The new iPad has been attracting a lot of attention lately. Everything from its size and functionality to the long queues of people waiting to buy one, have been grist for the media mill. This “must have” widget is also reportedly a hot ticket item for thieves, with even an incident reported recently where the thief also took part of the victim’s finger in his attempt to steal the item.

A systems approach to physical security offers many benefits to the user, including solutions that offer greater functionality, improved cost effectiveness and added modularity. For example, the integration of video surveillance with access control systems is fast becoming an industry norm and this kind of collaboration has helped to establish a de facto standard for integration implementations. Vendors, system integrators and end users have learned that by opening protocols to a wide range of integration partners, it is possible to implement connectivity across systems on any level.

Selecting a key control system, like many other physical security system purchase decisions, starts with determining what problems need to be solved and how a particular solution can meet your needs. By going through this exercise, you can custom-design a key control system with the exact features to address any challenges and/or resolve any issues.

It’s never too late – or too early – to implement a key control and management strategy as part of an organization’s overall physical security operation. A good key control and management system is organized and formal and addresses both access to and control of the facilities’ keys.

Where security is concerned, there are no absolute safeguards. However, there are proven crime prevention techniques that can help improve the physical security and safeguarding of a facility or other valuable assets. The most common of these techniques is the implementation of a mechanical lock and key system, supported by a key control management system.