An enterprise may be open to the public, but that doesn’t mean every single room of the building will be available to them. For example, take a museum. They live or die based on the foot traffic they receive, and the subsidies or investments given to them by the government will often determine how long they’re considered a vital cultural enterprise. But by the same token, they also have areas of conservation and preservation where they may be dealing with exhibits worth millions. This can pose a problem for security.
As such, learning to gate access correctly, in and out of your business, is a necessary consideration to keep as you seek to promote your business and welcome more visitors each and every year.
In this post, we intend to provide a full guide to correctly managing your security and commercial goals, so neither conflicts with the other. Consider the following:
Gating Access With Keycards
Sometimes you have to automate access, and one of the easiest ways to control who can go where is by implementing a keycard system. This also means you won’t require someone to stand guard at every restricted door. With keycards that can easily be implemented as part of your custom id badges, you can assign access levels based on roles or even at-will, making it easy to let employees, contractors, or authorized guests get where they need to be without issue, and without having to vet everyone before they request access to a door.
If a card gets lost or stolen, you can deactivate it remotely too, which is much easier than dealing with physical keys. On top of that, these systems often log activity, so you’ll have a record of who accessed certain areas and when which can help with security and accountability, such as if a string of thefts happens. After all, it’s not always solely the public you have to restrict access to.
CCTV & Reporting Tools
Cameras aren’t just for catching something after it’s already happened, they can also be a good deterrent against anyone who may have the idea to access a restricted space. Most people (who are rational at the very least) are less likely to try their luck if they know they’re being watched.
Good CCTV coverage can also give you a clear picture of how your space is being used in general, be that managing foot traffic or peak times. Another example can include visitors frequently wandering into areas they’re not supposed to, if there’s a constant innocent mistake in one area of the building, perhaps a new sgn is needed. Pairing CCTV with reporting tools, like automated alerts for after-hours activity if your security team begins closer monitoring, can give you an added layer of awareness, especially in areas where your valuables are.
A Mainline Desk
A good receptionist or security team can keep an eye on who’s coming and going from a front desk, but it mostly serves as a nice place to welcome guests and process their check-ins where appropriate. After all, gating access doesn’t mean you have to be harsh or suspicious towards everyone who walks in.
It’s also a subtle way to keep things professional and ensure that people don’t wander aimlessly. For instance, if someone comes for a job interview, they can check in with you instead of trying to find their way themselves. A well-trained team at the desk can politely redirect someone who might be straying toward restricted areas too, all while making them feel welcomed and not silly for walking down the wrong corridor.
Careful Signposting
Again with that friendly attitude, not everyone is trying to sneak into places they shouldn’t, they just might not know where they’re allowed to go. That’s where clear signage comes in, and try to keep this as obvious, well-lit and readable as possible.
Use polite but firm language like “Authorized Personnel Only” or “Staff Access Beyond This Point” with a simple image of a hand or a no-entry symbol they might recognize from the highway code. You can also set up the “you are here” signs with small layouts and maps to show where an individual is at any time. This way, they can easily spot where they need to go to find the toilets, instead of feeling completely blindsided by your directions.
Lighting To Imply Restrictions
Good interior design is often predicated on good lighting, and you can actually use this to define where and where not to go. Brightly lit areas naturally feel more open and accessible, while dimmer lighting can subtly signal that space is off-limits, perhaps down a corridor with some doors that lead to staff areas.
For example, illuminating pathways and open areas while keeping restricted zones a bit darker can help guide people without needing a dozen signs, and make the path forward a little more obvious. It’s a small tweak that can make your space feel intuitive to navigate, and in line with a few worthwhile signs or arrows, you can help prevent someone from wandering the opposite way.
Foot Traffic Capacities
It’s fair to say that too many people in one area can lead to confusion, overwhelm your staff, or even create a security risk if you’re not carefu. That’s why setting clear capacity limits, especially in high-traffic zones, can help manage this. That might mean tracking how many people check into your gym at once (only a certain number can use the equipment at one time anyway), or even having check-in increments for people arriving at any one time.
For instance, if you run an event or a popular exhibit, staggering entry times to avoid overcrowding can be important. This isn’t unusual, restaurants do this all the time to avoid over-burdernin the kitchen space. You can also use ticketing systems or timed slots to spread out foot traffic throughout the day. It’s better for security, and it also makes for a more pleasant experience for your visitors. For example, if there’s a fire drill, the evacuation won’t put people in danger. That in itself is a form of security.
With this advice, we hope you can continue operating with the general public but still retain safety as part of your commercial planning.
