Coast Bank Safeguards Customer Information with Kantech Access Control System

Coast Bank of Florida prides itself on its dedication to personal attention and security of customers’ data. When they moved their operations center in April 2005, they set out to ensure tighter security controls to protect customers against identity theft and ensure compliance with the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) to prevent the disclosure of clients’ personal information.

Instead of using a cumbersome key-based system as they had in their previous facility, the bank hired InteliTech Systems Integration (ISI) of Largo, Florida to select a more modern solution. ISI chose to install Kantech branded access control software, proximity card readers, and controllers from Tyco Fire & Security, based on the integrator’s long-term success with the product and the system’s scalability and intuitive functionality.

“Kantech products offer enhanced security and are easily scalable. We can handle two doors or thousands of doors without changing the software by simply updating the firmware directly,” said Ron Norton, business partner for InteliTech Systems Integration. “Kantech solutions offer our customers powerful technology at a cost-efficient price point. It’s a great value, combining security and building automation,” added Norton.

Security system criteria

Coast Bank provides corporate and personal banking services to individuals and small to mid-sized businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area. Like all financial institutions, the bank is required to protect the security and confidentiality of customers’ personal information as part of a congressional mandate known as GLBA passed in 2000. They take this duty very seriously. “We have a responsibility to protect our customers’ information,” said Larry Witt, vice president of IT. “For example, in our deposit services area, employees could easily have confidential information on their desks, so we need to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing those areas.”

The bank occupies three floors in a six-story building. Since only employees of the bank would be using the card access system, it was important that the security system be wired separately from the building’s alarm system for the safety of all of the building’s tenants. The bank also needed an integrator with experience working with fire marshals and elevator vendors to ensure smooth installation in the facility’s elevators.

Secure card readers

ISI installed more than 20 Kantech proximity card readers at the entry points of sensitive areas as well as readers at all perimeter doors, including two elevator cabs. The company selected proximity card readers because it finds they are more user-friendly than swipe card systems, which can be inconvenient for users whose cards may eventually become demagnetized.

The cabling installation was not as straightforward as the access control solution. “Multi-floor cabling is always a challenge,” explained Norton. “In addition, because the project occurred after the building was constructed, it was important that we handle the installation with as little disruption to bank employees and tenants as possible. Luckily, the access control products we were installing from Kantech are extremely simple to install, so that balanced the difficulties in cabling and engineering challenges.”

ISI took the project one step further, installing the entire access control system through structured cabling within one rack. They installed the controllers in large cabinets with distributed power supplies and backup equipment for ease of maintenance. The entire system runs on a generator circuit for greater reliability and security. All the equipment is located within a small footprint in the IT room. “The installation was a very pleasant experience,” Witt said. “ISI performed the work during office hours with no impact on our employees. We dealt with many vendors in our operations center build-out. ISI was the most accommodating.”

Approximately 60 bank employees and 50 building tenants have been issued proximity cards. The cards are used to gain entry to public doors after hours, and to access secure areas.

Central access control

Security officials centrally manage all of the door readers using the Kantech EntraPass Corporate Edition software and badging solution. In their previous building, the bank would have to change door locks if an employee was terminated and didn’t return their key. Today, if an employee leaves the company or loses his or her badge, the IT staff can instantly deactivate the proximity card to prevent any potential unauthorized access. With Kantech software in place, the bank can also conduct advanced monitoring with real-time access to information about the status of each door.

“The EntraPass software uses an intuitive, common Windows format so there’s little training needed,” Norton said. Witt agreed: “It’s extremely flexible and user-friendly. If there’s an incident reported we can easily see who opened a door and at what time to ensure managers and building tenants know who has accessed the facility after hours.”

“We’re very pleased with the reliability and flexibility of the Kantech access control system,” Witt said. “We’re better able to protect confidential information from falling into the wrong hands.” Bank officials are now considering integrating time and attendance tracking into the EntraPass software as well.

With the Kantech security system in place, bank executives have a powerful tool for achieving regulatory compliance; while its customers are assured that their personal information is well protected from prying eyes.