REPORTING FROM AGE – THE BIG TOPIC: SYSTEM VULNERABILITY
One of the great benefits of attending AGE is the chat … chatting with managers who are facing challenges daily. You immediately get a gauge on the issues that are top of mind for club managers and directors.
This year it seemed clear there is great concern about the substantial increases in data breach events our country is experiencing … and the potential consequences of those events.
The fact those breaches have now reached the club industry has brought it all very close to home.
In the past, we’ve written about the significant benefits being missed by holding on to legacy systems that remain functional – like access control systems – but are a couple of generations behind the current technology.
It is a fact that updating and jumping to current technology will likely provide functions and features that will make your systems more robust, more secure and easier to operate – and possibly even save on operational costs.
Some features of modern Access Control systems include:
- Manage and control multiple sites.
- Intuitive user interface for all devices.
- Manage & control alarms from devices.
- Native support of 3rd party devices.
- Dynamic floor plans.
- Database partitioning for multi-site operations.
- Built-in event history.
- Increases in the number of ways to integrate between various platforms businesses use.
- More robust reporting engines, providing the data you want in the form you ant to see it.
- Integration of key cabinets into Access Control.
Alone, the benefits make it very attractive to upgrade.
But, when you add risk mitigation to that list – well, attractive may just become compelling.
It seems clear to us – and to many managers and directors we talk with – the rising incidence and sophistication of cyberattacks and data breaches means that the “set and forget” approach to systems like Access Control raises both vulnerability and risk much higher levels – perhaps even critical.
Access Control Systems are essential safeguards for many enterprises, including clubs.
Having this pivotal role means that any unauthorised access could have impacts on multiple levels – sensitive information can be compromised, privacy breached, wider systems integrity can be threatened, and operations brought to a standstill.
From our observations many of the Access Control Systems in operation across clubs are pretty old – anything up to about 20 years old! Don’t get me wrong, they are still working and serving their purpose – despite their age, they are pretty good.
Should they be updated, upgraded? And, if so, when?
Well, many newer platforms are now including hardening guides for their systems and out of the box hardening standards. As these are common global standards, it often simplifies the conversation with IT when having to discuss on how best to deploy the platform within your networks.
The newer platforms have information on their level of cybersecurity which significantly helps the business’s IT department more quickly understand and mitigate the potential cyber risks.
Now, might be just the right time to start a conversation about how to your security system is protected.
EXACT TECHNOLOGIES is the perfect partner for that conversation.
Contact us today to arrange your free, no obligation consultation – or click here, submit your details and we’ll contact you. Or just call us on 1 300 802 298
Exact’s experience and expertise in clubs, pubs and licensed venues is extensive and the ideal team to look to when you’re considering technology for your venue.
For more information contact Steve Van Zwieten
Exact Technologies
Phone: 1 300 802 298
(M/L: 000101630):
