Failing to prevent unauthorised access to buildings often results in security and health compromises. When your business premises is not protected, it could lead to theft, anti-social behaviour, and accidents that may harm employees and the public. Especially, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, poorly secured and zoned areas can contribute to the spread of virus. Hence, effective security measures are essential to prevent these risks.
This article offers a comprehensive view of what is unauthorised access and why is it crucial to prevent it. We also discuss various access control methods and theories to help you take immediate action to minimise COVID-19 transmission among your employees and customers. Additionally. We provide general guidelines for implementing daily access control measures, enhancing your business’s safety and security.
What is unauthorised access and why is it important to prevent it?
Unauthorised access refers to an incident when an employee or member of the public enters restricted regions of business premises without permission, regardless of the entry method. Common ways of physical breaches include:
- Using stolen or lost keys, security passes, or fobs
- Entering through an unlocked door
- Tailgating (following an authorised person through a security door or gate)
- Hacking smart keys
- Levering or breaking down a weak door
- Convincing an authorised individual within the business to grant access
To prevent unauthorised access, companies must clearly demarcate all prohibited areas with appropriate signage, especially in zones where clients, customers, and unauthorised staffs are often available. Additionally, companies should ensure that all employees are aware of restricted zones to prevent disputes arising from unauthorised access.
Reducing the risk of spreading infections
Under usual circumstances, infections are less likely to spread through unauthorised access. However, in the current climate, the presence of unauthorised individuals in critical business areas cloud have disastrous consequences in terms of COVID-19 transmission, particularly given that this strain of coronavirus can live on solid surfaces for extended periods of time.
Reducing and preventing staff, client, or customer injuries
Avoiding unauthorised by restricting the entire of staff, client, or customers injuries are more like unconventional methods. Sometimes, individuals might inadvertently enter prohibited areas, often due to unclear onboarding processes or inadequate signage. If such individuals are injured while trespassing, the company could be held liable.
Furthermore, restricted zones typically present greater dangers then other areas of a business premise. These area may house the use of heavy machineries or pose risks of falling from heights. The lack of regular visitors in these areas exacerbates the danger as there may be no one to assist in the event of an incident. According to HSE, 581,000 workers sustained non-fatal workplace injuries in 2018/19, alongside 147 fatal incidents. Preventing unauthorised access can significantly reduce their occurrences.
Reducing and preventing theft or antisocial behaviour
To minimise the risk of theft and antisocial behaviour, multiple companies restrict access to certain areas in the business premise. Warehouse storing product inventory serve as prime example – unauthorised public entry could lead to stolen goods, and staff within these restricted zones could become targets of antisocial acts.
Reducing and preventing access to sensitive data
Security breaches pose a significant danger by exposing sensitive information, leading to disastrous consequences. Unauthorised access to commercial information or intellectual property can have severe strategic and financial repercussions for a business. Furthermore, compromised data can jeopardise a firm’s compliance with GDPR, resulting in hefty fines and other penalties.
Access control during the coronavirus outbreak
Restricting access and practicing social distancing remain our most effective tools against the coronavirus outbreak. To curb the virus’s spread, many companies have transitioned a significant portion of their workforce to remote work, fundamentally altering their operational methods.
With fewer staffs present at business premises across the UK, the risk of unauthorised individuals gaining entry to restricted areas has increased. Such breaches could expose employees to COVID-19, posing a heightened risk. Given the severe consequences of any security lapse, it is crucial for firms to implement robust access control protocols.
Here are actionable steps you and your business can take to enforce access control restrictions immediately:
Zone access
Zone access systems restrict entry to designated team members, ensuring secure areas within business premises, warehouses, or workplaces remain protected. The most effective method to implement access control is through systems that utilise swipe cards or biometric scanners to register users and manage access permissions. However, the rapid response required by the coronavirus outbreak means businesses might need immediate alternatives if these technologies are unavailable.
Infections and viruses like COVID-19 spread through sources (e.g., contaminated surfaces and human skin) and transmission vectors (e.g., coughing, sneezing). The goal is to minimise interactions by reducing the number of people crossing paths, thereby limiting potential exposure. To mitigate the risk of close contact and lower infection rates, many businesses are adopting zone access protocols.
Consider Introducing shifts
For businesses continuing to operate from their regular premises, it is crucial to limit the number of people present at any given time. Overcrowding is highly conducive to the spread of COVID-19. Implementing shifts can help manage occupancy levels and maintain social distancing. Staff should adhere to consistent shift patterns whenever possible to minimise the risk of spreading the virus across the entire workforce.
Clear prohibitive signs
If some particular areas of a business premise are off-limits to unauthorised personnel, clear and prominently positioned prohibitive signs are essential. Companies cannot expect staff to follow access restrictions they are unaware of. Ads previously noted, the lack of proper prohibitive signage can have serious repercussions, especially if someone is injured in a restricted area.
Follow government guidelines regarding social distancing
The latest government advice recommends working from home whenever possible. If remote work is not feasible, measures must be implemented to ensure employees maintain social distancing in the workplace, staying at least two meters apart at all times. Group gatherings should be avoided, which may necessitate staggered lunch and break hours. Addionally, team meeting should be conducted via video calls, and any form of physical contact should be discouraged.
Communicate effectively with your staff
Whilst these measures can help to maintain social distancing, it is crucial to also communicate effectively with staff about other prevention techniques, such as proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and workplace cleanliness. Instruct all employees to follow NHS guidelines on handwashing and provide 70% alcohol hand sanitisers. Coughs and sneezes should be caught in a tissue paper, away from others when possible (using the elbow is the next best option). Lastly, high-touch surfaces like desks and door handles should be sanitised regularly.
How to prevent customers from accessing unauthorised areas of your business
Restricting customers access to unauthorised areas is as crucial as limiting staff access. Allowing the public to prohibited zones significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission, thereby putting employees at greater danger.
Access control
To effectively prevent public access to restricted areas, implement comprehensive access control systems throughout your business. Secure staff-only areas – such as car parks, storage spaces, break areas, and data hubs – with locked doors that can be opened only with a card, fob, or keypad. If using a keypad, ensure the security code is shared exclusively with authorised personnels.
Clear prohibitive signage
Investing in visible warning signs make it more difficult for both customers and employees to overlook the dangers of entering restricted areas. Strategically place posters, signs, and color-coded cones can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
How to prevent unauthorised access to your building
With the current COVID-19 outbreak, those in non-essential sectors have transitioned to remote work wherever possible. Consequently, offices and buildings remain unoccupied in accordance with government guidelines. While we hope to never encounter such extreme circumstances again, properly security you premises can significantly reduce the risks of theft, anti-social behaviour, and even accidents or injuries. Below, we highlight some of the most effective methods of monitoring, restricting, and preventing unauthorised access to your workplace.
CCTV
CCTV serves as a powerful deterrent against potential intruders, especially when buildings are unoccupied. Additionally, if unauthorised access does occur, CCTV footage can help identify the culprits. To maximise effectiveness, camera should be strategically placed to cover critical areas like car parks and entry points. Whilst it might seem prudent to install numerous camera, their worth depends on active monitoring – deploying too many can dilute the organisation’s capacity to oversee them all effectively.
Access control
Even when business premises are largely unmanned, break-ins can be prevented though robust on-site access control measures. Businesses have several methods to restrict access to their buildings, such as keypads, password systems, manner security, or locked gates. One of the most secure access control solutions is biometric security. Biometric technology is highly difficult to deceive and facilitates easy implementation of role-based access control (RBAC) within a business, ensuing GDPR compliance.
Top tips for preventing unauthorised access
Take the time to train your staff
Multiple security breaches can be avoided by training staff to recognise risks and report suspicious behaviour. Implementing a clear policy on building access and ensuring all employees understand it is also crucial. Educating employees on security best practices not only keeps them safe but also prevents future issues. If an employee breaches the policy, it strengthens the case for any subsequent disciplinary action.
Prevention is the best medicine
Business must proactively prevent unauthorised access before it happens. Once a breach occurs, its effects cannot be undone. Therefore, it’s important to implement comprehensive measures not to avert theft, data breaches, and on-site injuries in the future.
Terms to Know
This post includes several important terms related to access control and preventive medicine. For greater clarity, we have defined some of the key terms below.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-based access control (RBAC) systems manage access by assigning permissions based on an individual’s role or position within an organisation. Specific areas within business premises can be restricted to particular teams or staff members who hold certain hierarchical positions.
Biometrics
Biometrics involves the measurement and analysis of body characteristics. In access control, a biometric system grants or denies entry based on biological identification processes like fingerprint or iris scanning. Discover more about how this technology can benefit your business by visiting our blog on biometric security.
Respiratory Etiquette
During the pandemic, the phrase, “respiratory etiquette” encompasses more than just covering mouth when you cough. To prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19, it is crucial to catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue paper whenever possible and dispose of it immediately in a bin. If a tissue paper isn’t available, coughing into your elbow is preferable than coughing into your hands, and always avoid directly your coughs towards others.
Closing thoughts
Having discussed numerous issues throughout this blog posts, here is a summary of the key points:
- Unauthorised access occurs when an individual enters a restricted area without proper permission. Common methods include stolen keys, unlocked doors, and tailgating.
- Preventing unauthorised access is crucial to avoid theft, injury, data breaches, or antisocial behaviour. Additionally, the potential transmission of COVID-19 is current and significant concern.
- Businesses must prevent unauthorised staff from accessing restricted areas and implement measures to curb the transmission of COVID-19. To achieve this, employ zone access mechanisms, establish recurring shift patterns, display clear prohibitive signage, enforce social distancing, and promote practices such as hand washing, respiratory etiquette and maintaining workplace cleanliness.
- It is imperative to prevent customers or clients from entering restricted, staff-only areas, Utilising appropriate warning signs and access control mechanisms are essential.
- With several business premises now unmanned, the security risk has increased. Strategically placed CCTV cameras and access control systems, such as biometric security can help prevent break-ins
- Staff must be thoroughly trained in all security protocols and best practices. This includes knowing which areas they are permitted to access and how to report suspicious activities.
The most crucial advice in this post is to act immediately by implementing preventive measures to safeguard your business against unauthorised access. Neglecting to do so can result in sever, irreversible consequences.
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