When you think about office security, locks, cameras, and alarms probably come to mind first. However, knowing who entered your building and when can be just as important. That is where an access control audit trail becomes valuable.
Modern access control systems do more than unlock doors. Depending on the system, they can also create a record each time an employee or authorized user accesses a secured entrance. For North Georgia businesses, these access logs can provide useful information about building activity while giving owners and managers greater control over workplace security.
What Is an Access Control Audit Trail?
An access control audit trail is a digital record of activity within an electronic access control system. When someone uses an assigned credential, such as a key fob, access card, PIN, or mobile credential, the system may record information about that event.
Depending on the access control system, the log may show the credential used, the door accessed, the date, the time, and whether access was granted or denied.
Instead of simply knowing that a door was unlocked, you have a record of the activity associated with that entrance.
1. Know Who Is Entering Your Office
Traditional keys can secure a door, but they cannot tell you who used them.
An access control audit trail can provide greater visibility. If employees have individual credentials, business owners or authorized managers may be able to review who accessed a particular door and when.
This information can be especially helpful for offices with several employees, multiple entrances, restricted rooms, or staff members who work outside normal business hours.
2. Investigate Unusual Activity More Easily
Suppose equipment is missing Monday morning, or someone notices that a restricted office was accessed over the weekend. With traditional locks, it can be difficult to determine who entered the area.
Access logs may provide a starting point.
An authorized manager can review the available records to determine which credentials were used around the time of the incident. While an access log cannot explain everything that happened inside a building, it can provide useful information when investigating unusual activity.
3. Monitor Failed Access Attempts
Successful entries are not the only information that may matter.
Depending on the system, an access control audit trail may also record unsuccessful attempts to open a secured door. For example, a credential may have been deactivated, used outside its permitted schedule, or presented at a door the employee is not authorized to enter.
One failed attempt may be an innocent mistake. Repeated attempts, however, could indicate a problem worth investigating.
4. Manage Employee Access More Effectively
Employees often need different levels of access.
A receptionist may need access to the main entrance but not an inventory area. A manager might need access to the entire building. Cleaning crews or contractors may only need access during certain hours.
Electronic access control allows businesses to create permissions based on their needs. The audit trail can then provide a record of how those credentials are being used.
This combination of controlled permissions and access records gives business owners more information than a traditional key system can provide.
5. Improve Security Across Multiple Locations
Access logs become even more useful when a business operates more than one location.
If your company has offices or facilities in several North Georgia communities, keeping track of physical keys can quickly become complicated. Depending on the access control system, authorized administrators may be able to manage credentials and review activity across multiple locations.
That makes it easier to maintain consistent access procedures as your company grows.
Are Access Logs the Same as Security Cameras?
No. Access logs and security cameras provide different types of information.
A camera can provide visual information about what happened near an entrance. An access control audit trail records activity associated with credentials and secured doors. When businesses use multiple security measures together, they can gain a more complete picture of activity around their property.
The right combination depends on your building, operations, employees, and security concerns.
What Should You Look for in an Access Control System?
Before selecting a system, think about more than how employees will unlock the door. Ask what information the system records, how long logs are retained, who can review them, and how easily access permissions can be changed.
You should also consider the number of doors you need to secure, the number of employees who need credentials, and whether your business may add locations in the future.
Georgia Lock and Door offers commercial controlled access systems tailored to a business’s property and budget. Choosing the right system can help you manage everyday entry while giving you greater insight into activity at your doors.
Get More Control Over Who Enters Your Business
Locks are essential, but today’s businesses can benefit from knowing more than whether a door is locked or unlocked. An access control audit trail can give you valuable information about who is entering your property and when. If you want to explore controlled access options for your North Georgia office, call Georgia Lock and Door at (678) 620-6432 to discuss a security solution that fits your business.