For businesses with potentially game-changing technologies and patents, cyber security should be a top priority. However, in our natural inclination to search for additional unknown threats, we often look past what’s right there in front of us. This lapse in judgment happens all the time. For example, one of the obvious first lines of defense in the protection of your intellectual property from internal misconduct is controlling who enters and exits your facility. This is common sense but many business owners and facility executives neglect their building’s access control system. Such negligence can expose them to corporate and industrial espionage committed by both active and former employees. This is why it is important to strongly consider an access control system that is intuitive and user-friendly for your staff and visitors, but more importantly, tracks who is going in and out.

By the numbers

From 2011 to 2018, the Department of Justice submitted a report to the Senate Intelligence Committee that China has been involved in more than 90 percent of all corporate espionage matters. China’s ambiguous intellectual property laws, its active role in state-owned enterprises, and reluctance to assist in investigations has contributed to its government’s complicity in these crimes. General Keith Alexander— the former head of the National Security Agency—stated that industrial espionage posed the “greatest transfer of wealth in history.” In a separate 2018 report, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies determined that Chinese corporate and industrial espionage costs U.S. companies an estimated $300 billion annually and should be considered the “single greatest threat to U.S. technology.” But China isn’t alone. Russia, Iran and even some U.S. allies systematically engage in government backed corporate and industrial espionage (trade secrets, intellectual property theft). More alarming is that the majority of these matters are often facilitated internally by active or former employees whose employers lack solid frontline network and physical access security measures.

Frontline defense through Access Control

Picture an employee who has been given a notice of termination. Employee termination should trigger immediate revocation of network and physical access to protect the company’s assets. A strong frontline defense and efficient database management through access control systems is critical. An access card will allow or deny a terminated employee from entering the premises to access computers and other resources connected to a company’s network.

Access control system components:

• Key fob/access card: A secure encrypted physical card that is scanned for entry.
• Biometrics: Facial recognition or fingerprint data that identify the person seeking access.
• Password or pin code
• Video surveillance systems
• Alarms

Establishing Tiered Access

According to law enforcement agencies, there are a myriad ways mobile phones can be unreliable. Here are some of the An electronic access control system can enable companies to properly compartmentalize and tier clearance levels based on employee roles. Narrowing the access pool to critical zones yields enhanced monitoring and control. Such security access systems can help you keep both internal and external intruders from gaining access to valuable assets and confidential information.

Tracking and Monitoring

Access control systems are an effective means for tracking employee activity and provides management with an important audit trail for visitors and employees who enter and exit the premises. This data helps key decision makers in the case of employee disputes or data breaches. In the event of an emergency condition, access control systems can also facilitate prompt “lock-down” conditions that restrict movement throughout the building and funnel employees to designated safety areas.

Control in the cloud anytime, anywhere

Cloud-based Access control systems save time, energy, and human resources by offering total control through “always on” and secure integration options. These systems provide easy-to-use, economical access control—without sacrificing quality or scale. Powerful administrative features are available through a web-based interface on both desktop and mobile devices, substantially reducing or even eliminating ongoing IT costs.

How we can help

As threats continue to evolve, it’s important to implement a security system that is flexible and scalable; a single, holistic ecosystem that will grow with your business. If you are looking for a security integration and management company or your current system is not meeting your standards, Sierra Group offers the latest innovations in electronic security from Video Surveillance, Access Control, Alarm Systems, and Intercom. 

Reach out to us and learn more about the Sierra Group difference, here.

Email: service@callsierra.com
Phone: 1-(888)-880-4949
Fax: 818-474-7795