Multi-Floor Elevator Access Control Systems
Controlling access to specific floors that are served by an elevator or bank of elevators is an integral component of a multi-floor access control solution, especially in New York City.
Typical behavior of such a system restricts access to all or most floors other than the lobby by disabling the floor selection buttons inside the elevator cab. When a user presents their credential to the reader in the elevator, the buttons for the floors the user is allowed to access are enabled for a brief period.
Benefits
The benefits of integrating an access control system with building elevators can be significant when paired with good security practices and an access control system such as turnstiles in the lobby. Transient and solicitor traffic in NYC can be nearly eliminated and overall security is increased, with the only real problem left to eliminate being tailgating awareness.
Scheduling
Access to a particular floor or group of floors can be open during specified periods without the need to present a badge if this operation is so desired. This can be used when the reception area is not located in the common lobby and visitors need to see the receptionist before being granted access to another floor.
Additional Security Enhancements
In addition to card readers inside the elevator cab, several other enhancements can be made to an access control system to enhance overall security where elevators and elevator lobbies exist.
High volume optical or barrier turnstiles that require credentials to get into the main elevator lobby can eliminate unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the elevators and other secure areas.
Remaining Security Concerns and Vulnerabilities
Installing an access control or card system in the elevators of a multi-tenant or multi-use building provides added security and control over the movement of people in the building. There, however, are a few social personnel behaviors that require training to identify and curtail to maximize the benefits of such a system. These issues center on basic etiquette that most people have come to follow when on an elevator, but are contradictory to overall security.
The most common behavior that will need to be modified will be the offer to push a floor select button for another elevator passenger who is not in front of the panel themselves. Tenants of the building should be made aware that there is a possibility that they could be taken advantage of to circumvent the security in a situation like this and that any person wishing to get to a particular floor should present their badge and make their own selection.
If a turnstile system isn’t present in the lobby, there is the potential for individuals to simply step on the elevator and ride it until someone requests the floor they want to access, either from inside the cab or from another individual pushing the call button from the floor itself.
In a busy building, this could happen fairly quickly, and the behavior goes unnoticed. Mitigating this possibility can be achieved with the addition of secure lobbies on each floor, where credentials are required to gain access to any area outside of the elevator lobby. Additionally, security guards monitoring video cameras inside the cab would be able to notice a loitering individual and act appropriately.
Digital Provisions specializes in upgrading legacy EAC systems to the latest state of the art IP based systems. We are also your choice for installing new Electronic Access Control systems, all with little or no disruption to your business. Contact us for further information at 631-209-2600.