Advantages of Keyless Entry for College Campuses
As students get ready to head back to school, safety is a big concern on everyone’s mind. Parents worry about safety is the highest it has ever been in the past 20 years.
Today, there is no better way to ensure the safety and protection of students, faculty and staff, as well as valuable equipment, than by installing keyless access control systems. Find out more about the benefits of using keyless locking systems on educational campuses, factors in selecting the right access control system, and how to increase its effectiveness in a college setting.
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Advantages of Access Control Systems for College Campuses
Universities are responsible for protecting students and staff, educational facilities, records, computer equipment and more, all around the campus. With thousands of doors that require security, relying on traditional keyed locks is simply ineffective.
Access control systems and keyless locks can work together to secure all the buildings on campus. This includes dormitories, educational buildings, classrooms, athletic facilities, offices, parking garages, libraries, cafeterias and other student areas. Here are the main keyless entry advantages for college campuses.
Get more information on the application of systems and hardware for Controlling Access to Schools and Classrooms.
Increased Security
With traditional locks, a single misplaced dorm key or master key is an instant security threat for faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, if a door is propped open, entry traffic can no longer be restricted. Administrators at colleges are quickly realizing the benefits of having secure entry points and recorded entry data in dorms, classrooms, offices, and athletic facilities.
First automatic locks, with spring-loaded latches, maintain safety in case someone forgets to close or lock the door. Then, access control systems can be updated as soon as an access card is reported lost or stolen, blocking the use of that user’s unique card. This is also true for former employees and staff who have left or been fired. Security managers can also disable or suspend access privileges for users any time they are considered a threat.
Lower Security Maintenance Costs
Key replacements are costly and time-consuming to manage. When you consider that the door lock must also be rekeyed or changed for security purposes, this process becomes even more expensive.
With a keyless access system, colleges don’t need to deal with the cost of key replacements. Once the lost or stolen card has been deactivated, the student or staff member can be issued a new keycard or fob with new access credentials.
Easy to Install and Scale
Larger universities appreciate the fact that access control systems are flexible and scalable. Administration can choose to replace the old locks with proximity readers on one building at a time, as the budget allows. Wireless access control systems are particularly easy to install with limited hardware and wiring involved. They can be quickly added to new or existing university facilities with practically no interruption to daily activity.
Remote Management
An access control network spreading across a large college campus, or multiple campus locations, can be integrated. Then, this articulated network can easily be overseen remotely from the security headquarters. Access permissions, alarms, and traffic reports can be managed in real-time, and in a streamlined and unified way.
Learn how Facial Recognition Technology Is Being Used to Improve Campus Security.
For these reasons – and many others – college campus administrators are opting for a more effective method of securing doors with keyless control access entry.
Watch this video to learn how one university made the decision to switch to a comprehensive keyless access system and how it helped increase security on campus.
6 Key Considerations when Choosing University Keyless Entry Systems
Before deciding what type of keyless access control system would work best for a particular university campus, we recommend consulting with an experienced locksmith. Here are some of the most crucial considerations to keep in mind as you look at different keyless entry options.
- What is the preferred type of entry device? The options include keycards or fobs which operate with proximity readers, keypads, and biometric entry.
- Should both keyed and keyless entry be possible? Combination locks can be installed. This is advantages when a secure master key system is already in place or when traditional keys are required as a backup security measure.
- How often is access required? More robust locks and efficient readers are necessary for high-traffic areas and on frequently used doors.
- Is access control needed on both sides of the door? Back-to-back locking devices are available for high-security areas and restricted spaces.
- Would you like a hold-open facility? This option enables open access to classrooms, labs, gymnasiums and other areas that may have during certain times of the day. These locks can then restrict access according to a specific campus schedule.
- Is a Lock-out Feature Needed? Doors can be tamper proofed with a type of electronic lock that automatically shuts down after three failed attempts to hack the door code.
With so many features, options and benefits of keyless locks, there’s no reason to not consider ramping up security on your college campus before the next semester starts. With professionally installed keyless entry systems, your institution may also qualify for insurance discounts.
How to Ensure the Effectiveness of Access Control for College Campuses
One of the biggest challenges to effective access control in an educational setting is known as piggybacking or tailgating. This happens when authorized faculty or students first enter a building using their access keycard. Then, these users hold the door open or allow others to enter the same door behind them without swiping their own card.
Many see this simply as a polite gesture. It’s a common practice and most people on a college campus don’t understand the security risks associated with it. Security experts advise university administrators to take the following steps in order to reduce this problem.
- Maintain a clear and strict policy for managing visitors on campus;
- Inform all faculty, staff and students on proper use of the keyless access system;
- Use surveillance monitoring at entry points;
- Automatic lockdown of the second door in the entry point providing time to address tailgaters;
- Providing on-site security personnel at high-traffic or high-security points.
Get more helpful advice on how to Enhance an Access Control System.
Commercial Locksmith Services – College Keyless Entry Systems
Student safety is always a critical priority for colleges and universities. Great Valley Lockshop has experience installing and maintaining keyless access control systems at some of the largest universities in the nation. Get more information about our campus security services.
Let us assist you with selecting the best locking system to increase security campus-wide. Call us today at (610) 644-5334 or request a quote online.
