Versatile, adaptable and affordable automated access control systems are swiftly becoming the new and improved security system for businesses across the country. Used to restrict access to buildings or specific areas of the workplace, the benefits of automated access control include streamlined security solutions, enhanced management of employees and personnel and improved health and safety.

Read on to learn about how automated access control can unlock your business potential. 

What does automated access control mean for your business?

Access control automation is a streamlined security and management system that can be incorporated into your pre-existing IT and security. Designed to be fully customisable, automated access control allows accessibilities to be set for individual employees without spending more money on security personnel. This is especially relevant for businesses that work with or around dangerous materials or equipment like manufacturers, laboratories or construction sites. 

An automated access control system uses biometric templates of their employees. Biometric templates are a sorted set of biometric features which are captured on a device like a camera or finger scanner, depending on what biometric features are being measured.  Biometric templates are hosted on a business’ current database so that employees can enter restricted areas contact-free. Biometric data can include:

• Fingerprints
• Facial characteristics 
• Voice
• Behavioural characteristics

An automated access control system uses a device that maps the biometric data being assessed. When the information is gathered, the automated control systems will check for matches on the business’ data system before entry can be gained. At Innovative Technology, our access control system - ICU Pro - uses facial biometrics to offer a streamlined service for businesses looking to optimise their day-to-day access requirements.

What can automated access control add to your business operations?

Compared to traditional security systems that are easily threatened by theft or lost keys, the biometric data used to gain entry for automated access control systems is difficult to mimic. Biometric automated access control can be used in conjunction with spoof technology to prevent fraudulent entry and act as an additional layer of security. There are several key ways in which implementing access control powered by biometrics can elevate your business operations.

1. Improved security

In a time where we are more and more reliant on expensive technology to conduct day to day business, the event of a theft can cost your business several thousands of pounds. That’s why it is more important than ever that you have sufficient infrastructure in place to protect your business. Unlike traditional security systems that rely on alarms outside of work hours, access control systems operate 24/7. The physical presence of an automated access control system acts as a deterrent against walk-in theft and attacks, helping keep your employees and property safe.

As biometric data is difficult to imitate, it reduces the risk of the system being overcome by fraudsters who may be looking for the opportunity to steal material or equipment. As the system does not rely on an operator, it cannot be overpowered by intimidation or threat of attack, which a security guard might have to face in the same circumstances. To further enhance security, incorporated into all of our biometrics range is non-intrusive spoof detection technology to prevent a person from gaining entry fraudulently. 

Your employees have to remember a lot, so a keycard or fob can be an extra item that is often forgotten - causing access issues within the office or business place.  As biometric data is a physical part of a person, it eliminates the need for employees to do something extra and helps to streamline their routines. Plus, this reduces overhead costs spent on key replacement and increases employee punctuality as time isn’t wasted trying to access the building when they have forgotten keys. 

Automated access control systems can be installed at the entry point of entire buildings, but also on smaller scales where required. This can include safes, lockers or rooms which may contain dangerous machinery, materials or classified information. 

The ability to tailor access restrictions on small-scale areas like rooms or storage is ideal for companies dealing with hazardous equipment or materials. Workplaces like pharmaceutical laboratories deal with substances that can be harmful if used improperly, so sufficient restrictions must be in place to ensure these materials - and your employees - are kept safe. Access control systems can also be set to provide timestamps of who has accessed restricted areas so that you have more in-depth knowledge of what is going on in your business. 

Accessibility and restrictions can be edited instantly on automated access control systems, so the security system is always up to date. This allows new employees to be onboarded seamlessly and prevents orphaned users from accessing the system or premises.

2. Enhanced personnel and employee management

Automated access control systems offer benefits beyond security - they can improve the efficiency of personnel and employee management of your company. For businesses operating from more than one site, the access directory of different locations can be viewed remotely, helping create cohesion and better manage the different sites from one location.

The automated element of the systems can help some businesses, especially those that implement shift work, to improve accuracy of timesheets. Manual timesheets can be doctored, resulting in inaccurate data which can contribute to misguided management decisions impacting your business indirectly. Plus, automated data means that your employees no longer need to worry about ‘clocking in’, saving them time and stress.

With many workplaces now offering hybrid working, it is difficult to track who is in the office and when, especially if your company has multiple sites. You can use the directory to help determine when employees can come into the office, and opt to shut down the office on days that are least used to reduce running costs. The information in the data can also help managers to understand where employees are at any time. If they’re taking extended breaks or arriving frequently late, for example, managers have clearer visibility of this and can act accordingly.

As alterations to access control systems can be made remotely, visitor access can be managed more effectively than via security checks. Automated access control systems improve reliability and streamline the process of verifying a visitor's accessibility before accepting them into a workplace.

3. Increased health, safety and regulatory compliance 



An owner or manager of any business should act with due diligence in protecting their employees and people who visit their premises. Automated access control helps businesses comply with health and safety regulations in more ways than one. 

Health and safety is perhaps the most fundamental of all requirements for businesses that carry dangerous equipment and materials, such as construction sites and laboratories. Access control systems can be calibrated for individual rooms, store cupboards or specified areas, so that only authorised or trained employees have access to potentially hazardous materials and equipment that could harm employees. If new or existing employees become proficient in handling restricted materials, accessibility can be changed instantly.

Another benefit of having an automated system is that it provides information about who accessed the restricted area, helping to answer any questions if items cannot be accounted for or are broken. Areas can also be temporarily restricted if they are under construction or out of order for any reason. 

Such sophisticated software can also provide health and safety access reports and automatically log which areas users have accessed certain areas, and when, for compliance purposes. Automated control and security systems can also record denied attempts at access in individual areas which supervisors can take up. 

Automated access control has many benefits for both large and small businesses, and ICU Pro is a quick and easy way to automate your access control. Anti-spoof technology is built into the system to eliminate the risk of manipulating the device, and no data is stored on the hardware so it cannot be hacked. As another layer of security, the images uploaded to the system are converted into FaceIDs. Our FaceIDs are made up of a string of numbers which are used to represent a real face. A FaceID cannot be converted back into a real face so can be deemed completely anonymous, making our technology privacy assured. 

ICU Pro is a one-cost, one-installation solution to your security and management problems. To find out more, contact us about how ICU Pro can benefit your business.