Out with the old, in with the new
March 2017, Retail (Industry), Access Control & Identity Management
By Hendrik Combrinck, ZK Teco.
As a keen observer of what different retail stores use for access control to the back-office, it always amuses me that the dominant technology in use here is a normal keypad where everyone uses the same password.
This very vulnerable technology is used almost in all retail stores as a means of keeping the general public out of the administration offices at the back of the store. On a few occasions, I have seen the password an employee uses to open the door, and then used it myself to prove to the stores that they are not using this type of technology safely. There is no operations log that can be checked if an incident occurs, to see who opened the door in that particular time, so no one can be held responsible.
The reason why the owners or planners of retail shops always opt for this low-end technology is a mystery, but it can be one of the following reasons:
• The retail shops use what they get from the shopfitting companies.
• Aesthetics is more important than security.
• Lack of security audits by the security managers of the retail groups.
• Lack of education of the security managers that have to do the audits.
• Cost might be a factor, but I don’t think this should be, if the door is protecting people.
My opinion is that people might be staying with what they are comfortable with, despite the fact of biometric systems becoming much more cost-effective and close to the cost of a normal keypad terminal. As with any other technology, biometrics becomes more advanced and cheaper every day.
Some biometric systems even have duress functions built in, so if someone does ask you to open the door under duress, you can use your allocated duress finger to open the door and at the same time create a silent alarm or notification to a central control room. The benefits of using biometrics at these vulnerable entrances makes sense, every time.
The retail industry must make the effort to attend security events and exhibitions, like Securex and other security roadshows, to see what is available, and to educate themselves on what the best strategy is to secure the back-office door.
|
|
| Credit(s) |
| Supplied By: |
ZKTeco |
| Tel: |
+27 12 259 1047 |
| Fax: |
086 566 9640 |
| Email: |
hendrik@zkteco.co.za |
| www: |
www.zkteco.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Further reading:
- Simpler, faster and more secure
June 2017, G4S Secure Solutions, Rhyco Risk Projects, Access Control & Identity Management, Integrated Solutions
Hi-Tech Security Solutions asked three experts in the field of visitor management – Mark Paynter of TerPay Security Advisors, Gary Swart of Rhyco Risk Projects and Tim Timmins of G4S Secure Solutions – to share their insights into the features and future of visitor management solutions.
- Throwing the book at visitor management
June 2017, neaMetrics, Powell Tronics, iPulse Systems, Access Control & Identity Management, Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection, Integrated Solutions
There are a number of portable devices that can be used to replace the visitors’ book, all of which offer a heightened level of security and accuracy.
- Workforce management beyond T&A
June 2017, EOH Security & Building Technologies, Solution House, This Week's Editor's Pick, Access Control & Identity Management, Integrated Solutions
True workforce management covers all aspects of looking after your most important assets, your employee workforce.
- Jarrison Time completes integration with Anviz biometrics
June 2017, Jarrison Systems, ANVIZ SA, News, Access Control & Identity Management
Jarrison Time has completed its integration with Anviz Biometrics.
- Integration enhances simplicity
June 2017, ZKTeco, Integrated Solutions
Due to heightened awareness as well as compliance requirement around occupational health and safety issues, commercial business has had to include security as a critical component of its core operations.
- Integrating access with everything
June 2017, Suprema, neaMetrics, Integrated Solutions, CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring, Access Control & Identity Management
Suprema enhances its solutions through third-party integration with NX-Witness, Avigilon and Arteco.
- World’s slimmest FAP20 fingerprint reader
June 2017, Suprema, News, Access Control & Identity Management, Products
Along with its world’s slimmest (16 mm) and high definition optical sensor, the new BioMini Slim 2 features Suprema’s proprietary Multi-dynamic Range (MDR) technology, FBI PIV/FIPS 201/Mobile ID FAP20 compliance and Android device support.
- Morpho goes extreme
May 2017, Morpho South Africa, This Week's Editor's Pick, Access Control & Identity Management, Asset Management, EAS, RFID, News, Security Services & Risk Management
April 2017 saw the international launch of Morpho’s (or Safran Identity & Security’s) MorphoAccess SIGMA Extreme. Morpho SA’s Paul Jeremias also took the opportunity to speak about the future of the company.
- Testing integrity
May 2017, ZKTeco, Security Services & Risk Management
In South Africa, the demand for integrity employee testing has started growing in recent years.
- Give passwords the finger
May 2017, Virdi Distribution SA, Financial (Industry), Access Control & Identity Management
Biometrics in its many forms has become standard in many organisations, especially for access control and time and attendance (T&A) functionality. But biometrics can be used for much more.
- Duxbury Networking
Securex 2017 preview, Duxbury Networking, Integrated Solutions, Access Control & Identity Management
Duxbury Networking will highlight future-ready security solutions for physical and virtual networks at Securex. Under the spotlight will be a range of offerings designed to promote proactive security ...
- Keystone Electronic Solutions
Securex 2017 preview, Keystone , CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring, Access Control & Identity Management
Keystone Electronic Solutions is an electronics research and development company. During Securex 2017 the company will be showcasing Project V, a ‘stream on trigger’ solution that provides centrally managed ...
|
|
