Cybersecurity is the new security frontier. As more and more of our daily business operations rely on networked technology, hacking has become a growing threat. Data theft, corruption, corporate espionage, and ransomware can all have a devastating impact on your organization. Being adequately prepared to deal with a cyber threat can make or break your business’ ability to handle attacks. Many businesses who deploy strong cyber protections are still leaving themselves vulnerable in another way—physically.

Today’s hackers are using the vulnerabilities in physical security to enable their criminal activity. After breaking into your facility, they can look for an open office or unsecured data room where they can easily plug into an IP port or steal a server or laptop in order to access your network. For this reason, key control and key security have become an essential part of any business’ plan for cybersecurity.

A key control system installed throughout your business provides a higher level of security by limiting the access to vital keys. Employees and other authorized users are granted access to their keys to secure areas within a facility, including server rooms and cages with a simple PIN, biometric scan, or ID card scan. Other keys remain secure within the key cabinet. If an attempt is made by an unauthorized person to access any key, if a key is kept out past a designated time, or if an attempt is made to breach the system physically by forcing the cabinet open or otherwise damaging the system, an alert is instantly sent to relevant security personnel.

Additionally, the key control system records who accessed what keys and when to create easily auditable reports for security personnel. Reports include not only data on key access and usage but timestamps, any notes made within the system by users or managers, any attempts to circumvent the system, and other critical data. These reports aid security and management in understanding how keys are accessed, note trends in key usage, and prove compliance with any relevant security regulations—including cybersecurity regulations. 

By regulating and managing access to keys to secure areas on the perimeter and within a facility, your business’ security teams can create an access control system that is simple to use for your employees, but difficult for hackers to circumvent. Key control can add a critical physical layer to your cybersecurity plan, helping your security team to cover the physical threats to your essential business data.