Key card access as opposed to keys.

Started by BonnieG1 • 5 replies • 1769 views

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BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Our PM is getting bids for key card access for our entry doors and also for the locked door in the tunnel that connects to the Care Center.

Some of our Board members don't believe the key card access will provide any better safety benefits that key access.
Could any of you help be with the pros and cons of key card access.

I know one pro is that the key card can be de-activated. I can't think of any cons.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Honestly, the biggest difference is cost savings and quicker security when lost.

If a key is lost, locks need to be changed and new keys issued to everyone (matter of days)
If a card is lost, one card needs to be deactivated and new one created (matter of minutes)

Other than that, depending on perspective, every other pro can be a con:

Members Can't make copies
Con to member who could have simply made a key at the hardware store
Pro to the Association who is trying to track the number of keys.

Tracks who accessed door (goes to sense of privacy as well)
Con to member who may be concerned of being blamed for something they may not have done
Pro to Association to help figure out what happened

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

Other potential benefits:

1. Ability to track who is using doors and when (might be especially beneficial for children, adults with some form of dementia.)
2. Can change access codes with ease - can change magnetic strips and don't have to reissue keys/change locks.
3. Know how many keys/cards are actually out there - Never really know with keys (which can always be duplicated and given to a friend, relative, etc.)

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 10/27/2014 2:05 PM
Our PM is getting bids for key card access for our entry doors and also for the locked door in the tunnel that connects to the Care Center.

Some of our Board members don't believe the key card access will provide any better safety benefits that key access.
Could any of you help be with the pros and cons of key card access.

I know one pro is that the key card can be de-activated. I can't think of any cons.

Safety-wise, the keycard works just the same as a physical key. You're not necessarily "safer." It keeps a gate locked.

From an access management perspective, key cards will blow the doors of using physical keys. No doubt about it. You have complete control and copying a keycard would be prohibitively difficult.

Plus, key cards are about as affordable as regular keys and a priced under the copy-proof keys you get from locksmiths.

Some of your board members may have a misunderstanding of the technology.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Another advantage is that if someone loses his key card you can remove that one from the system without effecting any other cards. With physical keys, one lost key compromises everyone's security and your only recourse is to re-key and issue new keys to all bona fide users.

BTW, I used to work in some secure environments. The best system I ever saw was one that required swiping a card then entering a code on the keypad. The card by itself would not allow entry nor would the code by itself; you had to have both and they had to match. That, however, may be a little over-the-top for residential use.

JamesO6 (Florida)
Posts: 170

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NpS on 10/27/2014 2:25 PM
Other potential benefits:

1. Ability to track who is using doors and when (might be especially beneficial for children, adults with some form of dementia.)
2. Can change access codes with ease - can change magnetic strips and don't have to reissue keys/change locks.
3. Know how many keys/cards are actually out there - Never really know with keys (which can always be duplicated and given to a friend, relative, etc.)

We installed door alarms to any door that could leave the house when we took care of our parents with dementia, someone opened it alarm went off and everyone checked to see who it was. great for small kids too.

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