SubscribeWater, Power, Telecoms and even the Rail and Highways companies face the daunting challenge of how best to secure assets that are dispersed widely across the country, often in remote locations. These assets may include sites secured by gates, fences and doors – or equipment housed in roadside cabinets. Protection may include padlocks, door locks, switches or even electronic locks which need to be opened “on demand” only by authorised personnel. This short article gives an insight into the technology now available that provides a perfect solution to the problems typically encountered in managing such diverse operations.
The Problem
At the heart of the issue in many businesses is the lack of security in typical key systems: keys can be copied, locks can be picked and there is no audit trail of activity or ability to time-restrict access. The widening knowledge of lock bumping by those who might do harm has given heightened concern to security managers. Virtually all mechanical key systems share these weaknesses – even master keyed lock systems.
Another major limitation of such master key systems is their lack of flexibility. Their implementation requires major planning in advance – and generally only gives control over the doors specified at the design stage. There is little ability to alter arrangements as a result of any changed circumstances – or to expand the control to more than standard doors (including padlocks, switches, cabinets etc).
The typical result of these problems is:
· Too many keys that are out of control and which may have been copied or lost.
· Unauthorised people accessing dangerous or sensitive areas without an audit record
or ability to time restrict their entry.
· Dangerous machinery, equipment and vehicles possibly being used by untrained staff.
· Poor control of contractors who need temporary access to property or assets – and whose activity
needs to be monitored.
If you recognise these symptoms in your business, you will be pleased to know that a perfect solution exists. Whether you need to improve security, or maybe reduce losses through greater accountability of movements, or even tighten health and safety arrangements (to areas such as high voltage buildings), then this business system will interest you.
The Perfect Solution
Consider the benefits of a single key that can be used for padlocks, door locks, cabinets and switches – with absolute control over who can go where and when. Better still – consider the benefit of just changing those areas that represent most risk at a pace to suit your circumstances - using the flexibility and cost saving of being able to swap out existing locks by using advanced replacements that are an identical shape which need no wiring – making fitting easy and cost effective.
These new locks cannot be picked – and provide an audit trail of all activity. They are also intelligent locks that can recognise if a key has been reported as lost. In this circumstance, the locks do not have to be replaced since the lock can be set to “kill” a lost key upon contact.
Of course, adopting such a powerful system is made even more worthwhile in the knowledge that the keys cannot be illegally duplicated and the locks cannot be picked – increasing security and removing uncertainty. The advantages of then being able to time restrict access to each lock – with an audit trail of all activity – allows even greater control through reliable information.
Access on demand is a major advantage of this new system. Having keys that present no security risk since they do not work until required is a major advantage to the security professional. Activation of a key can be by keypad, PC, mobile phone or PDA. The keypads may be connected to a network, telephone-line or be installed wirelessly – allowing their placement wherever needed.
The CyberLock Solution
The solution described above is called CyberKey and CyberLock. It is an advanced access control system several years ahead of anything remotely comparable on the market. Manufactured by Videx in the USA, and distributed and supported by their UK Business Partner, Access Management Systems (“AMS”), the system is already in use within major UK water, telecoms and power suppliers.
Since its UK launch at IFSEC in 2004, when CyberLock was recognised as “best new access control product of the year”, AMS have developed the concept much further with many ready made solutions for assorted industries. These include high security padlocks (from Squire, Chubb and Rotalok) as well as multi-door locking systems suitable for roadside cabinets and access doors that need to be vandal resistant. They also include solutions specially designed for the forensic and police services, as well as solutions for government.
The latest innovations from AMS include a range of high security “drop boxes” (for the safe return of mechanical keys and cards) as well as laptop protection and briefcases (that ensure confidential information remains secure). The drop boxes are also used in night clubs and public venues for the quick and safe disposal of prohibited substances.
For further information regarding CyberLock and the unique range of AMS access control solutions, please call +44 1299 872900 or email sales@amsgroup.uk.com. Details of the CyberLock system, including a short video, can be found at www.cyberlock.uk.com
More about Access Management Systems
AMS represents the interest of several worldwide companies with leading access control solutions including physical and biometric features. These include facial recognition, fingerprint recognition and wireless locks that feature advanced security code hopping and wiegand output.
AMS is a member of the Defence Manufacturers Association, EPIC, APPSS and AVA.
