Modernizing and Integrating Key Control

By Fernando Pires

At one time, keys were kept in boxes or drawers with little to no control over who had access to any given key. Even as security systems entered the digital, and then the networked world, key control continued to exist separately from other system components and business operations.

But as key control is one of the main components of effective access control, it is essential for it to be part of an integrated system. Fortunately, technology developments and new products have made it possible to integrate key control as part of a facility's networked security system.

Key control is especially important for casinos and gaming, correctional facilities, health care institutions, hospitality businesses, multi-family buildings and educational facilities. It is also a critical function for anyone overseeing security at conference centers, government agencies, control rooms, automotive businesses and corporate buildings. These users always need to know who has possession of a key and when it was taken. They have a need for complete control over their keys, with a system that seamlessly manages and monitors keys and that interoperates with access control and other security systems.

Today, the most advanced key management solutions have open protocols to enable connectivity to access control and other systems provided by a range of integration partners. A system can be connected to edge devices networked via Ethernet. Critical information about key control can now be communicated across multiple systems, enabling additional security actions to be taken. For example, a user who has taken a specific key can be denied egress from the facility until the key is returned - and selected management can be alerted via email if a key has not been returned on time.

A key control system with programmable software can enable system managers to establish permission levels for each user, as identified by an assignable PIN (Personal Identification Number) code that the user enters on a keypad. Managers can monitor data from any desktop connected to the network. Advanced software can run activity reports, sort activities based on various criteria, view and print reports, etc. System managers can generate practical management reports, which trace key movements by time, date and user code, with audit trail reports to indicate the time and date of each key accessed by a user for a given time parameter. 

Such capabilities can revolutionize the function of key control, transforming it from its historical role as a separate function into its rightful place as a critical component of a cutting-edge security system.

About the Author:
Fernando Pires began his career with Morse Watchmans in 1983. With over 25 years as co-owner, Pires has led Morse Watchmans to its current industry position as one of the most recognized names in security management products. Find out more at www.morsewatchmans.com 

Rutgers Study Finds Alarm Systems Are Valuable Crime Fighting Tool

A comprehensive study of five years of statistics by researchers at the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) in Newark found that residential burglar alarm systems decrease crime. While other studies have concluded that most burglars avoid alarm systems, this is the first study to focus on alarm systems while scientifically ruling out other factors that could have impacted the crime rate.
What other results did the study find?

Countywide Alert System Calls Thousands Public Can Sign Up To Get Traffic, Weather Via Cell Phone, E-Mail

Minutes after US Airways Flight 1549 successfully splash landed on the Hudson River, Union County emergency management officials were among those to receive text messages about rescue and response efforts taking place in Hudson County.
What other applications does this technology have?


South Africa's Transnet Port Terminals Expands
NICE's IP Video Surveillance Environment in National Security Upgrade Initiative

NICE Systems , the global provider of advanced solutions that enable organizations to extract Insight from Interactions to drive performance, announced that Transnet Port Terminals, the largest cargo terminal operator in South Africa, is expanding NICE's IP video surveillance environment at Durban Car Terminal and Ngqura, for a total of five port terminals.
What does the expansion mean?