Most commercial and residential property owners believe that installing a dependable security gate entry system is critical to their organization's overall security. Gate control systems are critical access control systems that assist security personnel in actively defending and monitoring entry points, deterring potential criminals, and granting access to authorized individuals.
With some reports indicating that 88% of surveyed security officers have seen a significant increase in physical security threats to US properties in recent years, the decision to install, upgrade, and develop integrated outdoor gate access control systems remains critical to property crime prevention.
Choosing the best security gate system for a given property requires building owners to examine how the proposed system will integrate with current security features, as well as comprehend the specific needs of the desired access control gate installation. This complete reference to gate access control security will identify the many types of security gates for buildings, the benefits of access control gates, and the best use cases for controlled access gate systems used in comprehensive commercial and residential access control solutions.
A gate security system is a set of devices designed to control access to a specific area. It's not just the gate and lock with standing guards like a 16th century French castle. Modern day technology allows us to automate our security processes like never before, saving time, money, and ensuring even better access control than ever before. Now, systems integrate components like gate operators, locks, credentials, and readers to creating a unified system that only you (and your employees) can control. The goal is to automate access control, capture detailed data, and enable remote monitoring of each access point. Not only does a full-scale system create automating safety easier, it also provides a premium feel to a once before ordinary space.
Gate access control is the installation of a physical gate entrance system that restricts access to only authorized personnel. A gate entrance system may be used to restrict property access to both people and cars, and there are numerous designs available to fit a variety of residential and commercial purposes.
When deciding on the best form of access control gate for building security, property owners should examine how many individuals will use the system on a regular basis, how access credentials will be given, and how gate entry will be monitored. It's also crucial to consider how the gate control system might act as part of a larger security network.
Many gated communities (and properties) struggle with chaotic, jumbled systems governing resident and visitor access. Standalone products often lead to poor security, reporting, and resident/visitor experiences. The lack of integration hampers system administration and data control, resulting in suboptimal security measures.
Security gate systems function similarly to access doors, with the majority of popular designs comprising the same core components. Commercial access gate systems will need a gate entry system reader, access credentials for each user, a controller that interacts with the readers and makes all access decisions, and software that allows security teams to administer the gate access system.
When selecting a commercial gate control system, it is critical to examine how these components will be situated on the property, as well as the unique requirements of your facility. For example, gate entry keypads need users to enter a PIN number, therefore they must be conveniently accessible from within a vehicle for vehicle gate access control systems.
Key components of an integrated gate security system include:
Each of these combined into one unified system greatly improves the overall security control of a property. When professionally built and installed, they work in unison to automate processes, making your job easier. But each of those can be broken down into specific technologies.
There are many manufacturers for automated gate entry systems, but you only need to know the types of entry systems to build your knowledge base.
There are many more components, but too many to list here. To learn more about what you might need, contact us and we'll work together to solve your needs!
When in operation, a resident or employee will approach the gate access control reader and show the supplied credentials. The most often used credentials for a gated community security system include key cards, RFID fobs, PIN codes for gate keypad scanners, and mobile credentials via a smartphone app.
Credential information will subsequently be electronically transmitted to the management system and validated against an internal database. If the submitted credentials are accepted, the controller sends a signal to the electric gate entry system, which disengages the lock. Depending on the gated access control system and software, a failed unlock attempt may also generate notifications for the front gate security staff, allowing them to respond appropriately.
Numerous other security elements can be configured to react to both accepted and denied credentials, depending on how sophisticated the access control gates are. Door intercom systems, video security cameras, automated lockdown features, and on-premise auditory alerts are examples of additional access control system gate security measures.
Property owners may have previously experienced basic residential gate entry systems or simple gate access choices like single-button garage openers. Modern security gates, on the other hand, can offer a number of cutting-edge features that combine to produce a much more reliable and secure gate access control system.
To assist you in making an informed choice, below are some common designs of gate access control systems to take into account, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
One of the most popular types of outdoor gate access control is the gate entry keypad, which requires customers to enter a PIN or predefined passcode in order to access the property. These systems are often inexpensive and simple to install because of their simplicity. However, there is a chance that security lapses will occur if each tenant receives the identical entrance code.
Furthermore, monitoring building access may become challenging with a commercial keypad gate access system that just requires one entrance code. A possible fix is to give every user a different PIN. Even while this will strengthen the security of the access control gates, it will require more time to manage the system, which may not be feasible for structures like huge commercial buildings or gated communities that have hundreds of users.
Users must submit their access credentials via an electronic tag—typically embedded in a portable key card or fob—in order to access an RFID security gate system. Commercial buildings like workplaces, fitness centers, and hotels are ideal for RFID systems as the credentials they employ are typically affordable and simple to change. But be advised that when the number of users increases, the operational costs for card access gate and key fob door entry systems can quickly climb.
Take into account the configuration of relevant interior door access control devices before installing an RFID gate access control system. Tenants might need to carry many key cards in order to unlock different doors if your entrance security systems aren't compatible with one another. Alternative entry methods for residents who could have misplaced their own or for temporary guests may also need to be taken into account.
It's becoming more and more common to operate commercial gate access control systems using mobile or cellular credentials. An RFID gate access control system and mobile access control for gate entries function similarly, although security professionals can no longer issue physical credentials thanks to setups on smartphone apps. Over time, this may lead to lower entry gate system operating expenses.
How to open a gate with a phone may be a mystery to those who are unfamiliar with mobile access control for automated gate entry systems. Typically, customers download an app from the service provider and utilize the in-app controls or hold their phone up to the scanner to open the gate. In order to connect with adjacent devices, cellular gate access control readers typically employ Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, or cellular signals.
Security teams may also better manage access credentials using mobile credentials, since administrators can remotely revoke or modify rights, analyze individual usage, and send temporary credentials to visitors directly to their phones.
Apartment gate security entry management can benefit from the utilization of commercial intercom systems, which are frequently utilized for residential gate entry systems. A gate access controller linked to an intercom device is a wonderful approach to guarantee that only authorized visitors may enter the property, as giving site access using these configurations requires manual approval by a resident or security officer connected to the line.
Using the entrance security system next to the gate, visitors can request access. A relevant resident or security guard will then be contacted to verify the visitor's identity. Video intercom systems are a great option for easy and safe admission since they may be equipped with security cameras to enable visual verification and video-calling on contemporary business and residential gate access intercoms. Teams can view and unlock the gate remotely by utilizing cloud-based solutions for gate security entry control.
The purpose of commercial gate security systems with vehicle detection capabilities is to control access to private roadways, parking garages, and gated driveways. An automated gate entrance system in a homeowners association community or active parking management systems in commercial buildings can be implemented with the help of security teams by integrating this kind of parking lot entry and exit control system with extra security cameras.
Typically, vehicle gate access control systems make use of RFID proximity technology installed in permitted cars or license plate recognition (LPR) technology, which scans license characters against an internal database. When authorized users use this technology for vehicle gate access control, the controlled access gate will automatically open when they approach it. When compared to a remote-controlled gate opening system, this is far more convenient.
To give both people and cars access from a single entrance, vehicle detection systems can be added in addition to other gate entry options. These electric gate entry systems are typically found as components of security systems for gated communities, with individual locking mechanisms for each intended usage.
Every part of a wired gate access control system needs to be physically connected to the others in order for communication to occur. This necessitates finishing structural work during installation, which can be expensive and disruptive, particularly if the front gate security system is situated distant from the main property.
A wired gate entry system can operate fully within a local network, despite the fact that the initial installation can be costly. Because active credentials never leave on-site servers, this is advantageous for use cases where a secure connection is required and reduces vulnerability to external hacking risks. That being said, to make sure that the data from your home or business gate access control system doesn't end up in the wrong hands, you should add more physical security to server rooms.
By eliminating the requirement for each component to be hooked directly to the main property, choosing a wireless or remote-controlled gate opening system can help to lower the initial installation expenses. Furthermore, cloud-based operating systems and wireless gate access control systems can be combined to create remote administration platforms that can be accessed from any web-connected device.
In the event that a wireless setup is selected, property owners need to make sure the signal strength is sufficient to consistently reach an inside control hub. To guard against any hacking efforts on the gate access controller network, security professionals will also need to take additional cybersecurity precautions into account.
Property owners may fully regulate who can enter the premises at any time by implementing a comprehensive business gate access control system. This is the main advantage. In addition to requiring legitimate credentials from renters, employees, and visitors to unlock the gate, security teams may dependable monitor, modify, and regulate access rights as well as operate gate security systems to further restrict access in reaction to possible threats.
Planning automated security features related to frequently utilized community gate access system usage can also be aided by data collected from system usage on a daily basis. For instance, more verification might be needed after a specific hour or deadbolts could be set to activate after a predetermined amount of time.
When combined with other remotely monitored systems, a security gate entrance system can help offer 24-hour building security in sites where hiring on-site security personnel is not financially or practically feasible. These systems guarantee that only authorized individuals may enter the property at any given time, making them perfect for HOA gate systems and for securing a gated community entrance.
Security personnel may efficiently monitor gate access from smart devices and receive real-time notifications about attempted breaches by utilizing an RFID gate system, key card gate access, or any other comparable entry point management solution in conjunction with on-site sensors and cloud management tools.
Research has indicated that the mere existence of security gate systems has the potential to discourage many types of crimes. For instance, compared to comparable sized non-gated residential communities, gated community security systems have been proven to cut thefts by as much as 33%.
Adding gated community access control with hard-to-copy passwords can increase the effectiveness of these security measures even more. Remote-access RFID readers or mobile apps are a suitable choice, particularly if the devices are designed to notify administrators remotely about possible abuse through sensors and alarms installed on-site.
Together with long-term occupants and employees, most business and residential premises will also require access from contractors, delivery couriers, and transient guests. Thus, one of the main advantages of security gate entry systems is visitor management.
Temporary passes can be granted to guests and monitored by security personnel through the use of digitally managed commercial keypad readers, mobile credential readers, or card access gate systems. This helps guarantee that only authorized individuals are allowed to enter the property. Community gate systems that can be remotely managed are also helpful since they allow security personnel or property managers to check guests and open the gate without needing to physically be present.
As a property manager or HOA board member, the responsibility of protecting residents and properties is crucial. When selecting a security system, consider its alignment with daily activities. The focus should be on practicality, efficiency, and seamless integration.
Each application has a different solution. For example, some gated communities (like apartment complexes) could have hundreds of tenants using the same entry/exit gate. Or, you might have multiple entry/exit access points. These needs to be in sync and integrated with each other for seamless security control. The hardware needed for thousands of opens and closes per day is vastly different from a smaller multi-family housing community which might only have about 30 opens and closes per day.
For these high-demand applications, we might recommend a LiftMaster® CAPXM Multi-Tenant video entry system, a long-range card reader, a LiftMaster® CSL24UL slide gate operator, a solar unit, and a heavy duty steel slide gate from Your New Gate Company fabrications. These integrated components must be professionally installed and are part of a larger security system. These solutions are not what you would use for smaller-demand applications.
For those seeking the right solution, YNGC® offers an all-in-one access control system consultation, fabrication, and install. This ensures we can combine visitor management, access control, and more to prioritize the safety of your community or property. Let's make sure you're secured by choosing a security system that aligns with your specific needs.
Ready to make the transition? Contact us for a free quote with YNGC® to explore how our integrated solution can enhance security and streamline operations for your commercial property.
