Tips for Maintaining Visitor Protocols
Any large enterprise receives visitors of all types, including potential hires, contractors, corporate guests, delivery people, or friends and family members of employees. Since some visitors return regularly, while others come once and never return, we’ve got some tips on how to manage these visitor protocols. Regardless of their visitor type or the reason for their visit, all visitors should be registered and checked in efficiently, according to company protocol through a visitor management system.
- Identity Verification
Verifying the visitor’s identity with a valid driver’s license, state ID card or passport increases the security level of the building. The verification process runs an automatic background check on each visitor and alerts security personnel if the visitor has any red flags preventing them from accessing the building, such as a sexual predator conviction. - Validating the Reason
At the registration and check-in point, your visitor management system verifies the guest’s reason for their visit, and whom they are there to see. The employee host should be expecting the individual, or in the case of a package delivery, prepared to accept it. If the business has a “no solicitations” policy, a protocol for uninvited walk-ins should be established and followed. - Access Control
Visitors should be issued a visitor ID badge at check-in and should be required to wear it in a visible area, such as on a lapel or a lanyard. Decide in advance if the visitor ID badge can be used at access control card readers within the facility. Some facilities may offer plastic visitor ID cards, instead of visitor badges containing RFID chips, allowing visitors to scan elevators or doors to gain access to sensitive areas. The ID card should be loaded with the correct access control measures so that visitors aren’t granted access to unauthorized areas. If an escort is required, someone should be on hand when the visitor arrives. - Temporary/Expiring Visitor ID Badges
Issuing temporary or expiring visitor ID badges is a sensible option for a variety of reasons. Since ID badges are highly-visible devices used for identifying visitors at-a-glance, they allow employees and security personnel to easily spot someone on the premises using their ID badge beyond the allotted time. People whose ID badge has expired can be escorted off the premises instead of being left to roam unattended. Also, expiring ID badges prevent re-use; a visitor can’t return with an expired badge and attempt to re-enter without re-registering, and another user cannot gain entrance by re-using the badge either.
If you you would like to learn more about visitor management protocols contact Veristream at 1-888-718-0807 to speak with a representative about our services or schedule a demo.