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The 4 Layers of Physical Security

Businesses are constantly at risk of theft, particularly when their physical assets aren't fully secure. The best way to keep thieves at bay is to break down security into four layers: deterrence, access control, detection and identification.

To help you protect your property and prevent theft, here are four ways an electronic key control system can enforce all four of these security objectives.

 

Deterrence

By placing your keys in a secure key control system made of heavy-duty materials like steel, you can help prevent criminals from gaining access to high-security rooms or assets.

An electronic key control system that requires employees to log in by entering a unique password, swiping a proximity card or scanning their fingerprint will also make it more difficult for employees to commit internal theft. Some systems will even automatically record the times employees take and return keys, creating a real-time verifiable audit trail.

 
Access Control

Chances are you enforce some level of access control for your facility, but if you’re not monitoring who can access your keys and high-value assets, you could be missing a vital layer of security. By implementing a key control system to manage your business’s keys, you can limit which keys are available to users based on job function, time of day and even days of the week so you can prevent employees from accessing restricted areas and items after hours.

 
Detection

If you're currently using manual key control, such as a pegboard or lockbox, you have no way of detecting the exact moment a key has been requested by an unauthorized user or has exceeded its time limit. By implementing an electronic key control system, you can choose triggers to sound an alarm or send a text or email to the system administrator. Such triggers include unauthorized users attempting to access the system, overdue keys or a system drawer being left open for too long. By alerting you of overdue keys and other suspicious activity, your system helps you identify and resolve potential security breaches.

 
Identification

Employee accountability only goes so far. By using a key control system with a biometric fingerprint reader, you can eliminate the risk of password sharing and identify who accesses the system. Adding a motion-activated video camera to your key control system will allow you record any person who approaches the system, even if the person doesn't attempt to log on.


While a video camera can help you recognize faces, a fingerprint reader will distinguish individuals on a biometric level. The system will only unlock for a registered fingerprint from an authorized user and since no two fingerprints are alike, you’ll know exactly who’s accessing your system.

The four layers of security concept

With an electronic key control system you can meet these four security goals protect your business. 

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