Is Your Access Control System a Strength or a Liability?

Many businesses invest in access control systems expecting solid security, but without proper setup and management, these systems can create a false sense of safety. With data breaches costing millions and 85% of all successful breaches involving a human element, your access control could be a liability, not a defence.

Here are the 6 Warning Signs Your Access Control Isn't As Secure As You Think:

1. Physical Keys and Cards Are a Known Liability: Lost, stolen, or shared credentials create immediate risks.
2. Your Technology is Outdated or Unsupported: Legacy systems can be hacked with cheap, readily available tools.
3. Employee Access is a Free-for-All: Former employees retain access, and current staff have excessive permissions.
4. Your Security Systems Work in Isolation: Access control doesn't integrate with CCTV or alarms.
5. You Have No Audit Trail or Oversight: Limited logging means you can't detect suspicious activity.
6. Digital Backdoors Are Left Wide Open: Poor data encryption and cloud misconfigurations expose your business.

I'm Dave Symons. Over 16 years of installing access control systems across Queensland, I've seen these warning signs leave businesses exposed. At DASH Symons Group, we help clients transform vulnerable systems into genuinely secure, integrated solutions that provide real peace of mind.

The 6 Warning Signs Your Access Control Isn’t As Secure As You Think

At DASH Symons Group, we believe that understanding the problem is the first step towards a truly secure solution. Let's dig into the specific signs that your access control might be less secure than you believe.

1. Physical Keys and Cards Are a Known Liability

Many businesses rely on traditional keycards and fobs, but these physical items carry risks that can compromise your security. The main flaw is that they verify the card, not the person holding it.

Common Physical Security Risks

• Lost, Stolen, or Shared Credentials: A lost or copied card is a direct key for an unauthorised person to enter your premises. Unlike a physical key for one door, an access card can often open multiple areas.
• Improper Storage: Leaving cards in an open uped drawer is like leaving your front door key under the doormat.
• Tailgating: An unauthorised person simply follows an authorised employee through a door before it closes. This common tactic bypasses the system entirely.

Because anyone holding a card can gain access, it's difficult to prevent unauthorised entry. Advanced biometric systems (fingerprints, facial recognition) offer a more secure alternative because they verify the individual, not just a piece of plastic. A multi-layered approach combining technology with clear employee policies is essential.

For more information on securing your entry points, you can explore our insights on Access Control Systems.

2. Your Technology is Outdated or Unsupported

One of the clearest of the 6 Warning Signs Your Access Control Isn't As Secure As You Think is when the technology itself is obsolete. Just like an old phone, an outdated access system can't defend against modern threats.

Signs Your System is Outdated

• Legacy Hardware and Software: Old, yellowed keypads are a visual cue. If the system's software hasn't been updated in years, it's full of unpatched vulnerabilities that are open doors for cyber-attacks.
• Easily Hacked: Many older systems can be hacked with cheap, readily available devices that clone or intercept card data.
• No Manufacturer Support: Systems typically have a 5-7 year lifespan. If the manufacturer no longer provides updates or security patches, your system is vulnerable to new exploits.

Regularly patching software is vital for security. If you suspect your system is outdated, a professional assessment is crucial to protect your organisation from risk.

Don't let an outdated system put your organisation at risk. Learn more about maintaining your systems on our Security System Repair page.

3. Employee Access is a Free-for-All

Even with advanced technology, human error and poor management create major security gaps. This is a critical warning sign, especially when it comes to managing employee access throughout their time with your business.

Risks of Poor Employee Access Management

• Former Employees Retaining Access: When an employee leaves, their access rights must be terminated immediately. A disgruntled former employee with active credentials is a significant threat.
• Access Creep: As employees change roles, their permissions often aren't updated. This "access creep" means people accumulate more access than they need, increasing the risk of insider threats.
• Ignoring the Principle of Least Privilege: This best practice dictates that employees should only have access to what is absolutely necessary for their job. Granting universal access creates a much larger attack surface.

To prevent these risks, conduct regular user access reviews and implement clear policies for offboarding and role changes. This ensures privileges align with current roles and responsibilities.

We help businesses implement robust access management strategies through our Programmed Maintenance services, ensuring your access controls are always up-to-date.

4. Your Security Systems Work in Isolation

Many businesses run access control, CCTV, and alarms, yet these systems often function in isolation. That lack of integration weakens security, slows response, leaves blind spots an attacker can exploit, and makes investigations harder.

Impact of Poor Integration

• Inefficient Response: When systems don't communicate, responding to an incident is slow. Security staff have to manually check different systems, wasting crucial time when every second counts.
• Lack of Verification: An access log shows a card was used, but without linked CCTV footage, you can't confirm who used it. This makes investigations difficult.
• Missed Efficiencies: Integrated systems are smarter. For example, access control can communicate with HVAC and lighting, activating them only in an employee's work area after hours, saving energy and costs.

When your security components don't work together, you're left with blind spots. Integrating them with modern security camera systems provides a complete picture and enables a faster, more effective response.

Find how we can connect your security systems on our Integrated Security Solutions page.

5. You Have No Audit Trail or Oversight

Knowing who went where and when is fundamental to security. If your system lacks comprehensive logs, or if no one reviews them, you're blind to potential threats. This is another of the critical 6 Warning Signs Your Access Control Isn't As Secure As You Think.

Why Poor Oversight is a Major Risk

Without a clear audit trail, you can't detect suspicious patterns like repeated failed login attempts or access at unusual hours. This leads to serious consequences:

• Delayed Breach Detection: It can take months to find a breach. Real-time alerts for forced entries or unusual access attempts can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major data loss, a fact highlighted in reports like the Verizon DBIR report.
• Lack of Accountability: Without proof of who accessed an area, it's impossible to hold individuals accountable for policy violations.
• Compliance Issues: Many industry regulations require detailed access logs. Failing to maintain them can lead to heavy fines.

A good security policy includes monitoring and analysing logs to address vulnerabilities before they're exploited. We can help you implement robust monitoring and logging solutions to give you full visibility over your system.

6. Digital Backdoors Are Left Wide Open

Digital vulnerabilities can bypass physical security entirely. These digital backdoors are a crucial, and often overlooked, warning sign.

Digital Weaknesses to Watch For

• Poor Data Security: Your access control system collects sensitive data. If this data isn't encrypted and regularly backed up, it's vulnerable to cyber-attacks and loss.
• Cloud Misconfigurations: With many breaches involving data stored in the cloud, as noted in an IBM report, security is paramount. Misconfigured cloud resources can create backdoors for attackers to access or manipulate your system remotely.
• Weak Identity and Access Management (IAM): This extends to all digital access. Weaknesses include excessive admin privileges, no multi-factor authentication (MFA), and shared passwords.
• Remote Work Risks: Personal devices used for work can become insecure entry points to your network, introducing malware or bypassing your carefully designed controls.

Addressing these digital vulnerabilities requires a comprehensive approach, including robust encryption, secure cloud configurations, and strong IAM policies.

For robust digital and physical security solutions, explore our Business Security System Installation services.

From Vulnerability to Visibility: A Custom Security Partnership

At DASH Symons Group, we know there's no one-size-fits-all security solution. The 6 Warning Signs Your Access Control Isn't As Secure As You Think are common, but the right fix is unique to your business. Our consulting-led approach means we take the time to understand your operations and design a smart technology solution that provides genuine peace of mind.

With over 16 years of experience in Queensland, we are your trusted partner for the long haul, offering dependable support to ensure your systems remain effective and future-focused. Ready to turn those warning signs into strengths? Contact us for a consultation and let's build a security system that truly fits your business.