Everything You Need to Know About Access Control and Video Surveillance Integration

With growing crime rates and an increased emphasis on security, finding the right solution for your business has become super important.

Sifting through the many available security systems is important if you own a retail store, office, or government facility. That’s because the perfect solution can help you protect both your physical assets and personnel.

Two of the most effective security measures you can take are access control and video surveillance systems. When integrating these two powerful technologies, you can enhance your overall security and ensure quick and effective incident response.

In this article, we will take a deeper dive into access control and video surveillance integration, including the benefits, essential security products, and more. But first, let’s talk about why this kind of integration is important.

The Importance of Video Surveillance and Access Control Integration

Access control systems are intended to help companies and building owners regulate who is allowed to go beyond a certain point. They rely on cleverly designed hardware and software to keep track of access events and manage unauthorized access attempts.

Video surveillance systems, on the other hand, rely on special cameras to monitor activity in real time. They can be used to keep visual records of events that occur.

While these two security solutions are fantastic on their own, when they are brought together, they can create a high-tech, integrated security system that takes things to the next level.

When you blend these two technologies, you can ensure that your security team is able to track access events and immediately view actual video footage to assess the situation more effectively.

This can not only prevent unauthorized access to a restricted area, but it can also ensure that there is more effective intrusion detection, allowing your security personnel to respond quickly to security breaches.

The Benefits of This Kind of Integration

Now that you understand why it is important, let’s talk about some of the advantages of using these two systems together.

1. Your Security System Moves to the Next Level

Integrating access control with video surveillance is designed to ensure greater security. The truth is that with an integrated system, you can not only track who enters and exits a building or restricted area but also view their activity in real time.

If there is an unauthorized access attempt, the associated video footage lets your staff respond more effectively.

2. Quicker Response Times

When you combine access control and video surveillance systems, you can ensure that you are able to respond to events as they take place. If an unauthorized access attempt is detected, the system can automatically notify your staff members and pull up the relevant camera footage in real time. This is great because it can help to lower incident response times.

3. Simpler Security Management

Moreover, when you integrate access control and video surveillance systems, you make managing the security system a lot easier.

That’s because both technologies use one management software, which allows your security teams to monitor any access attempts and video footage using one dashboard. This prevents the need to switch back and forth between different applications.

4. It Allows You to Log Events More Effectively

An integrated security system will also allow you to manage access logs and video footage more easily. Because every access event can be automatically linked to the right video surveillance footage, you can keep a clear record of who entered the building.

If you need to go back to investigate certain activities later for business security purposes, you can do so with greater ease.

5. Real-time Alerts

Another reason why many prefer to use an integrated system is that access control software and video monitoring tools are able to work together to provide real-time alerts.

For example, if someone tries to gain unauthorized access to a restricted area, the system can trigger alarms. These alarm monitoring features allow your security teams to address issues before they escalate.

Choosing the Right Integrated Security Systems

If you are hoping to find the perfect security camera installation systems in Houston, TX, and surrounding areas, then this next section is for you.

Keep in mind that when you are deciding which service provider to go with, you’ll need to take the following factors into consideration:

• A wide range of security products. You should check that the company has experience with various types of high-quality security cameras, control systems, and video management software solutions.
• Their ability to integrate these two systems. Ideally, the provider you work with must be able to ensure that there is a seamless integration between your access control and video surveillance systems.
• Remote monitoring features. It’s always great to have remote monitoring capabilities to help you keep track of things, even when you are not on-site.
• Maintenance and support. The company you choose should also offer periodic system updates and maintenance to keep your system in excellent condition.

A Few Tips for This Kind of Security System Integration 

Here are a few helpful tips on how to properly integrate these two systems:

Go for Structured Cabling

The truth is that for an integrated system to work well, you’ll need to have some good infrastructure in place. Structured cabling is really important in this kind of security system and can help to ensure that your cameras, control systems, and software work together seamlessly.

Use Alarms and Fire Systems

As we have mentioned already, intrusion detection systems can include alarms for greater security. By adding a fire alarm system to your access control and video system, you can ensure that you have a more robust security infrastructure that protects your business from many different threats.

Pay Attention to Record Storage

Managing video storage is essential and should never be overlooked. It can not only provide reliable records for your own purposes but could also safeguard you from legal implications.  Consider using cloud storage or high-capacity hardware.

Stay Updated on Technology

Keep in mind that new products, detection technologies, and best practices are constantly being developed. If you want to maintain high-tech security, you’ll need to remain up-to-date on the latest technology and security measures.

Who Can Benefit from Access Control and Video Surveillance Integration? 

There are a number of instances where this kind of technology would work best. Here are a few examples:

• Office buildings
• Businesses that have restricted areas
• Shopping centers and retail stores
• Government buildings
• Healthcare facilities
• Schools and other educational facilities
• Industrial and manufacturing plants
• Multi-family buildings
• Event venues

The Bottom Line

The truth is that many case studies have proved the effectiveness of integrating access control with video surveillance systems. You will need to work with an experienced Houston access control systems installation company to ensure that your system provides the benefits we mentioned in the previous section.

On their own, access control systems, security cameras, and video monitoring technologies are great, but when they are merged together, they create something remarkable that you can take advantage of to protect your staff, assets, and property.

Get in touch with a local provider if you require assistance with security camera installation systems in Houston, TX, and surrounding areas.