Access control systems deteriorate over time. They receive wear and tear regularly, so the owners expect deterioration. This includes all components of the system, such as the closing devices, the latches, and the card readers. When a component fails, a loophole appears in the security system. Owners might find it easy to identify the source of the issue, but this isn’t always the case. For instance, the owner might overlook a smoke detector that doesn’t work properly until there is a security incident. However, maintenance of the system slows this deterioration and identifies any potential problems early.
Additional Issues That May Arise
People often look to the physical components of the system when something goes wrong. However, never overlook the software responsible for running the system. Companies hire and fire employees, individuals choose to move on to a new job, and a staff member might receive a promotion. When these events occur, the company must adjust the person’s access rights, which requires a change to the database. Improperly maintained access databases pose security risks. A person might access an area they lack authorization for, espionage becomes of concern, vandalism could lead to system problems, and a person allowed to enter an area of the premises could find they cannot do so.
Companies might minimize the risk of espionage, only to find doing so is a mistake. A business must know who is accessing its system at any given time. Sadly, accessing a competitor’s system often takes little time and effort by the spy. In fact, a spy might simply contact the systems administrator, claim they lost their password and ID, and receive the information for a vacationing employee. Other spies visit a company and use an employee terminal belonging to the vacationing employee. They get information from memos the employee wrote outlining the amount the company bid on a project or other sensitive material.
Once a spy accesses the system, they can get a significant amount of information in a short period. The level of intrusion varies by the spy’s skill level. Research and development companies could find months or years of work vanish and their company fails because their data is no longer exclusive following the invasion. This serves as only one example of issues that arise when companies don’t maintain software security.
The Importance of Access Control System Maintenance
Access control serves as the key component of many company security strategies like Vivint Security. Being proactive remains critical for this reason. When a company carries out preventative maintenance, they identify vulnerabilities before these areas become an issue. Fixing minor problems takes little effort and safeguards the system from a major breakdown. The maintenance ensures the sustainability of the system while extending the lifespan of the hardware. A failure to maintain the system could lead to employees being unable to access their workstations. In addition, employees may get authorization to areas they shouldn’t because of the lack of maintenance.
A well-maintained system, in contrast, protects the company’s assets. It ensures vendors and customers cannot gain access to high-value areas and employees remain in authorized areas. Systems continue to become smarter, which means they become more vulnerable. As a result, companies must properly maintain their system to reduce security risks. Companies often request help from Action Lock Doc when carrying out these maintenance tasks.
The Components of a Maintenance Contract
Every maintenance contract varies, and business owners must review the conditions of the service inspections before signing with an access control system maintenance company. When reviewing the contract, look for information on the frequency of visits, including corrective services and routine preventative services. Learn how much each service costs, what products are covered, how to reach the company outside normal business hours, and more.
This contract needs to include a maintenance checklist, which typically varies by the level of protection desired. However, all contracts should include basic items. This includes updating and backing up the system, checking the exterior components, adjusting and cleaning system locks, and sealing and weathering any outdoor components. However, companies might wish to have other items included in the contract.
A company might request a system performance analysis as part of their regular maintenance. In addition, they may desire a check of their battery power supply and an inspection of the main power supply. An interruption in power could lead to failure of the system and unauthorized access. Most maintenance contracts include the cleaning of system locks, but the company may also request other control components be cleaned. They might have the maintenance provider examine the system components and record any variation, such as in the keypads and readers. Network connections between door controllers cannot be overlooked during the maintenance visit, and it never hurts to have the smoke detectors and alarm systems examined. Audible warning devices must work properly to alert employees to any system failure.
Upon completion of the visit, the maintenance provider needs to alert the business owner to any damage to the system and components that will probably fail in the near future. They should provide a log of any test results and review data logs to identify any unusual readings. This information needs to be provided to the business owner along with recommendations for system maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
Every company must make access control system preventative maintenance a priority. Businesses that fail to do so put themselves at risk and could find they cannot continue operations following a security breach. Although it may seem wise to cut back on these visits during different times, never do so. The money saved in the short run could lead to high costs in the future. These costs could come as a result of a major system failure, a security breach, a leak of the confidential company or client information, or a burglary.
Regular maintenance does much more than prevent these issues. Companies find with regular maintenance they learn more about their components, where changes might be needed in the future, and how the system functions. This provides the business owner with peace of mind, knowing their system won’t fail when they need it most. No price can be put on this.
