You and loyal steed have traveled across vast foreign lands, through golden plains, up mountains, and across rivers. Finally, after many a moon, you’ve arrived at a castle. But this castle has security like none other – it has a sturdy bronze gate, 24/7 archers at the arrowslits, and of course a dragon waiting inside. The castle’s gate and access control systems make it impenetrable. Hopefully, the king has you on his guest list.
From the Arch of Constantine in Rome to Inti Punku in Peru, gates and access control have been around for centuries. The two systems often function together with gate entry systems providing a first line of defense at a property’s perimeter.
Gates are one of the many components of an access control system, which often include door alarms, motion sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, and more. In this article we’ll discuss how your business can choose the right gate and access control systems, keeping you safe and secure.
In this Article
- Know the Area
- Determine the Right Features
- Set Your Budget for Gate and Access Control
- Pick Your Equipment
- Choosing a Manufacturer
- Customized Gate Entry and Access Control
Step 1: Know the Area
Determining the area you need to secure is the first step to the right gate and access control system. This might sound obvious, but a gate system for a commercial building’s parking structure will differ tremendously from a gate for a healthcare facility. Facility size, important assets, the surrounding area, vehicles, and foot traffic should all be taken into account before you invest in any security technology. Below is a checklist of the five most important things to know about your property.
The 5 Most Important Aspects to Know
- Facility Size: Start by measuring the facility. Determine exactly what needs security and what doesn’t. Take note of any areas containing especially sensitive information or property.
- Property and Assets: Know what’s in or on the property. Audit valuable assets and their locations. Consider areas where sensitive data is kept and where this data is located in respect to the gate.
- Surrounding Area/Neighborhood: The area surrounding your facility can impact your security. Take note of foot traffic patterns, especially at night. Consider data like crime reports as well. These will help you determine the strength of security necessary.
- Foot Traffic on the Property: An office building lobby in Miami will have different foot traffic than in its parking garage. Its lobby will have different traffic than the K-12 school across town. Logging foot traffic will help you determine the gate or access control system that’s right for you.
- Vehicles: Security directors at a warehouse and a commercial highrise each need a way to control ingress and egress from their respective properties. However, one needs to monitor cars of employees and visitors while the other needs to make sure big rigs get to the right loading dock. Bottom line: gate and access control systems come in many varieties. Make sure you pick the one that fits the vehicles entering your property.
Step 2: Determine Gate and Access Control Features
You know your property like the back of your hand. You know that 15-20 people come and go from the property at night, that the space is 25,000 sq. ft., and that every other day the CEO of one of your tenants visits the vending machines at 2:13 p.m. for a Slim Jim. Now it’s time to find the right gate and access control systems.
Finding the right system can be challenging. After all, there are a lot of options. One of the ways you can find the perfect fit is by prioritizing access control features. Take a look at the following characteristics and think about how you might prioritize them in your business or community.
- Scalability
How fast does your business or organization intend to grow? A K-12 school in Cedar Key, Florida might stay the same for 100 years. In this case, scalability isn’t important and the school’s IT administrators can prioritize other access control features like good visitor management. Conversely, an enterprise with multiple buildings across the country and plans to expand may need something more scalable. Cloud-based access control is the most scalable system available. It connects gates, doors, surveillance cameras, and more into one system. Security teams can scale cloud access control faster because hardware is not stored on site. Instead, a third-party platform like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Entra manage these servers.
- Integrations
API integrations connect disparate or isolated systems together. For example, a hospital security team might integrate their security cameras with their visitor management. Initially, the visitor might receive a digital QR-code badge. When they scan the badge at the parking garage gate, then the integration between the visitor management system and the security cameras will alert and send corresponding video to the security team.
- Access Credentials
Access credentials are the information access control systems need to grant users entry permission. Credentials are stored in a variety of ways including – key cards, key fobs, and digital wallets on your smartphone. Bluetooth or NFC technology transmits the credential information to the system to verify access permissions. Biometric readers use a retina or fingerprint as access credentials. Choosing a credential type is an important step in finding the best access control system for you.
Access Control Systems (By Credential Type)
- Smartphone Access Control
- Key card Access Control
- Biometric Access Control
- Intercom Access Control
Credentials come with different cost and security considerations. For example, some businesses will use physical key cards, but these come with risks. They are more frequently misplaced than mobile credentials.
Additionally, executives that visit multiple buildings might need multiple key cards, increasing the chance that they get misplaced. On the other hand, mobile credentials aren’t lost as often, but they might be more expensive to use.
- Adaptability
Your business gets burglarized, and you can’t adjust your security to stop it from happening again.
Adaptability in access control means that your security system can adjust in real time. When you need to change user roles or to adjust to threats or environmental conditions, an adaptable system will keep costs low.
The key to this step? Determining features you need versus the features you want.
A clear vision will ensure you get the right gate access control even if there are challenges with the next step – budgeting.
Step 3: Set Your Budget for Gate Entry and Access Control
Remember the castle from the intro? The castle’s king never understood security – until his head knight explained it.
Getting approval for security budgeting is often a headache at best. In many instances owners, finance, and CEOs can make the process complicated. Don’t make the process more stressful. Here are some tips for IT and security teams to budget for your gate or access control system.
- Communicate with Stakeholders
Before you even start talking numbers, make sure all key players understand the “why” behind the gate system or access control project. Use relatable examples (yes, even “castle examples” if they help) to show the risks of your current security system. Discuss the benefits of an update.
Gather input from each stakeholder so they feel their concerns are heard and reflected in the plan. This process builds trust and ownership.
- Research Thoroughly
What’s the difference between the HID’s Mercury MP-series controllers and Avigilon’s proprietary controllers? How many users will you be able to have for Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 pricing for mobile credentials?
Know your options before pitching a budget. Compare different systems, features, and costs so you can confidently explain why your choice offers the best balance of security, scalability, and value. Include details like warranty, support, and upgrade paths to show you’ve considered the long game.
- Gather Referrals
Reach out to other businesses or organizations like yours. Interview property managers or security professionals who have recently installed similar systems. Listening to firsthand experiences from those who have recently installed a gate or access control system is invaluable and helps avoid costly mistakes later on.
- Find a Trusted Security Integrator
Security integrators can make all the difference in a project’s success. Look for one with proven experience and the ability to customize solutions to your specific needs. The right partner won’t just install equipment, they’ll ensure it works seamlessly with your operations and adapts to your future needs.
Speaking of trusted security integrators, did you know SafeTouch has over 30 years of industry expertise? See how we can help assess, purchase, and install a system that’s right for you.
Step 4: Pick Your Gate and Access Control Equipment
You’ve set your budget and prioritized the features. Now, it’s time to pick the equipment. This article is about gate and access control systems, so if all you need are these systems, then feel free to skip this section. However, you have the option to make your system more secure and robust by considering other security equipment. We’ll go over the basics below, but feel free to reference the linked guides for more detail.
- Gates
Gates are the first layer of perimeter defense. They keep your business more secure, your employees safe, and deter criminals – so, choosing the right one is crucial. Gates are typically named and sold based on two characteristics: design and integration with access control. Swing gates, slide gates, and vertical lift gates are a few of the many gates labeled by design. Gates systems, on the other hand, include RFID Gate Access Control, Keypad Gate Access Control, and Intercom Access Control. To learn more about what each gate system offers, check out SafeTouch’s gate access control blog.
- Access Control Systems
Access control systems are the brains of security. Make sure you’ve tested the software interface and understand tasks like how to provision credentials, emergency response, monitoring cameras, and keeping access logs. Access control systems are typically on-premises or cloud-based, though hybrid systems do exist.
Additionally, make sure you understand the payment requirements and whether your system uses non-proprietary or proprietary hardware. Some users will choose a proprietary hardware manufacturer only to find themselves stuck with outdated security when the manufacturer goes out of business years later. This type of scenario can be extremely time consuming and costly, so make sure you know what you’re investing in. Learn more about finding the right access control system, here.
- Video Surveillance
Keeping watch 24/7 can be difficult. However, an integrated video management system (VMS) makes monitoring security convenient. Video surveillance is often one of the first purchases businesses make to strengthen their access control.
Modern VMSs include security cameras and a software dashboard to monitor video in real time. Video surveillance cameras can be installed near the entrance as a standalone device or part of a virtual guard system. Explore the differences between cloud-based and on-prem video surveillance, how VMSs integrate with access control, and the benefits of a virtual guard.
- Gate Openers/Controllers
Gate openers or gate remotes are used to gain access to a property. These can be used for all kinds of properties, however they are most commonly used in gated residential communities. Businesses and commercial real estate will likely find keypads and RFID readers as more secure and cost-efficient alternatives.
- Two-way Intercoms
These devices allow project managers or administrators to talk with visitors, employees, and tenants at the gate. Two-way intercoms are a vital link for communication and verification at your entry points. They come in audio-only, video-enabled, wired, wireless, or part of a larger integrated security platform.
Make sure you’ve tested both the hardware and software interface so you understand how to perform core tasks—initiating calls, responding to visitors, integrating with door release mechanisms, and adjusting audio/video quality.
Bonus Tip: When selecting security equipment ask about customer support, warranties, and feature updates. Customer service can make the installation and learning of a system much easier and quicker. It is also beneficial to ask about the frequency of feature updates, if they occur over-the-air or manually, and how much system downtime is required.
Safety and Security with Virtual Guards
Virtual guard systems use both technology and humans to manage security. Install the business security equipment you want. Then, connect it to a monitoring site, run by a third-party company. At the monitoring site, trained human guards oversee the system. If a security emergency happens, the virtual guard will alert authorities and you.
Step 5: Choosing a Gate or Access Control Manufacturer
The manufacturer you choose will have a long-term impact on performance, compatibility, and maintenance costs. Look for gate and access control companies with a proven track record of reliability and good warranty coverage.
Check that their hardware and software work with your existing or planned systems, and consider whether they use open standards or proprietary designs. Again, getting “locked in” with a proprietary vendor can make future upgrades expensive and difficult. Avoid manufacturers that lock you into proprietary hardware or stop supporting older models – when that happens, you could face costly replacements, security vulnerabilities, or extended downtime.
Below are some popular gate and access control companies.
Popular Manufacturers in Gates and Access Control
- HID Global: Leader in mobile and physical card credentials, readers, and controllers
- Brivo: Cloud-based access control with mobile credentials, remote management, and integration with video platforms. Strong for multi-site organizations that need centralized control
- LenelS2: Legacy, enterprise-grade solutions with integration capabilities. Well-versed in on-prem, but cloud is new for them
- Avigilon: Known for enterprise-grade video surveillance and Avigilon Alta – a cloud-based access control system. Offers advanced analytics, AI-powered monitoring
- Genetec: Unified platforms combining access control, video, and analytics
- LiftMaster: Known for gate operators and integrated entry systems
- DoorKing (DKS): Popular for gates, cellular entry, and access devices
- HySecurity: Heavy-duty gate operators for industrial and high-traffic sites
Gate Entry and Access Control: Customized from Parking to Office
You know your security needs better than anyone. Make sure your business or organization stays secure with the solutions you need most. With over 30 years of industry experience, SafeTouch can help you assess, purchase, and install a gate entry or access control system that’s right for you. Looking for a way to monitor your security without hiring security guards? Our trained monitoring staff will keep an eye on your property 24/7. And with a guaranteed response time of 45 seconds or less, we’ll always have your back. Give us a call at 888.895.SAFE (7233) to speak with a SafeTouch expert today!