How to keep schools safe and secure with access control equipment

Schools are very busy environments with lots of pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the day, something which presents a challenge in terms of security. How can schools ensure that their sites remain safe from crime and under control with so much activity? Here we look at the role that access control equipment can play.

According to Ofsted guidelines, schools are required to provide a safe and secure environment for children to reside in. This means that it is essential for schools to find ways to secure the entry points of their sites. Whether this is achieved through access control equipment like intercoms, keypads, cards or fobs, or by installing a turnstile system allowing staff to check credentials, it should be high on the agenda when looking at how to meet their expected requirements.

It’s not only their pupils that schools are obliged to find ways to protect, either. Many schools today hold lots of important confidential information as well as highly valuable equipment such as computers, printers, photocopiers, TV’s, medical supplies and much more. The relatively low-key attitude that many schools have taken in the past to site security means that walk-in-thieves and trespassers view them as easy targets. Access control equipment strategically placed can help to shut down access in certain areas where high value equipment is stored, making it more difficult to access, at least for those who are unauthorized to do so.

Many businesses and organizations turn to us for access control equipment as a means of recording attendance, both among staff and among pupils. By installing fobs or key card systems at strategic points through a school you can ensure that you have up to date records of who is on your site and when they arrive and leave. This is a proven way to not only reduce absenteeism and truancy but also to help with fire safety guidelines.

Access control equipment may be a relatively new concept for schools, however in uncertain times, it can provide pupils, staff and parents peace of mind that no unauthorized visitors are making their way onto the site to cause harm.

Gateway Automation provides a range of products including access control equipment to help businesses and individuals secure their sites against crime. We also provide nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers and other perimeter security equipment. To find out more please call us on 01522 682255.

How to plan for the worst: What major threats do businesses in the UK face?

Every successful business has been through testing times at some point along the way. However, what separates the businesses that thrive from the ones that fail is their ability to plan for the worst. Here we will look at some of the most common, and devastating, threats to businesses in the UK and how you can protect against them.

1 – Cyber Crime
It seems we can’t go more than a couple of weeks without news of a high-profile business falling victim to cybercrime, losing data or being extorted. Whether public organizations like the NHS, private companies or individuals, everyone is a target when it comes to cybercrime. Threats like ransomware, keyloggers and other malware mean that it is more important than ever to take internet security seriously and avoid falling victim to gangs of cyber criminals.

2 – Internal Crime
Another threat that businesses sometimes face is that of their own employees. Whether through the theft of data, or assets such as vehicles, computer equipment, technology, cash or high value products like petrol, there are a great number of ways that businesses can be duped by their own. One way that businesses can protect themselves is to consider securing high value equipment, cash and other assets in areas that are protected with access control equipment.

3 – Tech failures
Businesses increasingly rely on computer technology or other machines to go about their business. If your business relies heavily on equipment, then you need to consider carefully what you would do if that equipment is compromised. Is your data backed up? Do you have contingency plans in place if equipment fails? A business continuity and recovery plan can help you to plan for this type of scenario.

4 – Natural disasters and damage to infrastructure
Floods and storms are two potential disasters which can affect businesses in the UK, as well as heavy weather conditions such as snow. If you are in a high-risk flood area, then you should already have some measures in place to protect against water damage. However, in some cases bad weather can come from nowhere and in areas which are not typically at risk. You could also fall victim to unexpected internal damage such as burst pipes and electrical fires. The solution here is to be prepared with a continuity and recovery plan.

5 – External crime
By far the biggest threat to businesses in the UK is that of external crime from people outside of their organization. Crime against businesses has spiked in recent years and many have fallen target to devastating crimes like criminal damage, arson, shoplifting, and burglaries. It has affected a wide range of industries too targeting everyone from retail, hotel and leisure facilities to banking, commercial, transport, distribution, warehousing and universities, colleges and schools.

Here at Gateway we have worked with countless businesses to help reduce the threat of crime against their premises. We use risk assessments to calculate exactly where a business may be lacking in their security efforts and make sensible recommendations on where to improve – whether through barriers, bollards, gates, turnstiles, access control equipment, security posts, speed ramps, rising kerbs, road blockers or something else entirely, we only implement the very best solutions. We also provide nationwide servicing and repairs to security equipment. To find out more please call us on 01522 682255.