The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school for continuing education of United States Armed Forces personnel. Unfortunately, as with many educational institutions, the graduate school discovered budget concerns when it came time to upgrade access control security features for the campus. Many schools’ limited budgets require creative thinking to stretch resources further. Even as a school that is part of the United States Air Force, the Air Force Institute of Technology ran into these same monetary obstacles.
It is here, in the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, OH, that IMS Technology & Security came up with a budget-conscious answer. IMS’s customization allows the Air Force Institute of Technology to stick to the budget and upgrade its physical access security systems to their required levels of security clearance.
The access control security problem.
Security on campus is the highest priority for any educational institution. However, there are additional managed access control security protocols and a higher level of access management security needs when it comes to US Armed Forces Educational campuses. The Air Force Institute of Technology at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base desperately needed to upgrade its access control system and ID Readers from Windows 7 systems to Windows 10. Running a government US armed forces institution comes with clearance-level role-based access control needs. Therefore, the campus also needed to set restricted areas with unauthorized access privilege parameters. This process would allow or deny entry to specific areas of buildings based on their ID access card or badge.
The search for a security provider who could help.
The Air Force Institute of Technology school began the arduous search through many security providers to bid on the proposed project. In an attempt to find the best possible security solutions and stay within strict budget restraints, campus personnel spoke with many security professionals from all around. They repeatedly found that although many security companies offered access control with clearance-level access rights, the budget did not account for these security solutions. As pressure mounted, the Air Force school continued to look for alternatives. Multiple security professionals advised the campus directors that lower-budget access control security could not solve their issues without exceeding certain pricing. The school needed new ideas that provided access card authentication and upgraded access control software within the budget restraints.
Professional services who find the answer.
Finally, one security company stepped up to find a solution. Charles Brennan, Owner and Founder of IMS Technology & Security, came out to the Air Force base. They discussed the access control system issues and developed an innovative, successful idea. Seeking an access control solution that met the client’s needs, Mr. Brennan looked over what the campus currently had and the security risks and potential threats. IMS Technology & Security took extra time to investigate the client’s needs, goals, and current situation. By doing so, they came up with a brilliant budget-friendly solution that no other security professionals’ bids could match.
Meeting the access control goals.
The goal was to get access control upgrades that upheld government clearance and move security infrastructure systems away from Windows 7 to Windows 10. IMS could utilize most existing equipment, components, and current infrastructure by modifying existing access card identity readers with customized technology. Hence, IMS changed only a few necessary parts and updated the access control software. This inventive solution presented a huge cost saving and cut the overall project timeline, resulting in additional savings. The idea presented to the board held a cost savings of $90,000.00. The Air Force Institute of Technology finally had its building systems security solution.
Building systems completed in four weeks.
Once installation began, IMS Technology & Security completed 266 door reader modifications and access control software changes in less than four weeks. The ingenious behind problem-solving this project was developing a personalized access control reader that could read the government access card and PIN. Given these identifiers, the individual is granted or denied access based on their specific level of clearance. The new reader capabilities are compliant with portions of the facility having restricted area clearance identifiers. This technology allows different levels of access control throughout specific rooms and buildings on the campus. Access rights grant or deny unauthorized access to restricted spaces based on strict role-based access control identifiers. IMS worked directly with a trusted vendor. Together, they developed the specific customizations needed to set accurate security control qualifiers. The security system parameters identify government clearance level authentication and provide individual levels of clearance accordingly. Only authorized users receive access to sensitive data or a restricted area.
Security Professionals with real knowledge of access control security.
Providing solutions to clients’ problems is not only about the project and the budget but also about the time frame and minimal interruption to the client’s workday. IMS Technology & Security stuck to a tight and precise schedule to reduce interference to the students and staff. Once the project got underway, all the Air Force Institute of Technology had to provide was the IP addresses for their computers. IMS Technology & Security reliably imported/exported all of their data. Furthermore, IMS scheduled several door modifications per day to reduce downtime to less than two hours per door. The scheduled workload began in blocks of 8 doors at a time, 4 in the morning and 4 in the evening. There was minimal interruption or irritation to students and workers on campus. No entrances were out of service for more than two hours. Consequently, this convenient schedule produced a quick turnaround time with minimal problems, delays, or outages. The total project time lasted approximately four weeks.
Professional services built for longevity and long-lasting relationships.
Four years later, IMS Technology & Security is proud to announce a continued well-established relationship with the Air Force Institute of Technology graduate school and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. IMS builds business relationships for longevity. IMS continues to discover creative and cost-effective security solutions for numerous clients. Today, IMS uses the same customized concepts for other projects and comes in at the lowest prices. Customized developed technology designed for this project eliminates the proprietary obstacles that other security companies can’t work around without outsourcing additional parts. The best part is that IMS’s security solutions retain scalability. IMS Technology & Security design secure access for longevity and use technology that continues to be relevant 10 -15 years into the future. IMS’s technology and concepts hold high standards that last and understand scalability with additional security needs as a business grows. Understanding customers now and in the future helps us build organizations for future success.
Summary of AFIT’s access control security success.
In conclusion, The Air Force Institute of Technology needed an on-budget creative solution to handle the high-security protocols for government clearance and access control security protocols. Furthermore, they needed to update access control software to ensure access control parameters were compatible and scalable over time. After reviewing multiple security companies outside of their budget, they almost lost hope. Although many access control system options exist, the school budget needed alternative solutions; on budget. IMS Technology & Security came onsite to investigate and analyze the security situation firsthand. In doing so, they came up with a custom security solution. IMS offered a huge cost savings solution by designing specialized technology to work with the client’s current access readers and other components. The new system achieved all high-security clearance protocols. Creating innovative access card security with custom-designed technology solved the problem at a reasonable cost. IMS finalized the project only four weeks after installation began – including 266 doors. Also, accurate time scheduling minimized downtime and campus interruptions. IMS Technology & Security is currently evolving a long-lasting work relationship with the school.
When situations change, or old security needs a facelift, IMS is happy to work with the Air Force Institute of Technology and all past clients again. Hats off to IMS Technology & Security for completing a complicated job. Well done!
How can IMS help you identify your security threats?
IMS fits you with the correct access control model to suit your specific goals and security needs. So, whether you need physical access control, such as a biometric access control system, access control with video surveillance, or access card readers, IMS solves the problem. IMS is a certified security professional and access control expert. The numerous access control possibilities are almost infinite, from thumb readers and retinal scans to multi-factor authentication and door access. If your building systems need updated security, IMS uses the latest technology for video surveillance, intrusion detection, and access control security. We also provide all your managed network service needs. Our innovative security consultants sit with you to develop the best professional services that meet your security risks and needs. Contact us today!