Vendor Directory Poor access control can not only lead to security concerns but it can also have a significant impact on a company’s operational efficiency and bottom line. In this interview, we speak to leading access control system provider, Acsys, to understand how the telecom tower industry has been affected by poorly managed access control and discuss the advantages that mechatronic locks can bring to the sector.
TowerXchange: Please can you describe some of the limitations of mechanical locks and keys?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
There are several limitations in the use of mechanical locks and keys; keys can be copied, lost and forgotten or unreturned and the cost of replacing the lock is often higher than the lock itself. In managing keys, operators need to employ numerous amounts of workers who require training and the wrong keys can be given to the vendor. With traditional mechanical lock and key there is no way to prevent collusion, and users can forget to close sites (intentionally or not).
Regular audits need to be undertaken to ascertain the amount of keys in use and the keys’ location and the management of keys and locks requires dedicated space and security. Managing keys on weekends or during an emergency is a problem as staff will not be present, it is critical to be able to respond quickly to downed sites but if access is prevented in the absence of keys then the only way is to cut the locks which will require a lock replacement and sites can stay unsecured for quite some time
When keys are copied it is difficult to detect when a theft or loss occurs and with picking and bumping there is no proof of break and entry and as such there are high insurance premiums. The result of these inefficiencies is that some vendors eventually make their own copies of the keys to gain access.
TowerXchange: In relation to controlling access and NOCs, what are some of the operational challenges faced?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
The NOC deals with a complex set of equipment that is scattered around a region and is impossible to control efficiently with mechanical locks. The NOC also deals with a large amount of vendors, who are responsible for site maintenance. It is hard for the NOC to respond efficiently to emergencies as they don’t know where the vendors are located and false alarms can cause disorder.
Access to the NOC is impossible to control. Vendors are requested to do maintenance and only do it when they are able to do it, not necessarily when the NOC has requested that they do it. When sites are down it can be difficult to find the vendor, the NOC then needs to call other support to get someone to the site
The NOC is looking for a solution whereby tickets are issued and acted upon as quickly as possible in a first phase. In a second phase the NOC needs to know when the vendor has arrived, what he has done, whether the problem is fixed and when he has left the site. NOC operations need to rely solely on the vendors assertions
TowerXchange: What challenges can poor access control systems have on SLA implementation and adherence?
Olivier Meganck, VP Sales, Africa, Acsys:
MNOs and towercos will have SLAs in place with their vendors to regulate site maintenance. These SLAs have escalation clauses that dictate when a vendor should arrive on location. It is hard for the NOC to see when vendors are going to the sites and if they completed the job correctly making SLAs redundant.
The lack of data prevents an operator from setting operational KPIs to benchmark the performance of the various vendors between each other. The fact that there is no or little data from the performance on the SLA also means that the NOC and operator need to rely on the vendor to obtain performance information which creates a conflict of interest. SLAs fees are being paid when the services that need to be provided aren’t being carried out. Vendors invoke the problems of collecting and returning keys as a valid reason for non-compliance with SLAs.
TowerXchange: What are the advantages of implementing mechatronic locks for remote site management?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
Mechatronic locking systems cannot be picked/bumped, hacked, copied or corrupted in any way. Telecom customised software enables the NOC to manually or automatically control where users can go, for how long wirelessly and in real-time with minimal cost.
Mechatronic solutions allow the NOC to control precisely what assets can be opened and when. All keys and locks memorise the last thousand actions giving an incorruptible record of the user’s actions, providing the NOC and operator with valuable operational data.
The mechatronic locks combine four important solutions into one system; a wireless and real-time access control system, a high security lock and key solution, a time and attendance solution and a key management solution
TowerXchange: What are some of the basic practical advantages of mechatronic locks?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
The solution is a standard padlock and Euro-Din cylinder configuration meaning that no modifications are required to install them. The padlocks and cylinders can be fitted on all equipment and no maintenance is required. The stainless steel plating prevents corrosion on the padlock body and cylinder and what’s more anyone can use the solution.
The operational advantages of using mechatronic locks are instantly visible after deployment and lasting over time, uptime is increased and the solution prevents keys being copied, stolen, lost or unreturned, locks being picked, issues around collecting and returning keys, the requirements for lock and key audits and unauthorised access.
TowerXchange; How do mechatronic locks contribute to increased efficiency?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
Users can service more sites in one day and a user’s position and length on site is controlled and monitored. The NOC can have a real-time view of site status looking at the number of sites, which sites have guards and are they present or not, which site is in need of maintenance and for what reason and which and how many vendors are on the site.
By implementing mobile apps, the NOC is now able to receive real-time site information and user performance, such as when did the user receive the task, accept the task, arrive on and leave the site. This system can also monitor what the user did on the site (watermark GPS pictures) and can also receive information on whether the user closed the locks after leaving the site.
This data has significant value to determine SLA adherence because the tower owner can now see exactly what is happening on their site. Being able to understand who is going where and for how long means that the owner can make smarter business decisions. Data collected by mechatronic locks gives concrete undisputable data on whether the vendor has been meeting the SLAs. Furthermore upon additional analysis of the data, site operators can create and negotiate more suitable SLAs using the information collected.
TowerXchange: How do mechatronic locks increase site and user security and reduce theft?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Africa, Acsys:
With regards to safety and security, as the NOC knows who is on the site and for what reason, in the case a vendor does not request a locking code (because of a fall or injury) the NOC is able to act on that.
In relation to thefts, most thefts are caused by people who had a mechanical key at one stage and copied it. The mechatronic keys can have an embedded feature that monitors where the key is being used, if the user tries to fraudulently use the key three times, the key will automatically block themselves thereby forcing the user to go back to the NOC or programmer to update his key.
TowerXchange: What information can be collected to monitor behavioural patterns and how does this translate into more cost effective operations?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
The NOC will be able to download the access logs stored on the key through programmers and study what sites or assets were accessed and when, how long the vendor spent on each site, whether the user tried to access sites or assets without authorisation and on which day, time or location.
By collecting data on user performance the NOC and operator are now able to obtain site maintenance benchmarks which in turn allow them to set KPIs for certain tasks.
In addition, mechatronic locks allow for increased flexibility. When a technician is unavailable, another can be called as a substitute with no wasted time or resources. A temporary access can be instantly granted ‘on the fly’ for a site normally outside of this technician’s work zone.
By collecting data on behavioural patterns, the financial department is also able to control how much time was spent on site by users, thereby gaining a better control over payment of billable hours to vendors.
TowerXchange: How will the data that mechatronic locks provide influence the way in which the telecoms sector works?
Rani Ariss, VP Sales EMEA, Acsys:
Using the data that mechatronic locking systems provide effectively will lead to more efficient access policies, enhanced SLA agreements and increased productivity. The data collected does not only benefit the site owner, but is also valuable for tenants and vendors. The data helps build relationships between the ecosystem by aiding their understanding and giving evidence of site activities. The more a database is built and the further it is integrated the more valuable it becomes to its users.
Acsys Technologies will be exhibiting at the 6th Annual TowerXchange Meetup Africa & Middle East, being held on 9-10 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. Visit the website for more information
