TECHNOLOGY
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ACCESS CONTROL
Jamaican Bank Coordinates Security Over 40+ Branches With AMAG Symmetry
Member-owned Jamaica National Bank (JN Bank), which has been serving Jamaican business and personal customers for more than 140 years, has deployed AMAG Technology’s Symmetry Systems platform solution to coordinate multiple security systems across more than 40 branch locations.
In a highly regulated industry with specific compliance needs — from branch security and HR data collection and retention, to multi-location staff authentication and visitor management — consistency and efficiency are a must. JN Bank was using several security providers, with three to four systems spanning all its branch locations and administrative buildings. Employees complained about having to carry different access cards to switch between locations; and if technical issues arose, multiple providers needed to be contacted for resolution.
The bank was focused on expansion, and management recognized that they had outgrown the multi-system scenario. JN Bank turned to full-service security company Video-Access Security Solutions Ltd. for a single solution to implement across its footprint. The goal was to add visitor management services; source department exit and entry resources at administrative headquarters; and increase HR data retention capabilities to comply with incoming audits. Without a unified system, these integrated needs would be nearly impossible to seamlessly fulfill across all JN Bank locations.
“Based on my professional assessment of the systems [JN Bank] was using … AMAG’s Symmetry System was the clear solution,” said George Kamalu, managing director at Video-Access Security Solutions. “Symmetry was the most unified, seamless platform that satisfied the various needs.”
All bank locations will implement Symmetry GUEST, a centralized, customizable visitor management system with four different visitor licenses available through Symmetry Access Control.
IMAGE COURTESY AMAG TECHNOLOGY
Over a one-year project, JN Bank implemented Symmetry Access Control to replace all previous systems. This software centralizes systems and helps reduce inefficiencies through its support of unlimited card readers, card holders and clients, allowing teams to control all security from a single location and universalizing access among those readers to enhance staff mobility.
Symmetry Access Control is also highly modular, offering users extensive options for integration with all Symmetry preferred partner solutions and a full range of optional software programs to further customize the system to meet any future security needs.
To streamline record keeping and compliance requests, the system provides the ability to note when employees enter/exit specific departments using its readers, generating simplified time/attendance reports. All data retention limitations are removed, significantly increasing a team’s ability to archive essential information in the event of an audit.
Symmetry Access Control now acts as a unified backbone to JN Bank’s security system and increases staff stability, allowing for seamless user access with only a single ID card across all company buildings.
In the branches, Symmetry systems secure all main entrances and allow exit/entrance requests by employees for the most sensitive areas of each location for a higher overall security compliance. The company headquarters and data centers are now equipped with more than 80 card readers, adding the ability to note proof of exit/entry time as a simple solution to time and attendance reports, and meeting HR’s compliance needs with no time limit or data retention.
“AMAG’s … system not only helped JN Bank to streamline our active processes, but has allowed our team to confidently look forward to address future compliance, systems management, and other risk issues,” said Michael Powell, JN Bank’s head of security.
JN Bank’s longevity as an institution would not be possible without protecting its customers’ assets. To that end, the bank also added Symmetry GUEST — a centralized and customizable visitor management system — to its facilities, beginning within two administrative buildings. All company locations and headquarters will implement Symmetry GUEST in the future, with four different visitor licenses available through Symmetry Access Control.
Video-Access Security Solutions also recommended AMAG’s Symmetry system because of the possibilities for future integrations and upgrades. JN Bank has already begun planning for future projects, including programming JN Bank’s existing smart devices (HVAC systems, lights) to deactivate when users exit the premises, allowing for energy conservation when locations are empty; two-factor authentication and biometrics as recommended by security auditors; and integration with existing video systems.
“The ultimate goal was stability for Jamaica National Bank’s future needs,” Kamalu said. “While other systems may offer integration options, our team had the most confidence in AMAG’s manufacturer stability and seamless support options. We knew that in choosing Symmetry, we were setting ourselves up for a successful and long-term partnership between our team and JN Bank, as we continued to adapt together to their security needs.” //
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IMAGE COURTESY OF GENETEC INC.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF INTERFACE SECURITY SYSTEMS
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IMAGE COURTESY OF CRITICALARC
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