Every day, employees, vendors, and visitors enter your building. But do you really know who is inside at any given moment? For many Chicago businesses, traditional lock-and-key systems provide no visibility, accountability, or control once someone walks away with a key. As retail theft and workplace crime continue to affect businesses across the city, relying on physical keys alone creates unnecessary security risks.
Since 1982, Alarm Security Inc. (ASI) has designed and installed access control systems for businesses throughout the Chicagoland area. Based in Des Plaines, Illinois, ASI serves schools, warehouses, financial institutions, retail stores, automotive dealerships, cannabis businesses, and government facilities that need better control over who enters their properties and when. As a result, customized security solutions help organizations improve security, reduce liability, and operate with greater confidence.
The Hidden Risks of Traditional Key Systems
Traditional keys may seem simple, but they create several security challenges that can expose your business to unnecessary risk.
- Lost or stolen keys: Missing keys can compromise your facility and force you to pay for expensive, time-consuming rekeying.
- No access records: If theft or unauthorized entry occurs, you have no reliable way to determine who entered the building.
- Limited permission control: Physical keys make it difficult to assign different access levels for employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors.
- No remote management: You cannot grant, revoke, or modify access without physically collecting or distributing keys.
These issues create more than everyday inconveniences. Instead, they increase security risks and make investigations more difficult. Furthermore, organizations in highly regulated industries, including banking, cannabis, and government, may also face compliance challenges when they cannot properly document facility access.
What Do Access Control Systems Do?
Access control systems replace traditional keys with electronic credentials such as ID badges, key fobs, mobile credentials, or biometric verification. When someone presents an approved credential, the system verifies the person’s identity, checks authorization, records the event, and either grants or denies entry within seconds.
A professionally designed system typically includes:
- Electronic locking hardware: Door strikes, magnetic locks, and electronic locksets.
- Credential readers: Card readers, biometric scanners, and mobile-enabled readers installed at entry points.
- Access control panels: Controllers that verify credentials and manage user permissions.
- Management software: A centralized platform that assigns credentials, tracks activity, and monitors access throughout the facility.
Moreover, access control systems become even more effective when they integrate with video surveillance and burglar alarm systems. Together, these technologies provide a complete view of your property’s security.
ASI’s Customized Access Control Solutions
Every business has unique security requirements. Therefore, ASI begins every project with a comprehensive on-site assessment. Licensed security professionals evaluate entry points, traffic patterns, operational needs, regulatory requirements, and potential vulnerabilities before recommending a customized solution.
As a Bosch Authorized Security Dealer, ASI installs dependable, scalable equipment that supports both single-location businesses and organizations with multiple facilities across Illinois.
ASI provides a wide range of access control solutions, including:
- Card and key fob systems
- Mobile credentials
- Biometric authentication
- Visitor management systems with temporary credentials
- Integrated video surveillance
- Remote system management through secure web and mobile platforms
Which Businesses Benefit Most from Access Control?
Nearly every organization benefits from modern access control. However, certain industries gain even greater value because of their security requirements.
- Schools: Control visitor access, secure entrances, and support lockdown procedures.
- Warehouses: Restrict access to inventory while maintaining detailed entry logs.
- Retail stores: Secure stockrooms, offices, and safes while monitoring employee access.
- Cannabis businesses: Meet state access requirements and maintain accurate entry records.
- Financial institutions: Protect vaults, IT rooms, and other high-security areas with advanced authentication.
- Government facilities: Manage detailed permission levels and strengthen security with biometric credentials.
Why Choose Alarm Security Inc.?
Selecting the right installer matters just as much as choosing the right equipment. Alarm Security Inc. stands apart because of its experience, expertise, and commitment to customer service.
- More than 40 years of experience: Since 1982, ASI has protected Chicago-area businesses and understands the region’s unique security challenges.
- Fast local service: Des Plaines-based technicians respond quickly whenever service or support is needed.
- Certified professionals: Experienced security specialists install and maintain integrated security systems with precision.
- Complete security solutions: ASI designs and installs burglar alarms, fire alarms, video surveillance, and access control systems that work together.
- UL-listed fire alarm expertise: ASI helps businesses meet NFPA 72 life safety requirements through professionally installed and maintained fire alarm systems.
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating: Decades of dependable service and customer satisfaction have earned ASI an A+ BBB rating.
Security Starts at Your Front Door
Every entrance represents an opportunity to strengthen your security. Professional access control systems provide the visibility, accountability, and control you need to know who entered your building, when they arrived, and how to respond if a security incident occurs.
For more than 40 years, Alarm Security Inc. has helped Chicago-area businesses protect their employees, facilities, and assets through customized access control solutions. Whether you operate a single office or multiple locations, ASI can design a system that fits your operational and security needs.
Contact our Des Plaines team today for a free security consultation. Call (847) 390-9600 to speak with an access control specialist and learn how professionally managed entry systems can improve your facility’s security.
FAQs
How much do access control systems cost?
Costs depend on the number of doors, the credential types you choose, the software features you need, and how the system integrates with your existing security equipment. We provide free on-site consultations along with detailed, upfront proposals. Call (847) 390-9600 to schedule your consultation.
Can an access control system integrate with my existing video surveillance and burglar alarm?
Yes. Alarm Security Inc. designs fully integrated security systems that connect access control, video surveillance, and burglar alarms into one platform. Consequently, you can review access events alongside recorded video while managing everything from a single interface.
What happens if someone loses a key card or leaves the company?
You can immediately deactivate that person’s electronic credential through the management software. As a result, you avoid replacing locks or rekeying your facility. Additionally, you can quickly issue new credentials for replacement employees, contractors, or temporary visitors.
Will the system continue working during a power outage?
Yes. We install battery backup systems that keep your access control system operating during power outages. Depending on your facility’s requirements and fire code regulations, we configure doors as either fail-safe or fail-secure.
How long does installation take?
Installation time varies based on the number of doors, wiring requirements, and system integrations. During your consultation, ASI will provide a detailed project schedule and coordinate installation to minimize disruptions to your daily operations.
Ready to control who enters your building? Contact Alarm Security Inc. in Des Plaines today or call (847) 390-9600 to schedule your free security consultation.
