Category: Access Control

Top 3 Areas to Improve School Security with Electronic Access Control

Securing K-12 school buildings is a critical responsibility for facilities managers. With increasing concerns about school safety, implementing electronic access control (EAC) systems has become a best practice. A layered security approach, starting from the outside and moving inward, is recommended to ensure comprehensive protection. This method enhances security and allows for phased implementation, making […]

Facility Safety and Privacy: Best Practices to Deploy Facial Authentication in 2024

People need to be safe at work. It’s a prerequisite for productivity, collaboration, and creativity. With personal safety fears at a three-decade high, many people are looking to their employers to provide more secure environments. Leaders are responding. Three-quarters of businesses say that security is an increasing priority, and they are putting their money where […]

SIA Survey: Industry Confidence Spikes Among Security Leaders

Political conflict and gridlock may be weighing on some businesses, but more than seven out of 10 security industry leaders still reported positive conditions at their companies, according to the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) September-October Security Market Index (SMI) survey. Twenty-eight percent of survey participants said that current business conditions are “excellent,” while 43% described them […]

Adjusting Facility Design to Meet Today’s Security Demands

When designing facilities from the ground up, several key safety factors are understandably considered to ensure the safety of occupants. HVAC and fire code compliance—like fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, and proper ventilation—are crucial. Planners ensure new facilities have clear exit paths, accessible exits, and adequate lighting. Facilities may incorporate basic security measures such as […]

The New Era of Office Security: Leveraging Technology for Safety and Efficiency

Today’s workplaces are always changing. With decentralized offices, increasing visitor numbers, and constant security worries, facilities managers have their hands full. Manual processes and old-school security systems just can’t keep up, leading to vulnerabilities and bottlenecks. Traditional tools create blind spots in data and security, limit space optimization, and hinder effective resource planning. Thankfully, technological […]

Back to Basics: How to Keep Parking Garages Secure

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know.  Facilities management and security professionals whose facilities include parking garages should take steps to increase the security of these structures, which have their own unique challenges. Many busy facilities have parking garages because more vehicles can be […]

How to Better Secure Your Healthcare Facility

Violent incidents in healthcare facilities are rapidly increasing. That’s why including security elements into the design of healthcare facilities is top of mind for Brendan Riley, MS, CHPA, the director of security, parking, and transportation at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, a part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health system. Facilities managers […]

Pennsylvania Offers Schools $120M for Security Upgrades, Mental Health Support

As students and teachers return to classrooms across the country, school safety is top of mind. In Pennsylvania, schools and other eligible entities are now able to apply for $120 million in grant funding to make physical security upgrades and strengthen behavioral health support. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee […]

The Role of People Counters in Smart Building Management

Smart building technologies have revolutionized how facilities managers approach efficiency, safety, and productivity. The increasing popularity of smart buildings has illustrated a pressing need to adapt to the changing needs of individuals and businesses in an ever-evolving industry. Among the many innovations that have gained traction in recent years, people counting systems have emerged as […]