With threats of data breaches, theft, and workplace violence looming large, physical security should be a top priority for facilities managers. In the current risk landscape, key and access control are critical. But managing keys, access cards, and fobs in multitenant office buildings presents unique challenges. What’s the best way to give tenants and vendors the access they need? How do you reduce key control liability risks? What if some tenants prefer physical keys while others want smart locks? Let’s take a look at how to address these concerns.
One of the biggest challenges of key control in a multitenant facility is segregating access to different areas of the building. You need to ensure authorized personnel have access to the appropriate spaces, while also maintaining the security of common areas and supply rooms.
Honor-based or manual key management methods are risky, and one misstep can lead to serious consequences. For example, one facilities manager shared how they landed in hot water after they mistakenly issued a master key to the wrong person, who used it for unauthorized reasons.
Honor-based or manual key management methods are risky, and one misstep can lead to serious consequences.
To avoid finding yourself in a similar situation, use an electronic key management system to create user profiles and access levels to control who can access different keys. The system will automatically authenticate each user so you won’t have to worry about issuing keys to the wrong people. By digitizing key control, you’ll reduce the risk of theft, unauthorized access, or lost keys.
To reduce your liability and help tenants follow key security best practices, clearly communicate your facility’s key management policies and procedures. By setting concrete guidelines, you can avoid misunderstandings and make each tenant aware of their responsibilities for handling keys. Two common places to include your key control policies are:
Using a key control system adds another layer of security. For example, when adding a user to your key control system, add a note to their profile indicating that they have a keyholder agreement on file. You can also put the lease’s end date as the due date when issuing a key. If it’s not returned by that date, the system can send you a text or email alert. Having an audit trail will help reduce your liability risk if a key is lost, stolen, or misused.
Digital locks have become increasingly popular due to their convenience. Many tenants appreciate the ability to control access remotely and grant temporary access to visitors or contractors. However, some people still prefer physical keys for various reasons, including familiarity and ease of use. Additionally, physical keys may be a better option for older facilities that don’t have the budget to install smart locks on every door.
Depending on the specific requirements of each tenant and the facility as a whole, your building’s access control might involve a combination of physical keys and digital locks. When managing mixed access control methods, remember these best practices from other facilities managers:
By finding the right balance between physical keys and digital locks, you can meet your tenants’ needs without sacrificing security or convenience.
Facilities management is filled with repetitive, detailed tasks, whether it’s managing vendors, preparing for new tenants, or coordinating work orders. When possible, use technology to help you streamline these tasks while increasing security. Some examples include:
Technology is an indispensable tool for managing the complex tasks and responsibilities you encounter every day. By optimizing workflows, you’ll enhance security and have more time to focus on other important areas of your operations.
Although safeguarding a multitenant office building is challenging, following the above key and access control best practices will help you protect your facility and those who work within it.