The latest features on offer from modern Access Control systems.
Here are some of our Top Tips for selecting Access Control Systems andPolicies that will enable you to spot Access Abuse in your Garden Square. Ifyou are thinking of replacing your Access Control system, do contact us forfurther impartial advice.
1: Use Trackable Fobs
The first and most important factor in selecting an Access Control system, is ensuring it offers unique and trackable fobs that are assigned to individual residents. The systems we recommend allow Garden Managers to easily track fobs, unlocking multiple practical benefits, including:
- If there is a behavioural issue / incident in the Garden, you can trace both potential culprits and witnesses
- If you see a single fob ID being used repeatedly, and by different groups, you have a reason to investigate cloning
2: Use Clone Proof/Resistant Fobs
As we cover in our separate article on the prevelance of fob cloning, the best(but not the most expensive) Access Control systems offer Fobs that are near impossible to clone. Sadly the adoption of these systems among Garden Squares is low, despite the clear incentive for bad actors to clone fobs.
Garden Managers should look to install Access Control systems with anti-cloning technology, such as a running audit log captured on both the fob and the system.
3: Have Remote Access
Many dated Access Control systems are regrettably still being installed in Communal Gardens, that whilst offering fob-tracking, require physically connecting to a box in the garden, or in some cases the fob reader itself, to download usage logs. This is not only completely impractical, but also makes you reliant on slow and costly call-outs to get audit logs, almost defeating the purpose. It’s also not unknown for Access Control contractors to accidently wipe audit logs whilst attempting to download them.
4: Actively Delete "Lost" Fobs
One of the common exploits is where a valid keyholder gets additional fobs simply by falsely claiming to have lost their current fob, paying for a replacement, knowing the original fob will never be cancelled.
Indeed many fob systems used by Gardens come with unnecessarily arduous processes around cancelling fobs, making them little better than a traditional key syste,
Indeed we have experienced dozens of Garden Users presenting multiple fobs per household on fob-handover day, expecting for multiple fobs in return…
5: Combine with CCTV
Where you suspect Access Abuse, such as a property’s key fob ID being used by multiple families/groups in short succession, it helps to be able to gather additional evidence. This is where having cost-effective camera systems monitoring the entry points into Gardens becomes invaluable.
Related Posts
Challenges to be aware of when installing a new Access Control System.