Security
Out with the ‘old’, in with the ‘digital’ Traditional locking systems – a physical set of metal keys and door locks – are the thorn in the side of care home facilities that are looking to maintain or improve their physical security measures. They simply do not offer the flexibility, visibility, cost efficiency, productivity, and peace of mind that newer digital systems provide.
Digital locks – usually powered by batteries, these employ various authentication methods such as PIN codes, keycards, or smartphone apps to grant or deny entry. They eliminate the need for traditional locks and keys, and security risks associated with them being misplaced or stolen. Digital locks utilise cutting-edge encryption technology ensuring robust protection against unauthorised access to provide occupants and administrators with convenient access solutions tailored to individual preferences. These systems enhance security and safety by allowing access rights to be modified, restricted, or revoked in real time. They also offer detailed visibility through the data they collect, providing comprehensive audit trails. In a survey carried out by SimonsVoss Germany, owners and facilities and operations managers working in the care sector stated that the top three most important advantages of electronic locking systems were: 1. No more problems if keys are lost. 2. Unauthorised copying of keys no longer possible.
3. Simple, quick management of access authorisations.
(Source: KSM Marktforschung)
Costs should never be cut when it comes to securing a care home facility, but battery-
An evolving technology Digital access control is evolving all the time, and the global demand for mobile credentials is experiencing substantial growth. Where traditional keys were being replaced by transponders and key cards, mobile credential-based access control is now a top choice for many building managers, according to the Omdia report, Physical Security and Critical Communications Trends 2024.1 Mobile credentials advance electronic
key management systems by offering building occupants greater access flexibility through their smartphones – something most of us have on our person at all times – further reducing management costs and providing enhanced access to real-time data from entrants’ devices.
October 2024
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
powered digital locks use less electricity, reducing utility costs. By helping lower the carbon footprint of a building’s operations, they can also meet increasing ESG demands. Let us not forget, too, that the annual bill
for the provision of replacement traditional keys when they are lost or misplaced can run into thousands of pounds. With digital locks that can easily be reprogrammed in a few seconds, this traditional key-cutting and replacement budget can be spent in much more productive and meaningful ways.
Securing our care homes As the care home sector increasingly adopts technological advancements to improve patient care and operational efficiency, digital electronic key management systems are becoming an increasingly popular solution to bolster safety and security for patients, equipment, and facilities. In the survey carried out by SimonsVoss Germany, owners, facilities and operations managers working in the care sector were also asked what their reasons were for investing in an electronic locking system. Their response, in order of priority, was:
n Security, traceability, transparency – 34 per cent.
n Eliminating key loss – 24 per cent. n Greater flexibility – 22 per cent. n Easy to manage locking authorisations – 20 per cent.
(Source: KSM Marktforschung)
Medical and care facilities tend to switch from traditional lock and key mechanisms to ‘punch number’ code locks in an effort to enhance security.
While code locks remove the need for physical keys and key management, they can actually become less secure than keys. There is no stopping people passing on the lock code or writing it down somewhere obvious for the world to see, in case they forget it. This is the opposite of secure! A more secure solution would be a digital
version of the code lock – the electronic keypad lock, where PINs can be configured, time restricted, and changed at any time in a few clicks.
The role of digital locks in care home facilities Resident safety
Residents in care homes are often vulnerable, requiring special attention to
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