Managing hotel security is always a challenge, but during peak season things can get chaotic.
Hotel security is critical year-round, as guests coming to stay at these establishments expect that their privacy and security will be taken seriously by the facility they choose to stay at. Being away from home can be difficult, and hotels are there to provide guests with a comfortable experience. During peak season, security becomes more important than ever as rooms fill up, and the extra activity can create openings for problematic scenarios that may lead to a damaged reputation for any hotel that isn’t prepared to stop a security threat or, at the very least, significantly mitigate any damage done.
Physical Security Assessment
If you haven’t performed a physical hotel security assessment yet, now is the time. Peak season brings a flurry of activity along with it, and physical security that is lacking will struggle to deter and handle any potential security threats that occur. For the best results, bring in a security professional to do a thorough sweep of your building. They can provide a wealth of information on where your hotel’s security is falling short and determine which areas need the most immediate attention.
Systems that should be inspected include, but are not limited to:
- Guest room access control
- Event room access control
- Surveillance systems
- Fire alarms and fire safety systems
- Emergency communication systems
Better Locks
The days of the magstripe are over. These outdated keycards have become very unreliable due to the growth of hacking and spoofing technology, making rooms that still use these old card readers less secure than they should be. If your hotel is still using these old systems, it is time to upgrade.
New locks utilize RFID and smart technology for access control that is both more secure and more convenient for guests. While some locks can simply utilize RFID keycards, which maintains the status quo in a more secure way, other locks also have BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) compatibility and can be opened via a mobile device—no more keycards!
A step away from keycards isn’t just beneficial for guests, either. Hotels no longer need to purchase these and keep them on hand, replace lost ones, or deal with the potential threat of someone having access to one that was dropped or misplaced by a guest.
Routine Safety Training
All of the fancy modern systems in the world cannot replace the human aspect of security. In many cases, employees are not properly trained in safety and emergency procedures—this is a problem. Employees who undergo regular safety training and emergency drills will be more effective at protecting property and guests during a security incident or other emergency. They will have the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain calm, identify problematic situations more quickly, respond to emergencies appropriately, and assist in de-escalation or evacuations, along with the ability to handle many different situations.
TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS AT ARK SYSTEMS
Located in Columbia, Maryland, ARK Systems provides unsurpassed quality and excellence in the security industry, from system design all the way through to installation. We handle all aspects of security with local and remote locations. With over 30 years in the industry, ARK Systems is an experienced security contractor. Trust ARK to handle your most sensitive data storage, surveillance, and security solutions.
Contact ARK Systems at 1-800-995-0189 or click here today. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!