Maximizing Access Control Scheduling Over the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, everyone’s gearing up for some downtime. According to the U.S. Travel Association, over 110 million Americans plan to take a vacation over the holidays, leaving offices quiet and largely unattended. For corporate spaces, this creates unique security risks, especially in a climate where nearly 40% of small to medium businesses experience break-ins or theft each year—much of which peaks during the holiday lull (FBI Uniform Crime Report, 2023). Here’s where the Schedule feature of an access control system can make all the difference. A well-configured schedule manages employee and visitor access to your facility, keeping corporate assets secure, and creating a “set it and forget it” security plan. If you’re looking for an effective way to protect your workspace without constant oversight, remote management paired with access control scheduling might just be the best gift you give yourself this season. Why Scheduling Access Matters for Corporate Security Security lapses are more common than you’d think, especially when things get busy. While you’re away, a scheduled access control system can step in to ensure security runs smoothly, no matter how low foot traffic might be. Key advantages of access control scheduling include: Time-Based Locking of Entry Points: Define operational hours for specific doors, devices, or departments. Want to keep the IT room locked after 6 PM or limit maintenance staff access? With the right schedule and remote management, it’s easy to automate access, boosting security and cutting costs. User Group Permissions: Rather than manually adjusting permissions, the schedule feature lets you set precise access times based on user groups, making it easier to manage hundreds of employee profiles without a hassle. A recent survey from MarketsandMarkets found that automated scheduling reduces human error in access control by over 45%, and, importantly, helps avoid costly breaches. Overriding Schedules with Holiday Mode The Holiday feature in access control systems is a lifesaver for any corporate environment. While regular schedules cover the day-to-day, holiday mode overrides your usual timeframes, ensuring a complete lockdown or restriction during designated periods. Here’s what this holiday template can achieve: Prevents Unauthorized Access: By setting holiday mode, you can keep secure areas like HR and finance departments locked down, making them inaccessible to general employees. In fact, Securitas reports that this kind of restricted access can reduce break-in attempts by up to 25%. Boosts Surveillance: Activate additional security devices, like cameras or alarms, during low-activity periods. The International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) suggests that enhanced surveillance during quiet periods significantly improves overall site security. Setting Up Your Corporate Security Plan Ready to boost your holiday security? Here’s how to set up effective scheduling in your access control system: Plan Your Holidays: Identify vulnerable periods and set holiday mode to keep doors locked and surveillance active. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, ensuring a strong security presence, even during low-traffic times, can deter about 30% of potential break-ins. Create Department-Specific Schedules: Not every area needs the same access level. Critical zones, like finance or R&D, can have stricter controls, while common areas remain accessible. This setup not only improves overall safety but also simplifies access for team members who genuinely need it. Why Access Control Scheduling is a Smart Move While it’s tempting to let security relax over the holidays, leaving your corporate space unchecked can be risky. Using automated access control systems can significantly reduce security incidents and provide peace of mind during the holiday season. This holiday season, give your corporate space the gift of Millennium’s Access Control Scheduling. Set up, secure, and monitor your facility with ease. Whether it’s setting a holiday schedule, utilizing remote management, or locking down sensitive areas, Millennium’s system is here to simplify your security while everyone’s out of the office. Ready to secure your corporate space? Contact us today to learn more about our custom solutions. Millennium is a scalable, hosted, access control platform that services any type of real estate. Our cloud-based solution allows managers and tenants to efficiently manage their physical security from anywhere while enhancing experience and driving profitability.
