The University of East Anglia has integrated a key management product with its Gallagher access control system to provide security across the multi-site campus. Previously, the Norwich-based uni was running manual key management, with limited records of who had access to keys and when they were taken or returned. Due to the loss of a set of keys, which required the replacement of certain locks, the uni decided on a more thorough process.
The university already has an electronic access system in place, Gallagher Command Centre. The installation of more electronically controlled doors was considered. However, because only a limited number of people required access to those doors and they were physically disparate it was not deemed as cost-effective.
Despite this, some sensitive areas did require access restriction and careful monitoring of who was using the keys and when. For example, rooms where chemicals are stored were considered an extremely sensitive area, but only a small number of staff needed access to them.
The Traka key management product enables access to these areas via the staff member or student’s access card. Because the Traka product was integrated with the Gallagher system, the central administrator or approved users can set up access permissions automatically via an existing Identity Management System. This means that the campus can set a hierarchy of access rights for a person, which will allow them to use their existing card to access keys to sensitive areas and electronically controlled doors, if they have been given prior permission. The Traka system also records who has taken keys, when they have taken them and when they have returned them. This data is fed back into the Gallagher system and is included in the campus’s existing security reports.
The key management also lets a large number of students have access to sports equipment. Because of the accountability the key management provides, there is less chance of keys going missing, as access to keys can only be granted if a student uses their own card.
Jonathan Richardson, Assistant CIS Director at University of East Anglia said: “The most important aspect of the Traka system is the seamless integration to our existing access management processes. There has been minimal disruption and changes, and the Traka solution seems to compliment the Gallagher system very well.
“We are now able to monitor who is accessing keys, and when they are returning them. This is invaluable as the accountability ensures keys are being looked after, and it also allows us to monitor the times they are being returned.” Visit www.traka.com.
