Page 59 - the SyI Quarterly V3 digital (1)

Biometric solutions will also be under scrutiny as many require fingerprint contact, but with the emergence of facial recognition
technology, contactless versions are now available and still very much worth considering. Access solutions that support mobile
technology will also enable the biometrics built into the phone to authenticate the access decision.

Take some simple measures and look at ways you can remove contact points around your building. Your security system will be
full of contact points, most notably the push to exit button. Look at replacing these with contactless IR buttons or an access reader
instead. Replacing the opening mechanism on your door to a motorised one will make a big difference.

Explore the tools in your access control system
COVID-safe and immunity passports are phrases we are now hearing on a regular basis. How our post-COVID world will look is
currently unclear but businesses will need simple ways to use these to influence an access decision. You may want to consider
creating a portal where your staff can register themselves as ‘at risk’ or showing symptoms (I know the excellent company I work for
has already implemented this). COVID-19 test results or requested staff data can be used to enforce how and when people gain
access to your building. Access control systems have the capability to import this data or link to the databases you hold to facilitate
this in an automated way.

Even with the implementation of these measures, incidents can and will occur. Managing your response to those is essential for
keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring staff safety. Having the ability to send messages or evacuation alarms to individuals
or groups of people in certain areas is vital. Explore the communication, alarm, and evacuation tools within your access control
system and look at ways communication can be achieved via emails, texts, and mobile phone push notifications. Ensuring people
receive information quickly and with clear instructions will make a huge difference.

We are, of course, still unclear about when our country, our cities, and our buildings will be fully functional again but this doesn’t
mean it’s too soon to start planning. The measures you put in place now will mitigate risk in the future.

Get yourselves ready, put your strategy in place, and be one of the first to get back on your feet and keep your business open.
For more information visit: https://security.gallagher.com/COVID-19

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