sensitive patient data, we are also shortly seeking accreditation to ISO 27001 for our Information Security Management System (ISMS) and the integration of the ievo fingerprint readers gives us a good start in demonstrating the importance we place on our data security.” With data security now becoming so important to all organisations, ISO 27001 accreditation not only helps businesses manage the security of their data but will also advertise this expertise to existing and potential clients. The standard looks at a number of core sections, which include IT systems, business processes and, most importantly, people, as an integral part of the accreditation process (Section A.11) deals with access control, looking at key areas such as user access management, user registration and password management and here the use of biometric security systems with fingerprint recognition readers enables organisations to comply with the Standard’s requirements and add another layer of safety to the businesses access controls. Visitor movements can be accurately monitored in real time with access to certain areas within a site strictly controlled and recorded allowing the organisation sophisticated levels of personnel movement information and accountability. Biometric recognition systems are also becoming the favoured choice in transport and logistic hubs where goods are being moved in and out of secure areas by recognised personnel only. For such facilities, or any critical infrastructure, it is obviously vital that in an era of increased security
threats, identity credentials can’t be shared or stolen as can happen with cards, key fobs and numeric PINs. Sports and leisure facilities are also benefitting from the new technology. Not only do biometric systems free staff for more productive tasks especially in leisure clubs and gyms etc - but the resultant information produces invaluable data for management as to customer attendance to enable them to plan future provision. Sporting and event arenas are also increasingly using the technology for their own staff some of whom may well themselves be then employed in security positions to ensure the safety of the audience. Biometric access control is the technology of first choice for facility managers for not only the security of their buildings or facilities, but also the organisations based there and the staff that those organisations employ. www.ievoreader.com Security & Access Control
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