RiskUKOctober2017

Healthcare Sector Security: Access Control Solutions
Healthcare facilities
have numerous assets
that need to be
protected from theft or
damage, while staff,
patients and visitors
must be kept safe at
all times. Gareth
O’Hara explains why
networked access
control is an ideal
security solution
Gareth O’Hara:
Chief Sales Officer at Paxton
Living Life On The Network
Healthcare security is one of the most
complex of security functions. The
National Health Service takes security
very seriously indeed. Patients need to be kept
safe while in hospital, so at all times access
must be limited to those people with a genuine
reason to be on hospital premises.
Electronic access control can provide an
efficient and convenient way of offering secure,
flexible and cost-effective building access
management. It allows people to move freely
around a facility while also permitting specific
areas (for example, an operating theatre or the
pharmacy) to be managed with higher security
where required.
Using IP technology, access control systems
can connect directly to the building’s network.
The beauty is that you don’t need to be an IT
expert to make the most of ‘IP ready’ access
control. It’s simple and straightforward to
manage and, if you’re looking to extend
building security beyond access control, it’s
also possible to integrate it with a range of
third party systems including CCTV, biometrics,
fire systems and intruder alarms.
There are a range of solutions available. On
that basis, it’s important to ask the right
questions when discussing security
requirements with your installer and/or
consultant in order to ensure the solution
matches defined needs. Systems can vary in
type, from a secure barrier in the car park
through to a video entry system at a visitor
entrance or an external door with hands-free
access and on to an integrated solution with
CCTV and intruder alarm systems.
Total convenience
If you’re thinking about improving the security
of a healthcare facility with an electronic access
control system, there are several ‘essentials’ to
bear in mind.
Networked access control has several
benefits over using traditional locks and keys,
with an important factor being that numerous
security functions can be centrally and
conveniently managed via a PC. This can control
the flow of people around a building and
restrict who has access to its various zones.
Unlike keys, electronic access control tokens
can easily be barred from the system if they’re
lost, stolen or not returned by staff or visitors.
High security options are available via
specific applications to add an extra layer of
protection if needed for certain designated
areas of a building.
Biometric integration includes fingerprint,
facial recognition and retinal scanners which
use the unique biological characteristics of an
individual to confirm access. Multi-factor
authentication means that a given end user
would have to present an access token in
addition to entering a PIN to gain entry.
Access control software can be used as an
effective HR and administration tool, providing
easy time and attendance reporting. By
allocating specific token readers for clocking in
and out, the software can be used to log the
working hours of employees. It can also note
periods of time that staff or contractors are
absent for reasons such as holidays and unpaid
leave. Reports can then be exported for use
with a variety of HR applications.
Cost-effective solutions
There are multiple opportunities where an
access control system can be used to help save
money. For example, switching utilities on or off
automatically when a user presents their
electronic token/card provides a convenient
service that businesses can use effectively.
With some access control software solutions,
system administrators can easily create rules to
grant varying permissions to different users. For
example, this might be used to assist in
meeting Health and Safety requirements,
prevent untrained staff from operating certain
machinery or stop people from accessing
restricted areas, in turn reducing the potential
risk of accidents involving staff and/or visitors.
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