2025-12-01
Dr. Pongsak Wonglertkunakorn
What Industries Truly Need Access Control? And Why?
Dr. Pongsak Wonglertkunakorn
- Workplace Consultant
- Ph.D. in Management from National Institute of Development Administration
- M.S. in Computer and Information Science from University of Pennsylvania
- B.Eng. in Computer Engineering from Chulalongkorn University
Access control is no longer a luxury — it has become essential infrastructure for every industry where data, people, or valuable assets exist. Modern organizations face threats not only from external intruders, but also from internal mistakes and unauthorized access.
Industries Where Access Control Is Critical
1. Financial Institutions Banks, insurance companies, and fintechs hold sensitive customer data. A single unauthorized entry into a secure zone — such as the loan processing room or the treasury vault — can result in severe financial and reputational damage.
Example: A regional bank experienced a breach when an internal employee used another staff member’s access card to enter a restricted records room. This incident forced the entire bank to upgrade to contactless biometric systems.
2. Healthcare & Hospitals Patient data is highly sensitive and regulated. Unauthorized access to medical imaging rooms, labs, or patient records can lead to legal consequences.
Example: A visitor accidentally wandered into an X-ray room, photographed images out of curiosity, and unknowingly leaked a patient’s private medical information online.
3. Manufacturing & Warehousing Factories protect high-value machinery, chemical formulas, or prototypes. Warehouses deal with inventory that must be tracked precisely.
4. Modern Office Buildings / Smart Offices Tenants now demand controlled access at every floor or zone. A building with no access control simply cannot compete.
5. Schools & Educational Institutions Student safety is paramount. Access control helps ensure that only authorized guardians, staff, and approved visitors enter school facilities.
Conclusion
If a business handles valuable people, data, or property — it needs access control. This is no longer about locking a door; it’s about protecting the backbone of organizational operations.