The future of security and access control for office spaces

Effective physical security is essential to any brick-and-mortar establishment, but it is even more crucial in the commercial real estate industry. Securing a workplace involves more than simply monitoring the entryway to the building — so how can security leaders ensure they are being proactive about defending their offices? 

Here, we talk with Security talks with Andrew Campagnola about emerging threats in office building security and how security leaders can address these concerns. 

Security magazine: Tell us about your title and background.

I am Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at VTS, the commercial real estate industry’s leading technology platform. Throughout my career, I have worked in many sectors of the industry, from integration to engineering, sales, business development and beyond. Prior to VTS, I held roles at leading access control and security companies including Chamberlain Group, Johnson Controls and LenelS2, which allowed me to gain experience in effectively guiding organizations to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of security technology. In my current role, I leverage my background in physical security and business development to help ensure that VTS’ property technology (PropTech) solutions are designed with cutting-edge access control use cases that creates seamless and secure office experiences for VTS’ customers.

Security magazine: What are some emerging threats in office building security, and what proactive measures can be taken to mitigate risks?

There are many threats to workplace security today, including acts of violence or aggression, natural disasters, cyberattacks and so on. However, when listening to feedback from both leaders of commercial real estate companies and their tenants, it became clear that their priority is ensuring that employees are not only physically safe in an office building, but more so feel as though they are coming to a safe environment. Creating a feeling of safety and security throughout a facility is just as important as implementing security itself.

Part of the answer here includes ensuring security not only within individual office buildings but also in the transitional spaces between them, such as parking garages or common areas such as lounges, conference rooms or kitchens. Organizations can do this effectively by integrating various systems like access control, Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) solutions, and tenant management software. Tightly coupled solutions create a true ‘street-to-suite’ experience that allows employees to move seamlessly between different areas of the office complex while maintaining a consistent level of security. This approach not only enhances physical safety but also contributes to a sense of well-being and confidence among employees when navigating spaces throughout their office building. 

Security magazine: How can access control systems play a role in modern security strategies for today’s office buildings?

Think of access control as the foundational element that enables various other security strategies to work more effectively. Not only do they simply control access, but they simultaneously provide valuable data related to occupancy and the building itself — including access frequency and more. From there, these insights can be used to inform decisions on investing in additional security measures, such as increased lighting in parking lots at night or deploying extra security personnel during peak times, as well as identifying and securing areas of vulnerability.

Furthermore, the integration of mobile access reduces reliance on traditional access methods like keycards, which are susceptible to being lost, stolen or copied. While mobile access has been around for about 10 years, we as an industry are finally starting to see mainstream adoption because large consumer companies are starting to take notice of its benefits. By tying an individual’s identity directly to their mobile device, access control systems enhance security while also streamlining the authentication process for users.

Security magazine: Are there compliance considerations and industry standards for access control technologies that security leaders should be aware of?

The first thing that comes to mind is the use of biometrics in access control. When using biometrics, deploying organizations need to be aware of things like bias, training models, etc. However, it’s important to note that the landscape of standards in the security industry is still evolving. While there are no universally recognized standards, there are certain industry best practices and guidelines that companies may adhere to.

When it comes to standards, some large companies have proprietary technologies that have achieved widespread adoption, acting as a de facto standard within the industry. While this ultimately hampers system compatibility, the good news is there are software solutions available that sit on top of multiple access systems to enable interoperability. This offers a temporary workaround that not only enhances the end user experience but provides a viable solution until an industry-wide standard emerges.

Security magazine: What are the best practices for implementing access control technology?

Start by considering the long-term implications of the system or solution you are selecting. With hundreds of available systems and technologies, it’s tempting to opt for a niche solution to solve an immediate operational problem. However, this approach can potentially lock you into a technology that is difficult to update or integrate with other systems in the future. Evaluate systems based on factors such as data ownership, licensing terms and hardware compatibility to ensure your system isn’t just built for the ‘right now’ but for the future. If you’re not sure where to start, either partner with a technology leader who provides consultative services or consult with a subject matter expert who will provide unbiased guidance.

While there are a handful of companies and organizations working to create standards initiatives, there is no clear winner yet. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date with such initiatives and each manufacturers’ preferred format. By aligning your access control implementation with emerging standards and best practices, you can ensure greater interoperability, flexibility and scalability for your system over time.