Why access control matters (and where keys fail)
Keys are simple—until they aren’t. An employee leaves and never returns the copy. Someone duplicates one at a roadside kiosk. Your generator room is “restricted” but everyone has the same key. If you’ve ever had to rekey a building, you already know why businesses are switching to modern access control.
What “good” looks like in Nigeria
Whether it’s a multi-tenant office in Lekki, a retail branch in Abuja, or a factory in Port Harcourt, the goals are the same: keep the wrong people out, let the right people in, and leave a clean trail of who did what, when. That trail—your audit log—becomes priceless during investigations or compliance checks.
Credentials: cards, PINs, mobile, or biometrics?
- RFID Cards/Fobs: Affordable, quick to issue. Great for large teams. If lost, you deactivate it in seconds.
- PIN Codes: Cheap and simple, but easily shared. Use only for low-risk doors or as a backup.
- Mobile Credentials: Open doors with your phone. No plastic cards to manage. Works well for managers and contractors.
- Biometrics (fingerprint/face): High assurance. Best for server rooms, finance offices, exam stores, and labs. Ensure power and network are stable.
Hardware that actually works
You’ll hear terms like controllers, readers, maglocks, and door strikes. Here’s the quick version:
- Controllers: The brain. Decide who gets in and when. Networked controllers let you manage multiple sites from one dashboard.
- Locks: Maglocks are strong and great for glass doors. Strikes are discreet and keep the door hardware intact.
- Power: Always add a dedicated power supply, exit button, break-glass unit, and UPS. Lagos traffic is unpredictable; power shouldn’t be.
- Network: If you want reports and remote control, wire it cleanly. We prefer structured cabling and PoE where possible.
Use cases we deploy every week
- Head office: Reception turnstiles, executive floor, finance office, server room, store.
- Warehouse: Perimeter gates, loading bay, cold room, high-value cage, control room.
- Schools: Exam strong room, ICT lab, library store, hostels.
- Residential estates: Pedestrian gates, clubhouse, pool, plant rooms.
Reports, compliance, and HR integration
Beyond opening doors, the best systems give you evidence. Who entered the server room at 2:17pm? Did the contractor return on Saturday? Many controllers integrate with time & attendance, so HR gets clean data without manual roll calls.
Costs (and how to avoid overspending)
Prices vary by door type and credentials. A basic card-based single door can be modest; biometric, glass doors, and heavy-duty frames cost more. The real savings come from planning: we phase projects by door criticality—start with server/finance doors, then reception and key offices. That way, you’re secure immediately and spend wisely.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying “all-in-one” readers for high-risk doors without a proper controller or audit trail.
- No UPS or surge protection—one outage and the door fails open or shut.
- Ignoring emergency egress requirements. Safety comes first; we always add break-glass and fail-safe planning.
Related reading
- Structured Cabling: The Backbone of Modern Offices
- Preventive Maintenance for Security Systems
- Security for Warehouses and Industrial Facilities
FAQs
Can we mix cards and biometrics?
Yes. Many clients use cards for general areas and biometrics for high-risk rooms. We’ll map it to your risk profile.
What happens during a power cut?
We include a proper PSU and UPS. For emergency exits, we set fail-safe/fail-secure correctly and add break-glass units.
How long does installation take?
Single doors can be completed the same day. Head offices with 10–20 doors typically take a week, including testing and training.