4 Tips for Safeguarding Your Door Entry System Against Cyberattacks

Like many commercial organizations in Houston, TX, your business likely uses an access control system to monitor entries/exits, control building access, and reduce the risk of unauthorized building entry. But what happens if the system that’s supposedly safeguarding your employees, staff and data falls under attack?

Door entry systems have increasingly become the targets of hackers launching sophisticated cyberattacks. Unfortunately, access control systems have multiple points of vulnerability where hackers can strike. Read our blog below to learn four simple steps you can take to reduce common vulnerabilities and keep your buildings safe. 

SEE ALSO: Want an Access Control System That Doesn’t Lock You In?

Protect Your Door Entry System from Security Vulnerabilities

With cyberattacks on the rise across the U.S., there’s no better time to perform a full audit to identify and correct vulnerabilities in your access control system. Here are four action items you can take now.

1. Make your card system tamper-proof. A keycard and reader system is one of the oldest, simplest, and most common access control solutions deployed in businesses. They’re also one of the least secure options. Keycards are easily hacked and copied, making them an enormous security risk for your business. Take measures to safeguard a card system by embedding tamper-proof features in readers and using encrypted smart cards.

2. Consider switching to mobile access. Mobile access is one of the most secure credentials your business can use for door entry when implemented correctly. A mobile credential automatically offers two-factor authentication. The phone must be unlocked (requiring employees to input a PIN or pass a biometric scan) and then scanned by the door reader to grant access to a building. People are rarely without their mobile phones these days and will have much more incentive to keep an eye on their phones than an easily misplaced keycard or fob.

3. Educate employees and staff. If your door entry system requires employees and vendors to have physical tokens — like a car or key fob — make sure all staff members receive education on protecting their credentials and what to do if a card or fob is stolen or lost. Employees should be instructed to immediately report a lost or stolen keycard or key fob so that your system administrator can revoke access to it.

4. Leverage additional security components. Integrate security devices like surveillance cameras and alarms with your access control system. If someone tampers with the system, a burglar alarm can sound, and the surveillance camera can capture and record the incident. Smart alarm and camera systems will instantly notify the system administrator or security guard when an intrusion is detected.

Work with an Integrator to Safeguard Your System 

ASAP Security Services has experience designing and installing secure and reliable access control solutions in public and commercial sectors. To learn more about door entry systems, set up a consultation with our team by calling (877) 418-ASAP, filling out our contact form, or starting a live chat with us below. We look forward to working with you!