The integration of video and access control systems is a popular request by manufacturing and industrial facilities during security assessments and/or routine upgrades. Linking these systems maintains situational awareness while avoiding security risks involved with failure to follow proper safety codes and requirements. As a result, this integration produces higher productivity and lower costs while deterring the normally incurred downtimes and misguided operational procedures.
The installation and integration of IP cameras along interior and exterior doors with an access control system (as a means of verifying the movement of people and assets) provides accountability to the organization and simplifies an investigation. Cameras linked to strategic door locations provide management:
- Up-to-date records of inventory, processes, and employee productivity
- Knowledge of which employees are on site and whether they are in the correct department
- Knowledge of any visitors on site and what area they will be visiting
- Protection against costly false liability claims
With IP-based technology, video surveillance can help stitch situational information together by displaying critical information from the access control system in a single, unified interface that makes searching extremely fast. A popular function of the interface is a visual layout or map of the facility that pinpoints key access points and surveillance cameras. Users are given an instant overview and the ability to verify the status of all entry points. In the event of an unauthorized user attempting to gain access to an area with assets of a very high value, the system sends an alert to the central station as a notification so that either:
- Live video can be referenced as a method of verification, or
- The camera activates to record or take a snapshot. This then triggers the alarm and an alert, with an image, can be emailed to multiple recipients for action.