Physical Security Solutions | Access Control and Surveillance for Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Security

Which is Better: Physical Security Solutions vs. Traditional Controls?

Some businesses still rely on traditional security controls like padlocks and security guards to protect their workplace. While these offer basic protection, they often lack advantages that modern physical security solutions have. Let’s compare the two:

Feature	Traditional Security	Modern Physical Security
Access Control	Lock and key, manual check-ins, mechanical barriers, sign-in sheets	RFID systems, smart badges, biometric scanners, PIN codes
Monitoring	Manual checks, security guard patrols	Real-time IP camera monitoring, motion sensors, object tracking, AI-powered and cloud-based surveillance
Visibility	Limited to paper logs and security guard patrols	Real-time event tracking through centralized dashboards
Response Time	Delayed due to reliance on human detection and reaction	Immediate alerts, real-time notifications, instant lockdowns
Scalability	Difficult to scale as companies need to hire more staff or purchase more security equipment	Easily adjustable based on business needs with system upgrades and network integration
Audit trails & Reporting	Manual logs are prone to human error and falsification	Automated, tamper-resistant logs with comprehensive reporting
Security Coverage	Limited, dependent on personnel availability	Wider area coverage, with 24/7 monitoring and remote access
Risk of Security Breach	High risk as keys can be duplicated and logs can be forged or tampered with	Low risk due to digital records and multi-layer authentication
Long-term Cost	Likely high due to labor costs and hardware replacements	Cost-effective due to automation, scalability, and durability of devices

What Features Should I Look for in a Physical Security System?

To ensure the effectiveness of your physical security systems, they need to possess the following capabilities:

Scalability: As your business expands, so do your security needs. Your physical security solutions should be able to adapt to changing demands, whether you’re securing more areas, reducing the number of circulated badges, or increasing security personnel.
Robust Threat Identification: Did you know that insider threats (security risks that come from inside an organization) can cost businesses as much as $15 million? That’s why your security software should include access tracking, anomaly detection, and incident reporting to address threats before they cause serious damage.
Streamlined Integration: Your physical office security system should seamlessly integrate with other security tools and workplace management platforms, such as alarm systems and IP video management solutions, emergency communication platforms, and access control software. This enables centralized monitoring, better data correlation, and faster incident response.
User-friendly Management: Lastly, your system should have an intuitive interface that simplifies user access management, activity monitoring, and report generation for audits and security reviews. A user-friendly system, also minimizes training time, reduces human error, and improves productivity and efficiency.

How Secure Are RFID and Keycard Systems? Can They Be Hacked or Cloned?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and keycard systems are generally more secure than traditional systems like padlocks or manual check-ins, thanks to their multi-layer authentication, remote management, and tracking capabilities.

However, these systems are not immune to hacking or cloning. For instance, RFID cards that operate on 125kHz systems can be copied using readily available tools. Additionally, if a lost card isn’t deactivated quickly, unauthorized individuals may gain access to your premises.

To enhance the security of RFID and keycard systems, business can combine them with biometrics or PIN codes, adding an extra layer of protection. Using encrypted RFID cards is also recommended to make cloning or tampering much more difficult.

What Is the Difference Between RFID, Badge, Biometrics, and Mobile Access?

RFID cards, electronic badges, biometrics, and mobile access systems are all security solutions used to control access to certain areas. However, each has subtle differences, such as:

RFID cards: Short for Radio Frequency Identification cards, these cards rely on embedded radio chips that transmit data to a reader without direct contact to authenticate an individual.
Badges: While also proving a person’s identity and access rights like RFID cards, badges are powered by other technologies like magnetic stripes, barcodes or QR codes, or photo IDs.
Biometrics: This involves using fingerprint, facial, voice patterns, or iris scans to verify a user's identity. These unique traits make biometrics a strong access control solution.
Mobile Access: Using Bluetooth and NFC technology or mobile applications in smartphones to authenticate a user.

Can Physical Security Systems Integrate with Other Tools Like HR Software or Alarms?

Yes! Physical security solutions can easily integrate with all of these systems. This enables centralized monitoring, improved data correlation, and quicker incident response.

For instance, integrating your HR system with access control solutions lets you quickly grant access to new employees and revoke privileges when they depart the company.

You can also link mantraps or turnstiles with your alarm network. If someone tries to bypass either, the system can trigger the alarm and notify your security personnel.

How Much Does a Physical Security System Cost?

There’s no clear-cut answer to how much a physical security system costs as this largely depends on your business’s size, security priorities, and risk level. Here are some key factors that can affect the price:

The size of your premises: Larger facilities will naturally require you to purchase more sensors, cameras, and access points.
Security measures you’ll get: While basic surveillance solutions like analog setups and security guards are affordable, advanced features like biometrics or AI-powered monitoring will come at a higher price.
Industry requirements: Businesses in high-security industries may face stricter compliance standards, which may drive up costs.
Integration complexity: Linking access control systems with your existing workplace management solutions can also increase your spending.
Scalability: Some security solutions can adjust as your business grows. However, they typically involve higher upfront investments.

Small offices may spend a few thousand dollars on basic physical security systems. Larger workplaces, on the other hand, could quickly allocate hundreds of thousands of dollars for a comprehensive system. The good news? When you partner with a physical security solutions provider like Techmedics, you’ll only pay a predictable fee that covers all of your needs without any hidden costs.

What Types of Physical Security Systems Does My Business Need?

The right physical security systems for your business depend on your specific priorities, risks, and vulnerabilities.

For example, if your business is prone to burglary, you should invest in IP surveillance cameras, alarms, and emergency response triggers to quickly detect and respond to break-ins.

But if you want to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or restricted areas, RFID cards, biometric access, and visitor management systems can help.

Should I Choose a Standalone or Networked/Cloud-Based Security System?

The choice depends on your business’s size, security goals, and budget.

Standalone Physical Security Systems: These are localized systems that operate independently, such as alarms without remote access or single-door access control systems. Ideal for small businesses and companies with minimal security needs, they have lower upfront costs and are easy to install and manage.

However, these solutions typically lack remote access, making them difficult to manage off-site. They may also require manual monitoring and report generation.
Networked/Cloud-Based Physical Security Systems: These are physical security solutions made for growing and high-risk organizations. They are connected via a company network or the internet and usually manageable from any location. Plus, these systems offer real-time alerts, automated updates and backups, and automated analytics and reporting.

To maximize networked/cloud-based physical security solutions, you’ll need to spend high upfront fees and ensure a stable internet connection.

Which One is For You?

Standalone systems may be for you if you have modest security needs and prefer a simple setup. But if your business is expanding and looking for a flexible and future-proof incident monitoring and response solution, network/cloud-based platforms are ideal.

What’s Included in Techmedics’ Physical Security Assessment?

Techmedics’ comprehensive assessment reviews your current physical security posture and suggests the best solutions and plans to implement.

Site Inspection and Perimeter Review: Our team evaluates your building layout, fences, gates, lighting, and entry/exit points and identifies any blind spots or unsecured access points.
Access Control System Evaluation: After site inspections, we examine the current access control systems you may have. These include locks, keycard readers, scanners, and visitor management procedures.
Surveillance System Assessment: This evaluation can help uncover issues like outdated cameras, poor coverage, and insufficient video storage.
Alarm and Intrusion Detection System Review: We assess whether your door sensors, motion detectors, and alarm response controls function properly and provide adequate coverage.
Environmental Security Checks: Next, our team evaluates the physical safeguards you have in place against environmental threats, such as fire suppression, flood protection, and climate control for sensitive equipment.
Security Policies and Procedures Review: We examine your sign-in/out processes, access permissions, physical security training programs, and response plans for physical breaches.
Internal Threat Assessment: Threats don’t always come from outside your company. That’s why we also check for insider risks, such as employee theft, credential misuse, and unauthorized access.
Technology Integration Review: We check whether your current security systems are centrally managed and integrated with other security solutions or workplace management systems like HR systems, and IT tools.
Compliance Check: This involves verifying if your current physical security setup meets industry standards, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, SOC 2, and others.
Reporting and Recommendations: We gather insights from the assessments and craft a comprehensive report outlining your security gaps, priority risks, and system inefficiencies. From there, we suggest hardware, software, and process upgrades, and propose short- and long-term physical security improvement plans.

Physical Security Solutions for Offices, Facilities, and Teams

What Is Physical Security, and How Does It Work

Access Control Systems

IP Video Surveillance

Alarm & Intrusion Detection Systems

Perimeter Security

What are the Benefits of Investing in Modern Physical Security?

Protection for Employees and Visitors

Improved Business Continuity

Better Compliance

Faster Response to Incidents

Our Core Physical Security Services

RFID & Smart Badge Access Systems

Biometric Access Control

Mobile Access Credentials

IP Video Surveillance

Intrusion Detection and Alarms

Visitor Management Systems

Cloud Monitoring & Remote Access

Security System Integration

Audit Logs and Compliance Reporting

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios of Physical Security

Office Building Access Control

Retail Theft Protection

Industrial Site Protection

Healthcare Facility Security

Data Center Protection

School and Campus Protection

Our Implementation Approach: From Assessment to Optimization

Consultation & Site Assessment

Network Readiness Check

Custom Design & Product Selection

Deployment & Integration

Continuous Support & Optimization

Why Choose Techmedics as Your Physical Security Provider

Network-Ready Design

Integrated Solutions

Certified Expertise

Ongoing Support

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