4 tips to manage access rights in a hybrid work environment

Now that employees have more options as to where they can work from, and many industries are maintaining a flexible structure, organizations are having to adapt how they manage access. By downsizing office space and shifting to hybrid work models, employees can be in office only a few days a week. And to better manage space, some might introduce floating desks and allow employees to cycle in as space permits.

No matter where you are on the return-to-office scale, one thing is clear: managing access rights and ensuring safety is changing. Let's get into how employee and contractor identities are linked to their accessibility, and a more efficient way to manage cardholders.

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Take control of your access management and building security

Maintain in-office traffic flow

Securing an establishment while a portion of employees remain off-site poses unique challenges to physical security. In cases where your organization has limited office space, you need to track and control the number of individuals in a building at any given time.

The ability to quickly and easily adjust access management settings for in-office flow is essential. By allowing and restricting access, you can remind employees which areas they’re meant to pass through while keeping track of general patterns. This helps to maintain safety and optimize movement for everyone within your property.

INDUSTRY-TAILORED SECURITY

 

Adjust access control settings remotely

The absence of on-site personnel also affects your organizational security. When employees work from the office two to three days a week, off-site control of your access management system is key. Using the right system, you can manage your employee and contractor access remotely. This allows for enhanced control of your organization’s access rights, no matter your location.

 

 

Manage visitors and employee access

Since many employees now follow a hybrid approach when it comes to working in the office, it becomes more difficult for your organization to track who is where and when. That’s why establishing an efficient and secure way to manage building security is crucial. It’s important to have an adaptable and easy-to-use access management system to help manage the flow of employees, contractors, and visitors.

And a role-based access control system can simplify assigning permissions to individuals. Depending on specific attributes such as job roles, departments, and sites—organizations can make high-level changes and enforce security best practices with ease.

For many organizations, it will be essential to be able to remotely manage employee access to property areas while limiting different parts of the office. Some may allow visitors to check themselves in and notify their hosts using a self-serve portal. Using a self-service portal can help reduce the tasks required of front desk staff.

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Ensure compliance and mitigate cybersecurity risks

Properly managing access rights is like locking the doors to a secure vault. It ensures that only the right people can enter, helping organizations stay compliant and fend off cyber threats.

Critical infrastructure, such as power grids, water supply systems, and transportation networks, is facing growing threats. The increase in cyberattacks has shown the need for stronger security measures, including perimeter defenses, strict access controls, and ongoing audits. To protect these vital services, organizations will want to focus on adaptive access management solutions to prevent unauthorized access and reduce risks.

The same goes for the oil and utilities sector—where effective access management can mean the difference between a controlled response and a full-blown crisis.

For example, when a gas leak occurs or equipment malfunctions, it's essential to have a system in place that allows quick access to critical areas for response teams. The shift towards regionalization and cloud adoption highlights the need for a flexible and scalable access management system. Having a comprehensive solution in place means you get full visibility and control, and ensure safety and compliance at all times.

In the energy sector, new challenges are coming up with the use of 5G technology and the rapid growth of data centers. Many organizations aren't investing enough in security, such as access management and controls for tracking individuals during emergencies. Without these measures, they risk falling behind in a fast-changing environment.

INDUSTRY-TAILORED SECURITY

 

How ClearID and system unification can help improve security

Your physical security is a complex system with many moving parts, and access management is a key component. Many organizations are choosing to unify their security systems into one platform to improve operations and overall efficiency. This unified approach simplifies managing access rights, enhances security, and makes adapting to changing needs from any location easier.

Genetec ClearID™ can help you easily manage physical identity and access rights by adjusting employee and contractor accessibility remotely, and on a detailed level. Whether it’s allowing or restricting access to areas, or facilitating visitor experience with self-check-in, ClearID is an adaptable system that helps keep your organization secured.