Find news and information for the executive corporate security director, CSO, facility manager and assets protection manager on issues of policy, products, incidents, risk management, threat assessments and preparedness.
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S-22 ACCESS CONTROL TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY 2016 JULY/AUGUST Step One: Communication As with any relationship, be it professional or personal, communication plays a crucial role. Particularly at the start of a project, you should focus on listening intently and encouraging them to communicate their needs. Start with the basics - what are their long term goals? Was there some catalyst like a security crisis that is driving their desire to install or upgrade an access control system? Are there any special considerations or limitations to be aware of? Some clients may feel as though they already know what they want, and it will be your responsibility to point out any discrepancies between what they want versus what is actually needed. That's not ever an easy task, but it will be more difficult if the client feels your primary concern is making a sale rather than improving their security. Formulate a Plan Next, you'll want to schedule a planning meeting that includes all of the key players in this process, from the facility manager to the head of finance. They will each have a vital role to play in the development of a practical solution that aligns with their building and their budget as well as determining how the system will be used and by whom. During the planning meeting, it is important to discuss the issues that most impact which solution will be select- ed, including: • The access control system's anticipated use and its overall intent. • The necessary policies and procedures for access control. • How the implementation of access control fits into the com- pany's overall security plan. • The barriers and limitations to implementation. One issue that is often overlooked during the planning process is the level of demand access control will place on bandwidth and internal networks. Involving the IT depart- ment during the planning phase will save a lot of time and frustration, and taking a collaborative approach will allow you to confirm that the IT infrastructure is up-to-date while signaling to IT that you are here to help. "I've seen the best success when a company's security and IT leaders are involved from the beginning. They set the tone for working together and jointly developing a solution," says Erik Larsen, Allegion National Account Manager – Electronic Integrators. "When security under- stands the IT infrastructure—and, how, for example, the addition of locks or cameras impacts the network—and, on the other side, when IT understands the liability and reputation risks of not having the proper security solution in place, that's when they can move forward implementing the right solution." Identify Appropriate Solutions Once you have established the overall system needs, bud- get and IT requirements, the next important decision is determining if the client is looking for a networked security system, a standalone one, or a combination of both. Request information: www.SecurityInfoWatch.com/10213140