Benefits of access control for critical infrastructure

Critical infrastructure is broadly understood as the facilities and services that are vital to the basic operations of a society. Safeguarding these lifelines of the modern world is already a crucial consideration, but one which is likely to become even more important as resources grow scarce in the coming years. Successfully limiting access to natural resources and securing information presents an array of challenges that will require the implementation of innovative solutions.

With thousands of public and private utility companies worldwide looking to keep their assets safe, SALTO has responded by providing comprehensive access control for critical infrastructure sites. From perimeter protection to smart access for both people and vehicles, we have availed a host of high-tech security management solutions specifically designed for these use cases: 

• Perimeter protection and smart access for people and vehicles 
• Flexible, cost-effective security management by a remote operator
• Audit trail to monitor people entering and leaving potentially hazardous or high-risk areas 24/7 
• Automated entry for pre-approved users 
• Managed access for both visitors and staff without the need for physical keys
• Keyless smart access, allowing operators to grant or revoke access credentials instantly
• Tailored security levels for sites, buildings, rooms, or even server room cabinets, ensuring you always have the right level of protection

Types of physical security solutions for critical infrastructure

Securing physical utility infrastructure guarantees the continuous operation of critical services, protecting them from becoming potential targets for attacks or other criminal activity.

Access control systems: Locks, key cards, biometric scanners, and other mechanisms to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter certain areas.

SALTO’s smart access solutions help keep entire sites secure. Starting with perimeter control, our systems’ capabilities extend to specific high-value areas or assets – wherever they are located. Our cutting-edge technologies safeguard all access points using keyless solutions that allow individuals to lock or unlock doors via a smart key or mobile device. Coupled with a sophisticated capacity for analytics and tracking, the result is a complete, cost-effective, and efficient security system that permits remote monitoring of multiple sites from a single control room.
 
Access control is the most vital of all physical security measures. That said, there are several other types of physical access control solutions that public and private utility infrastructure operators can consider:

• Physical barriers: Walls, bollards, or other structures designed to prevent unauthorized access or mitigate the impact of a physical attack.
• Security personnel: Guards, security officers, or police can patrol infrastructure sites, respond to incidents, and act as a deterrent.
• Surveillance systems: Cameras, drones, and other surveillance technologies are able to monitor infrastructure sites in order to detect unusual activity or threats.
• Intrusion detection systems: These systems can detect when someone tries to breach a physical barrier or gain access to a restricted area.

Industry applications

Physical security solutions for utilities and critical infrastructure are suitable for various real-world applications. At SALTO, we have tailored our access control solutions to meet the needs of specific industries and sectors, including: 

• Power and Energy: Boost situational awareness and quickly address incidents in upstream, midstream, and downstream activities. Ensure a stable and reliable flow of power at all times, from power generation to distribution.
• Gas and Water Treatment: Protect, maintain, and operate all functions of gas and water treatment plants, including water production, sewage, and wastewater.
• Telecommunications: Keep communication towers safe and secure with advanced surveillance solutions that ensure consistent and reliable transmission at all times.

 

The top 4 benefits of access control for critical infrastructure 

Millions of locking systems are used by utility companies all around the world every day. However, it is both time-consuming and expensive to constantly monitor these locks, ensure compliance with safety and security regulations, and keep high-value assets secure. SALTO is transforming access control for critical infrastructure by providing streamlined solutions for every access point on site – from gates, entryways, and control rooms, to valves, lockers, cabinets, and more.

Securing utilities presents several unique challenges. Facilities are often located in remote areas, with numerous entry points spread over significant distances and limited management staff. As a result, they often require restricted access to high-risk and hazardous areas, such as underground sites, explosives store rooms, or machinery operating rooms. 
 
Consequently, investing in physical infrastructure security comes with 3 notable benefits for utilities and critical infrastructure installations:

1. Intrusion protection: Detect, identify, and track intruders in real-time. Integrate access control and smart audit analytics into existing security systems.
2. Operational efficiency: Optimise production and maintenance services and avoid downtimes. Support process monitoring and predictive maintenance to boost productivity and efficiency.
3. Compliance, safety, and security: Keep your workforce safe with cost-effective ways to monitor policy adherence, evaluate risks, and offer rapid support during emergencies.
4. Operations and maintenance: Eliminate mechanical keys and complicated system configurations. Improve maintenance planning and reduce on-site staff requirements. Perform remote installation diagnostics, run reports, check battery status, and many other actions.

SALTO’s smart access solutions reduce the need for physical patrols by offering the functionality to remotely monitor an entire site – or several sites – with minimal false alarms. This, in turn, helps utilities and critical infrastructure operators to:

• Reduce risk
• Prevent unauthorised access
• Provide operational continuity
• Safeguard insurance and reduce liability
• Ensure flexibility and visibility
• Build confidence among various stakeholders
• Ensure regulatory compliance

How SALTO Systems can help 

SALTO offers a centralised, web-based access control solution for high-security, real-time monitoring, and remote area control. Our intelligent access control systems enable access-level settings at critical entry zones such as main production plants, engine rooms, water storage, and chemical waste areas. Entry to specific areas can be restricted at specific times, access to critical zones can be granted to authorised personnel only, and staff access levels or entry times can be established based on different roles.
 
Our state-of-the-art technology also helps address the challenges posed by securing utilities and critical infrastructure. The goal is to strike the right balance between implementing sufficient levels of security, without sacrificing the convenience required for day-to-day operations.

• Replace mechanical keys: Wireless, smart data-on-card technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional keys.
• Mobile access and smart credentials for staff and service providers: Our secure mobile-compatible electronic locking platform makes it safe and easy to incorporate smartphones as part of a facility’s access control solution.
• Real-time access management: Manage access throughout your facilities with our easy-to-use software, bringing a new level of flexibility to access control.
• Stress-free compatibility: Our fully wireless technology means our solution is compatible with almost any existing mortise lock or door, including server racks and perimeter barriers using our electronic padlock range.
• Streamline and improve operations and service provider sign-in: With access to a well-organised data bank, real-time monitoring means operators can now spend less time worrying about workflows and service provider logistics, and more time on operations.
• Simple, smart, and wireless: Designed for installation on doors with existing locks, with no need for additional modifications or wiring.
• Integration: Manage video, access control, intrusion detection, building management and more all from a single interface - seamlessly extend video management systems to include access control
• Support whenever, wherever needed. Our worldwide network of trained and certified installers means you will always have whatever support you need for retail lock and door lock solutions.

SALTO offers multi-credential-compatible electronic locking devices. This means the same hardware is equipped to support varied user identification – regardless of the usage required at any given moment. With secure RFID credentials, PIN code access, or  NFC-based technology, the need for on-site key storage boxes, mechanical locking systems, and other technical facilities typically located in these remote sites will be a thing of the past. 

Electronic padlock and wire-free locks solution: a complete access control solution

SALTO’s electronic padlock range offers a unique solution ideal for securing utilities and critical infrastructure – including electric power stations, telecommunication and network services, industry applications, and more – as well as property services that need an additional level of security to control specific doors, gates, or storage areas, without losing convenience, control, or peace of mind. 
 

A new day for smart access control

The flexibility and operational reliability offered by SALTO’s access control solutions make them the perfect option for securing key utilities and critical infrastructure sites. Our best-in-class systems can be tailored to the needs of a host of different industries at a time when modernising security in this area is more important than ever.

For more information about SALTO Systems’ wide range of solutions for all types of physical infrastructure access control requirements, click here.