Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Hands-on Solutions

September 20, 2001
The New York City Law Department solved its time and attendance problem by installing HandReaders from Recognition Systems. The newly installed HandReaders also provide more effective access control.
The New York City Law Department employs over 1,500 people at ten different locations. This includes hundreds of attorneys constantly coming and going - taking depositions, heading to court and often working late on nights and weekends.

With so many people coming and going at several different locations, the New York City Law Department needed a comprehensive security system with many functions. It needed something to help monitor time and attendance, since the payroll process was becoming expensive and labor intensive. In addition, it needed a solution that would allow employees easy access to the buildings during and after hours, all while providing a sense of security.

All Swiped Out

"We used to use slide cards for security ingress and egress, but there were several issues to contend with," says Malachy Higgins, director of administration, New York City Law Department, Manhattan, N.Y. "But that arrangement was inconvenient and expensive because the cards were often lost or damaged. Card administration was time- consuming. There was too much maintenance to contend with."

Another issue was tracking time and attendance. As mentioned earlier, cards could easily be shared, which allows for employees to swipe cards for each other.

"We used to have people use swipe cards to gain entrance to their offices and then sign in. With so many employees, it was hard to verify who was working when," says Higgins. "Having people sign in created a lot of paperwork."

All in the Hands

The New York City Law Department took matters into its own hands, so to speak, and found a better way of doing things. The solution: HandReaders from Recognition Systems, Inc. (RSI).

"The HandReader provides a more reliable solution," says Higgins.

RSI's HandReader allows only authorized persons to enter a building, without the hassle of a card or key. The HandReader also improves payroll accuracy and simplicity by eliminating "buddy punching" and centralizing computer- data storage.

Initially, the HandReaders were installed as part of the local area network (LAN) at each location. Now, all nine locations are part of a wide area network (WAN). This makes it easier to monitor who is going where, when.

Problem Solved

With any technology, user comfort is an important aspect. Higgins notes that employees were surprisingly comfortable with the Hand-Readers.

"We met with the Unions before the installation to explain what the technology was and how it would work," he says. "The employees seemed to adjust quickly."

Since everyone's handprint is unique, all employees had to be registered individually. This proved to be a benefit, as well, because it became a training method of sorts. While being registered, someone would personally show each employee how to use the HandReader, so it became easy to use in a short period of time.

"Initially, we decided to get the Hand -Readers to monitor time and attendance," says Higgins. "However, we soon realized we could use them to control building access as well. The HandReaders are a convenient, cost-effective solution. They've made our facilities much more secure. Access cards can be shared, but with this system, only an authorized person can enter a facility."

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cyber Tactics Column
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

Shopping mall

Victoria’s Secret Security Incident Shuts Down Website

Laptop with coding on ground

Stepping Into the Light: Why CISOs Are Replacing Black-Box Security With Open-Source XDR

Gift cards and credit cards

Why Are Cyberattacks Targeting Retail? Experts Share Their Thoughts

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

From animal habitats to bustling crowds of visitors, a zoo is a one-of-a-kind environment for deploying modern security technologies.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • SEC0721-Edu-Feat-slide1_900px

    COVID-19 brought all hands on deck: Why we need to keep it that way

    See More
  • SEC0221-ProdSpot-Feat-slide1_900px

    Innovative security solutions on the market

    See More
  • building entrance freepik

    Abundant attention focused on touchless door control solutions today

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing