Access control systems manage the identification and authorisation of visitors and their vehicles according to the access zones of sensitive sites, as well as authentication, approval of access by security or reception teams, and the granting of access through login credentials, physical keys or electronic keys. To strengthen security on sensitive sites, visitor management can be combined with an access control system.
Together, the two solutions let you enter visit details in advance, manage visitor authorisations, record arrivals and departures, create personalised badges and so manage access rights when combined with an access control system. These steps help you create a pleasant welcome for visitors while ensuring control and security, and they save your reception team time.
Why is visitor access control so important?
Although locks and keys are a simple, low-cost option, they offer only a limited level of security and are vulnerable to duplication. Access control brings the advantages of a highly secure system at building entrances. It is a stronger way to protect premises, buildings and sensitive sites against intrusion. The system streamlines entry flows while keeping security under control.
What are the benefits of an access control system?
An access control system at building entrances for all visitors offers organisations several benefits:
Control and security at the entrance to your buildings
Putting one in place is essential to raising security levels, as it effectively prevents unauthorised people from entering restricted, hazardous or sensitive areas. This policy makes it possible to manage, filter and optimise the flow of visitors and vehicles. The system protects employees and visitors, and extends to protecting visitors’ belongings, safeguarding confidential information and ensuring the wellbeing and safety of visitors and employees, creating a safer and calmer environment within the organisation.
You will no longer need physical keys
Visitor access control removes the need for physical keys, which brings a wide range of security benefits. Doing away with traditional keys significantly reduces the risk of loss, theft or duplication, creating a stronger level of security for the premises, because it becomes much harder for unauthorised individuals to enter the protected space. Access can easily be blocked for the holder of a digital key when needed. It also allows doors to be opened remotely for external visitors, offering a simple and effective solution.
A record of all entries and exits
One of the fundamental advantages of electronic access control is that it keeps a complete history. This is a valuable resource for investigating incidents such as vandalism or theft, and it enables effective monitoring and a rapid response in the event of theft or intrusion in the buildings.
Easy integration with a visitor management tool
An access control system integrates easily with a visitor management solution. Because visitor details can be pre-registered, personalised badges generated and access rights defined in advance, the welcome process is greatly simplified. This not only saves time and provides a smoother, more pleasant experience for visitors, but also strengthens control and security within the organisation.
Features to manage visitor access permissions
Access control systems help organisations put a highly secure visitor policy in place. Using one provides a secure environment for employees, visitors, contractors and candidates, as well as for goods and property, which can also help reduce the organisation’s insurance premiums.
- Visitor authorisation: the system can manage visitors’ essential details, including their name, company, phone number and the reason for their visit. It also allows this information to be pre-registered, simplifying the welcome and identification process when visitors arrive.
- Personalised badge creation: the system generates personalised digital access badges for each visitor to keep visitors under control. These badges can include information such as the visitor’s photo, name, validity date and authorised zones.
- Access rights management: access control makes it possible to define access rights precisely for each visitor, allowing entry to certain areas while restricting access to others, for granular management of entry privileges.
- Real-time tracking: access control monitors visitors’ entries and exits in real time, creating an audit trail of their presence. This feature means you know who is in the building at any given moment.
- Notifications for hosts: combined with a visitor management tool, it can tell hosts that their visitors have arrived by sending a notification straight to their smartphone, ensuring instant and effective communication.
- Security in the event of loss or theft: when an access badge is lost or stolen, it can be deactivated quickly at any time, preventing any unauthorised access.
- Custom configuration and simple integration: visitor access control stands out for its flexibility, as it can easily be configured to meet each organisation’s specific requirements. It can also be integrated with other security or visitor management systems, providing a tailored solution that works seamlessly with the existing environment.
- Access policy reports and analysis: the data collected helps you better manage your access rights, your visitor and vehicle flows, the rights assigned to each visitor and the analysis of lost badges.
- User-friendly for visitors: visitor access control systems have been carefully designed to provide a user-friendly, smooth experience while remaining secure, making them intuitive for both receptionists and visitors and simplifying the welcome process.
In short, a visitor access control system is an indispensable tool for organisations, particularly sensitive ones, offering a secure and customisable solution. Management becomes highly efficient for security and reception teams when the access control system is combined with a visitor management system: the combination brings together security, smooth flows and efficiency for teams. Hamilton Visitor, the visitor management solution, integrates easily with access control systems from brands such as Fichet, Nedap and Alcea.