Access Control – What you need to know

With newer technologies come better opportunities to safeguard all properties. Protection from intruders and theft are always on demand, and the latest innovations make the whole process effortless. Anyone in Dunwoody, GA (or anywhere in the country), can benefit from a state of the art safety addition like an access control system. In in recent years, access control has found a surge in popularity in both residential and commercial sectors because it is such a reliable mechanism when it comes to restricting all forms of unauthorized entry.

These are so well-regarded that you will find them in apartment complexes, homes, businesses, schools, hospitals among many other buildings with a large amount of foot traffic.

Is an access control system the best choice for your property? At Dunwoody GA Locksmith, we certainly think so. Find out for yourself by learning more about the type of security that these systems have to offer. Read on as we go through everything you need to know about this great home protection asset.

First things first: What is access control?

If you’ve heard about these technologies but you are not sure what it entails, then this section is for you.

Access controls are there to regulate property admission. Typically, the “access point” in which you will find these systems is a door – having said that, access controls can be installed in other physical barriers like parking gates and elevators too.

Basically, with an access control system installed, only authorized users can enter a property. They are granted access either electronically, or via an operator. For a bit of extra security, some access control systems may also be integrated with CCTV surveillance systems.

What benefits do these bring to my property?

Apart from letting you manage who can enter or exit your property, access control systems come with many added security benefits. In brief, here are just a few of them:

1. Access control systems don’t require physical keys, so you never have to stress over carrying multiple keys around and having these get lost when you need them the most.

1. Similarly, because there are no physical keys, you never need to change your locks to adapt to your changing needs. Lost key cards can be removed from a database and a new one can be issued without any troubles. For businesses, if an employee leaves your company you can delete their access codes within seconds.

1. Duplicating an electronic access control key is extremely difficult, meaning that your business or home will be well-protected from intruders.

1. Access control systems are customizable. You can grant someone as much or as little access to a property as you see fit – for instance, you can use the system restrict access to your commercial building after business hours.

1. No matter where you are, you can provide remote access to a property with your access control system. So if your child is locked out of your home while you’re still in the office or an employee needs access to your commercial building after hours, you could grant them access remotely.

1. Knowing exactly who is coming in and out of your property also means you get the full security benefits of history logging. Not sure what that means? We can explain. Every time someone accesses your property, it will be recorded electronically for you to review. This could be an invaluable feature when investigating any incidences of theft or vandalism as you will have a traceable record who was in your property and when.

Getting to the specifics: different types of access control

All access controls have their own special reader and credential systems. These often come in the form of a key fob, pin code or swipe card.

Commonalities aside, access control systems come in various types. Choosing the right one for your property will depend entirely on the type of protection that you are looking for.

To give you an idea, here are just some of the most popular access control systems you will encounter a day to day basis:

• Card readers
• Mechanical push buttons
• Digital locks
• Biometric fingerprint readers
• Magnetic door locks
• Security barriers
• Large metal gates
• And many, many others

How can I choose the best access control system?

That’s where the advice of a licensed and insured locksmith will come in handy.

You see, a great locksmith service provider will have worked extensively with access control systems. That means they are very familiar with the different options available, the pros and cons that come with each of them, and the best security match for various types of properties.

A professional local lock and security provider should be able to offer guidance, advice and resources that you need to make a confident investment. Many businesses offer free consultations for all customers so they can fully inform them about all of the available services. You just need to make an appointment with a crew of experts to discuss some of the security installation options that are available. Once you have selected the type of access control system you are looking for, experts will provide you with a full price quote for all of their services.

Happy with our advice? Great! Reach out to a lock and security expert in your area, as they will schedule a convenient time to come to your property to install everything for you. Within a few minutes, you will have an access control system completely set up and ready to go. Our team, if you are local, can even show you how everything works so that you can confidently create your combination and regain full control of your property protection.

With the latest access control technologies, all Dunwoody, GA, properties are guaranteed to be protected. Affordable solutions are well within all property owners’ reach, and our locksmiths could help you find your ideal access control choice.

Article source here: Access Control – What you need to know

Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Because of technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), our lives are different today than they once were and better, as a result, in so many ways.  We live in an age where one no longer needs a key to enter his/her home. Effortlessly, we can recount to our friends how many miles we have walked and calories we have burned. And we no longer have to be present to turn the lights on or off at home.

However, along with the technological advances come new unchartered waters. The same technology that makes it all possible also comes with security and privacy-related imperfections. Just as thieves could enter your home after finding the key hidden under the doormat, there are often technological ways for modern-day thieves to do the same.

Below are five practical security and privacy tips for consumers of IoT technology including fitness bands, smart home door locks, and the like:

For wearers of fitness bands, disable Bluetooth outside the home.

Because eavesdropping by others within about 100 yards may be possible, turn off Bluetooth while you are out walking, jogging and running. Turn it back on when you return home thereby allowing the fitness band to sync the data it collected with your phone.

If you are using public WiFi, don’t use your smartphone to control your home settings.

Imagine you are sitting in the airport using the free WiFi as you head out on vacation. You want to check to make sure you closed the garage door and then want to schedule when to turn your home’s lights on and off. It would be safer to switch off WiFi and use your carrier’s cellular network to do so.

For users of electronic locking systems, learn how to disable keys associated with your smart phone in case of loss or theft.

Just realized your wife lost her phone? Hopefully the maker of your door lock provides a way for you to disable the key to the front door such as by logging into its website from another device and disabling the electronic key linked to the lost device.

If the device came with a “default” password, PIN, or key code, change it.

Devices often provide default usernames, passwords, PINs, key codes, etc.  Change these as soon as you are able.  When thieves and hackers try to attack you they begin with these “low hanging fruit” before attempting more complex attacks. Would be hackers and thieves may give up and look for someone easier to attack than you.

Do your homework.

Make sure you research whether the IoT device you are purchasing offers security protections.

For more tips, just visit Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves page.

Article source here: Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Because of technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), our lives are different today than they once were and better, as a result, in so many ways.  We live in an age where one no longer needs a key to enter his/her home. Effortlessly, we can recount to our friends how many miles we have walked and calories we have burned. And we no longer have to be present to turn the lights on or off at home.

However, along with the technological advances come new unchartered waters. The same technology that makes it all possible also comes with security and privacy-related imperfections. Just as thieves could enter your home after finding the key hidden under the doormat, there are often technological ways for modern-day thieves to do the same.

Below are five practical security and privacy tips for consumers of IoT technology including fitness bands, smart home door locks, and the like:

For wearers of fitness bands, disable Bluetooth outside the home.

Because eavesdropping by others within about 100 yards may be possible, turn off Bluetooth while you are out walking, jogging and running. Turn it back on when you return home thereby allowing the fitness band to sync the data it collected with your phone.

If you are using public WiFi, don’t use your smartphone to control your home settings.

Imagine you are sitting in the airport using the free WiFi as you head out on vacation. You want to check to make sure you closed the garage door and then want to schedule when to turn your home’s lights on and off. It would be safer to switch off WiFi and use your carrier’s cellular network to do so.

For users of electronic locking systems, learn how to disable keys associated with your smart phone in case of loss or theft.

Just realized your wife lost her phone? Hopefully the maker of your door lock provides a way for you to disable the key to the front door such as by logging into its website from another device and disabling the electronic key linked to the lost device.

If the device came with a “default” password, PIN, or key code, change it.

Devices often provide default usernames, passwords, PINs, key codes, etc.  Change these as soon as you are able.  When thieves and hackers try to attack you they begin with these “low hanging fruit” before attempting more complex attacks. Would be hackers and thieves may give up and look for someone easier to attack than you.

Do your homework.

Make sure you research whether the IoT device you are purchasing offers security protections.

For more tips, just visit Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves page.