A guide to selecting the best access control system for PBSA

Several factors need to be considered when determining the best access control system for PBSA and we examine them in this blog post.

Selecting an access control system for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) is a critical long-term decision that impacts security, operational costs, and resident satisfaction. A wise operator should evaluate prospective solutions against key criteria tailored to the high-traffic, high-turnover nature of student living. To that end, we’ve put together a guide to the essential features and capabilities your next PBSA access control system should possess.

However, before we get into the weeds of what to look for when selecting the best access control system for PBSA, let’s recap why you might want it in the first place.  

Why access control?

The critical word in access control is the second one. Standard physical keys can provide access, but they don’t offer the same level of control as a modern smart access system. These are some of the management and flexibility that a digital system brings.

• Reduced costs: Access control offers benefits to students, staff and operators. A keycard or fob can be lost as easily as a physical key, but an access control system makes it simple to revoke access and issue new credentials at the press of a button. It means operators avoid the costs of replacing physical locks and cutting new keys.
• Rapid incident accountability: Smart access systems provide a detailed audit trail with logs of every entry and exit. This data is critical for security teams and law enforcement to quickly and accurately investigate any incident, theft, or anti-social behaviour. It’s also the basis for proactive management tasks such as student wellness checks.
• Centralised management: A cloud-based platform allows operators to manage all access points across an entire property or portfolio from a single dashboard, which is significantly more time-efficient than dealing with physical keys. This is vital for high-turnover periods, allowing instantaneous, remote granting or revocation of access for new and departing students.

What to look for in a smart access system.

• Durable, purpose-built hardware. Doors and locks in a student residence will inevitably be in constant use, so durability is essential. An operator will want to minimise the time spent repairing or replacing them. All NSP Security locks, whether for communal doors, cluster entrances, or individual rooms, are specifically engineered to stand up to the rigours of student life.
• Fire-safety compliance: Our locks are all fully compliant with building and fire safety regulations, such as FD30 and FD60 fire-rating standards. We also have expertise in installing or retrofitting without compromising the fire integrity of the doors.
• Weather and Ingress Protection: Readers and external components must carry an IP rating (e.g., IP65) to ensure they are resistant to dust and moisture, maintaining functionality regardless of location.
• Seamless technology No one should have to think about the technology inside the system: it should be secure and easy to use.
• Support for multiple credential types. NSP Security options include RFID key cards, fobs, and wristbands to provide backup options and to suit all preferences.
• Smartphone access. The ability for a student’s smartphone to act as their secure, encrypted key is now a standard expectation. To that end, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is standardised and power-efficient, is integrated into all NSP Security locks.
• We also offer a lockset that uses near-field communication (NFC). Built into most modern smartphones, it allows for super-fast access without requiring manual launching of an app.
• Enhanced hygiene. In a post-pandemic world, it’s important to think about health concerns. Our no-touch door release sensors on communal doors allow students to exit high-traffic areas with a simple hand wave, contributing to a healthier environment.

The system should also offer benefits for operators and managers. 

• Centralised, networked platform. An access control system must offer a single online dashboard. This enables managers to issue, revoke, or modify thousands of access permissions instantly and remotely, essential for rapid changeovers and emergency responses.
• Granular access scheduling. The solution must allow for sophisticated role-based access. Can you easily share access with friends or family temporarily, or define different access schedules for students, cleaners, maintenance teams, and site contractors, restricting their entry to specific floors or times? You can with the NSP Security system.
• Real-time audit trails: A non-negotiable feature is a detailed, time-stamped log of every entry, exit, and attempted access. This audit trail is crucial for security investigations, dispute resolution, and establishing accountability.
• Duty of care: Operators have a duty of care to their students. The NSP Security platform will automatically monitor access patterns and create an alert when a door has not been opened for a set amount of time, so the operator knows to make a wellness check.
• Scalability and integration: The system must be able to scale effortlessly as your portfolio grows and must offer easy integration with other smart building platforms (e.g., resident apps, CCTV, visitor management, and property management systems). The NSP Security app can also be provided directly by the operator or white labelled with their look, feel and branding.

Deep Sector Experience

When you work with a company, you need to know that they can deliver. NSP Security has been offering access control for the PBSA market for over 20 years – our track record speaks for itself. We also know how to work well with main and M&E contractors to make the process as efficient as possible.

• Long-term support: On top of the durability of our products, we offer responsive, ongoing onsite and remote physical and technical support. Reliability post-installation is crucial for maintaining operational uptime.

This blog post provides a simple snapshot of the key things to look for in a smart access system for PBSA. The market is highly competitive and smart access control is expected by students and offers peace of mind to parents, and without a modern, robust system, operators are at a disadvantage.

Contact Us

Take a look at our website to get more details on our locks and associated products, such as the PIN Pad and you can also read some case studies to learn more about some recent projects.

Ready to go?

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your project – our specialist PBSA team is ready to speak to you.