A well-defined master security plan helps security teams orchestrate the right amount of protection to continually improve guest experiences, says Tim Purpura, Global VP Sales and Marketing, Morse Watchmans.

Key control provides an essential layer of security that tracks people and assets at busy hotel and casino properties.

Electronic key and asset management technology prevents loss, reduces liability, boosts accountability and reinforces compliance.  

Security management teams for expansive hotel and casino resort properties enforce safety and security procedures with concealed security initiatives so guests can relax in comfortable environments.

Security managers incessantly face incidents which threaten profitability, increase liability and plummet brand reputation.  

Hospitality properties currently have occupancy rates meeting or exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

When hospitality and entertainment venues are at peak capacity with guests, security teams must double-down on proptech and patrols to discern between paying guests and trouble-making trespassers.  

Addressing staffing shortages  

Labour shortages and employee turnover lead to losing the most experienced employees in the industry to competition.

The hospitality industry is rapidly generating jobs, but “fuelling this growth with the right skilled labour is yet another concern for owners,” according to the International Labor Organisation. “Attracting and retaining younger generations of hospitality professionals will require a lot of flexibility and attention from hoteliers in the future.”   

Losing trustworthy employees means greater risk for insider security threats.

New employees need time and experience to prove their professionalism. Most new hires are well-vetted and diligent, yet a risk is always there that some will abuse company policies and cause security incidents.  

A chain of commands in accountability with a dynamic security team and the right security technology help to prevent such incidents and also help during staffing shortages.  

Preventing loss  

Due to inflation in everything from meals to room charges, and pay checks being stretched further, desperation fuels opportunistic insider or outsider thieves to steal assets.

Items such as décor, food, liquor, linens, supplies, tools, appliances and personal items are subsequently targeted and stolen.  

Cybercriminals are also busy hacking data or stealing computer hardware with all the contents residing on the hard drive. 

Keys are also assets that protect people, property and provisions.

Keys also need to be protected so they are not misused.  

When even one key on the premises gets into the wrong hands, there is greater risk for liability, loss of property, assets and shrinking profit margins.

Key control prevents loss and protects assets.  

Spelling out key control  

Key control policies must clearly define the objectives and rules regarding key usage and how keys are dispensed to authorised users.

The master security plan must be reviewed and amended annually to include regulatory and compliance, changes to the physical facility, such as renovations.   

Routinely taking inventory of keys ensures that none are excluded from the key control system.

A seamlessly implemented key control policy with a key control system ensures a smooth process that allows hotel and casino security teams to always know which keys are out, who has them as well as when and where they are returned.   

How key control systems work   

Electronic key control systems release keys only to authorised key users.

Programming capabilities allow keys to be released at specific times to specific users on specific days and other criteria determined by key control administrators.

These systems are easy to install and network throughout the facility so data about the locations of all keys is shared throughout the entire system.   

Ease of use allows staff to quickly learn how to use them.

Authorised users enter credentials through biometrics, ID cards, or PIN codes, or a combination of these and the illuminated area surrounding their specific keys shows them which keys they are authorised to remove.   

Electronic key control systems provide access control and asset management for the interior facility footprint and the building perimeter.

Key control is used by housekeeping departments, facilities and maintenance, shipping and receiving, financial operations, fleet management and security departments.  

When users need to return keys, the same credentials are entered into any key control cabinet within the site.

Once the keys are returned, the system locks them in place, so they are available for subsequent work shifts.

If attempts are made to access the cabinet without authorisation, system notifications are immediately sent to security personnel. 

Every key transaction is recorded, which provides an audit trail on demand. Audit trail reports can be scheduled to email to appropriate personnel and printed as required.  

Improving accountability and productivity  

When keys are securely stored in an electronic key control cabinet, it is unlikely that they will be squandered away to be used for nefarious reasons. Monitoring key usage is secure and efficient.   

Work shift changes, particularly for large housekeeping or facilities maintenance departments, no longer involve manual key sign-in and sign-out sheets with pegboards holding unsecured keys, which increase incidents of misplaced keys.

With electronic key control systems, every key is accounted for, 24/7, with authorised users having accountability for their specific keys by removing and returning them for their work shifts only.  

Maintaining compliance to reduce risk and liability  

Hotels and casinos are challenged with maintaining regulatory compliance and insurance risk through state, federal and tribal mandates.

Keys used for sensitive operations, including counting rooms, drop boxes, lockers, vaults, server rooms and other areas must be used by authorised personnel only.  

Key control systems keep hotel and casino properties compliant by providing access control and asset management by dispensing keys to only authorised key users when their credentials are entered into the system.  

Security technology is designed to prevent liability, which in turn keeps properties compliant. Being caught out of compliance can result in hefty fines or even operational closure until compliance issues are resolved.  

Protecting people during emergencies  

Guest and employee safety is a top priority at hotel and casino properties.

Flooding, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, active intruders, bomb threats, power outages and failed mechanical equipment are risks that seldomly occur, yet being prepared for them is crucial.   

Emergency evacuation and rescue protocol must be carefully orchestrated and planned before a disaster occurs.

First responders need to obtain keys immediately to access areas of the building and to rescue people.

Electronic key control systems provide immediate access to master keys intended specifically for first responders.  

The benefits of key control security  

Integrating key control systems with existing hotel security systems and synchronising the actual time data between the systems saves time and energy for security teams.

When keys are secured and protected in electronic key control systems, so are people and property.  

The benefit of key control systems is that they provide the security boost needed for hotel and casino properties so that operations run smoothly with increased productivity, accountability and profitability.   

Mitigating security risks such as theft, vandalism and other security incidents through key control means that guests and employees benefit from safer environments.

A well-defined master security plan along with robust security technology helps security teams orchestrate the right amount of protection to continually improve guest experiences for hotel and casino properties.   

This article was originally published in the December Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.