Secure environments

Integrating with almost any 3rd party access control system, Traka can easily be installed and configured to help protect your organisation by reducing risk, enforcing processes, as well as better managing your people and the resources they use. Both compliance and duty of care are high on the agenda. Traka is a certified Lenel OAAP Partner and works in partnership with UniLink and Gunnebo to provide complete security control solutions.

Who uses these systems?

Traka systems are used to manage user access to either conventional keys or physical assets such as attack alarms or security radios. These systems are widely used in many prisons, police stations, secure units, special hospitals, detention centres and immigration centres to ensure that staff must take the necessary PPE (personal precautionary equipment) with them onto the wards when visiting patients or inmates. Upon return, it forces the staff to return their keys, or the equipment issued, before they can physically leave the building.

A interesting case...

Many of our clients in this field of work are naturally rather reluctant to shout-out about the security controls that they have in place - but one client in particular went public recently, West Berkshire Basic Command Unit describing the completion of the refurbished Custody Suite at Newbury Police Station. "Losing keys in a custodial environment is a worst-case scenario! The Newbury custody suite was designed to meet new standards and Judy Blake (Project Manager) explained that custody doors are now fitted with new electronic locks (Chubb). However, keeping track of who had used the keys for these locks remained an issue - so, Traka systems were integrated - and this now completes 'the circle of accountability'." To read the full article - download the PDF opposite.

What benefits does Traka offer?

The controlling Traka software can be configured easily by an administrator or security manager to define which keys (or equipment) a user should take. How many keys can be taken together and if multiple authorisation is needed for important keys. It can also specify if this is restricted to certain time periods - such as a shift pattern or weekdays only. It can raise an alert if keys or equipment are not returned by a specified time. And, it allows for the user to report, when they return their keys or equipment, if there was a problem or fault with the asset issued. Finally, it makes that member of staff totally accountable and responsible for the asset that was assigned to them, as all key transactions are fully audited on the system.

How does it work?

Well this does depend on the arrangements and protocols that you are required to implement on your site. But, in general terms, a Traka control pod is mounted on both the inside and outside of the controlled, secured entrance, along with a Traka key cabinet (or an intelligent locker) on the inside of the secured access.

On entry...

As the user approaches the building, firstly they must identify them self to the system at a control pod by PIN code, magnetic ID card or by using a fingerprint biometrics reader. The Traka system communicates directly with the organisations existing 3rd party access control database - only authorised users will be recognised and granted access through the outer door into a secure area.

Once in the secure area, the user then approaches the key cabinet (for typical conventional key management) or an intelligent locker (for managing security radios, personal attack alarms, or any other piece of equipment that needs to be issued) and again identifies him/herself. Again, the system will only recognise authorised users, and this time the cabinet or locker door will automatically open and indicate which keys, or what piece of equipment, must be taken by that individual before they can proceed.

As the user proceeds to the inner secure door, they will only be permitted to pass through it if they have taken the appropriate keys or equipment from the Traka system - thus it prevents staff from accessing prison cells, psychiatric wards or secured areas without having their personal preventative equipment with them.

On exit...

The member of staff must identify him or herself at a Traka control pod in order to gain the necessary permission to exit through the innermost secure door. Once in the secured area, they must identify them self again, this time to the Traka system and return whatever keys or equipment that was originally issued to them when they first entered to building. The system will even tell them in which position to return the asset. As the staff member goes to leave through the outer secure door, they will only be permitted to do so if they have returned their keys or equipment - failure to do so, and their exit is prohibited.

Integration with Lenel OnGuard

To find out more about Traka's integration with Lenel OnGuard, please see the Lenel document in the download panel opposite or click here to read more on our software page.

In summary...

Traka solutions ensure that any secure establishment can better enforce its procedures by helping to improve security, reduced risk and safeguard the well-being of its staff.