Pedestrians, staff and deliveries are responsible for the most headaches among security managers in residential estates and complexes. That’s according to Ariel Flax, who explains how ATG Digital is helping heads of security overcome the ‘tricky-triad’ of access control.
“As most people charged with overseeing residential security will confess, the trickiest types of access control are those which involve pedestrians, domestic workers and collections or deliveries. Each comes with its own set of challenges that must be overcome to ensure the integrity of the overall security ecosystem,” Flax explains.
On-foot visitor management
Pedestrians - whether intentionally or not - frequently ‘buck the system’. Someone on foot will most likely attempt to gain entry when a guard is otherwise engaged, often with visitors in vehicles.
For this reason, ATG Digital’s access control system has the ability to customise and set up a pedestrian profile that captures photographs, ID (or passport) numbers and offers mobile verification via an OTP (one-time pin).
Flax adds: “Scan to Call allows visitor verification by automated call. On arrival, the visitor provides information such as the resident’s name, unit number or cell (captured by the operator). On completion, an automated call to the resident enables them to either allow or deny access to the visitor.”
Identity management for domestic and garden workers
Unlike unfamiliar pedestrians, domestic and garden workers are easily recognisable. Often, someone will forget their identity tag and pressure the security officer to forego protocol by claiming that they will lose their job if they are late or absent.
“It’s an enormous weight to put on another person,” Flax sympathises. “It makes sense to shift control of opening and closing the gate to an automated system to alleviate the pressure from the guards.”
There are several options available to automate access. Domestic workers can scan a QR code, use an NFC (near-field communication) card set to allow entry on prescribed days or times, or be preregistered with a mobile or ID number. Alternatively, ATG Facial (facial recognition software) can grant access to registered profiles at pre-defined times.
Verifying collections and deliveries
With the proliferation of online shopping, access gates are overwhelmed with a flurry of helmeted guys in a hurry. “For years, fast-food delivery bikes gained access to complexes on goodwill, but you can understand why someone with a concealed face and a top box can pose a threat to security.
“To overcome this challenge, the Scan to Call feature requires the host to permit entry. Residents or tenants also receive a notification upon arrival at the gate. The guard or control room will receive an alert if the time onsite exceeds a reasonable time frame.”
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.
printer friendly version