New security threats are evolving every day—and what that means is that modern businesses cannot risk relying on outdated security measures to protect their assets, employees, and operations. A weak point as minuscule as a stolen keycard or undetected breach can lead to damages like theft, liability, and disruption to operations. That’s why the safest businesses employ a two-point prevention strategy: integrated surveillance and access control technology.
By combining video surveillance with access control, your business can establish the necessary visibility to verify access events in real time and investigate suspicious activity before damage can be done. That means reduced risks, streamlined security management, and swift emergency response empowered by a proactive strategy.
The Problem: Gaps in Traditional Security Measures
Most businesses have some level of security measures, even if it’s only as simple as locked doors and window contacts. The challenge is the separation of components. Measures like standalone cameras and manual access logs fail to live up to their potential. Used independently, even top-shelf security devices leave critical gaps in security, such as:
- No real-time verification — If an unauthorized person uses a stolen or borrowed keycard, there’s no immediate way to confirm their identity. This can be easily rectified with integrated surveillance devices.
- Delayed response times — When security teams need to manually check access logs and footage, it slows down the investigation process. Your business should be able to react quickly and decisively to a security breach.
- Manual threat detection — Dangerous behaviors like tailgating and forced entry may go unnoticed until after an incident has already occurred. Modern surveillance devices can mitigate this with advanced real-time analytics.
The Solution: Integrated Surveillance and Access Control
Integrated surveillance and access control eliminate common security gaps by linking entry logs with live video footage and automated alerts. Instead of relying on separate systems, businesses can see exactly who is entering their facility, in real time, with instant notifications for investigation-worthy activity.
At PEAK Alarm, we specialize in engineering custom integrated security solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries. After more than 50 years of experience, here’s what we can tell you about combining your access control with surveillance:
How Integration Strengthens Commercial Security
1. Video Verification for Entry Events
Traditional access control systems track when and where keycards, fobs, or PIN codes are used—a welcome improvement over lock-and-key security. Still, they can’t confirm who is actually entering with said credentials, leaving you vulnerable to shared PINs and stolen cards.
With video verification, security teams can immediately match entry logs to surveillance footage to verify any access attempt is legitimate. If an unauthorized person tries to use stolen credentials, the event can be flagged for review, allowing you to catch unauthorized entry before trespassers can cause damage.
2. Automated Security Alerts
With modern AI technology, video surveillance systems can actively detect threats instead of simply recording footage. When an anomaly occurs, the system can automatically alert security teams to the issue for investigation. Common triggers include:
- Tailgating detection, when someone follows an authorized employee through a door without credentials
- Forced entry detection, when doors are propped open, broken into, or forced shut
- Off-hours access violations, when someone enters outside of approved timeframes
Automated alerts to these threats allow businesses to act before security threats escalate, reducing the risk of burglary, theft, sabotage, or vandalism inside the facilities.
3. Improved Situational Awareness
With integrated surveillance and access control, businesses gain a full, real-time picture of access points and movement throughout their facilities. That kind of visibility eliminates blind spots and keeps you in control of your own security. Empower your team to:
- Monitor access events in real time via centralized dashboards.
- Review linked video footage to quickly investigate security concerns.
- Maintain compliance with accurate records of all recent access events.
Stronger Security, Smarter Operations
Beyond the improvements in security, integrating surveillance and access control can also simplify security management protocols. With a more efficient, cost-effective security strategy, your business can benefit from:
- Streamlined credential management — Easily grant, adjust, or revoke access permissions for employees, vendors, and visitors.
- Remote security monitoring — Manage security across multiple locations from your own smartphone and other authorized devices.
- Reduced manual workload — Reliable automation minimizes the need for constant oversight—and reduces the risk of false alarms.
Upgrade to Integrated Security With PEAK Alarm
When you go to check your cameras and lock your doors, remember: a comprehensive security strategy requires a strategic, integrated approach—and the best place to start is with your access control. PEAK Alarm delivers state-of-the-art security solutions to protect businesses all across the Mountain West. To discover what interconnected security could do for you, get in touch for a free consultation.
Protect what matters most to you. Contact PEAK Alarm today.