Smart Solutions for Sacred Spaces: 4 Tips for Installing in Religious Institutions
- ProdataKey
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and all other houses of worship are more than just gathering places–they are cornerstones of their communities. From staff and volunteers to community events and education programs, leaders must coordinate access across a wide variety of users and activities.
In order to help partners navigate the complexities that come with installing access control in religious institutions, ProdataKey (PDK) is excited to share four tips from an access control expert. With the advice shared in this article, PDK partners will be properly equipped to pursue their projects with confidence and expertise.
Ask The Right Questions
David Eubank of A-1 Locksmith, a Texas-based installer, highlights a unique security issue faced by religious institutions: “A major problem with churches is that they’ve always been wide open–but you can’t just have people roaming through the building.” Spaces like churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and more face the pressure to create an environment that is simultaneously secure and welcoming.
In order to strike this unique balance, it’s critical for installers and customers to be on the same page. To get on the same page, David recommends asking your customer the following three questions:
What are we trying to accomplish?
Why are we doing it in the first place?
How do you think the system should work?
“If you tell me what you’re trying to accomplish,” David says, “then we can put access on the doors that are absolutely critical.” Every religious building has unique needs, so asking the right questions and understanding those needs is essential to creating the perfect access control system for your customers.
Set Up Group Rules and Partitions
Many religious buildings cater towards various groups of people who use the space for different purposes. In order to facilitate easy and secure access for these varying needs, David suggests that integrators set up Groups and Partitions for their customers in PDK.io.
“PDK allows for a greater amount of control,” David explains. “For example, the people that come in for a youth meeting only show up on Thursday nights. So their cards only work Sunday, for the weekly service, and Thursday.” By placing members of the youth meeting group into a Group with an access rule programmed specifically for them, church leaders don’t need to worry about people gaining access to the facilities outside of their approved hours.
In addition to different groups of users in a space, David highlights the value of using partitions in religious spaces that contain, or are connected to, schools. “In these cases, we can partition the system off and say the school only needs these eight doors, while the church will have access to everything.” This allows religious organizations to maintain security without encountering unnecessary overlap.
Utilize Audit Logs and Instant Alerts
ProdataKey’s cloud-based access control solutions don’t only guarantee reliable door access in a given space–they also provide enhanced monitoring capabilities. “When it comes to spaces like churches, you’ve got to be able to identify what’s going on around your property. Especially if you have limited security personnel,” David elaborates.
With features like Live Events, Reports, and Instant Alerts, ProdataKey allows system managers to stay up to date on all access events in their space. “For the systems that I’ve installed, the big idea is that if someone comes to an exterior door, the church will have a record of it,” says David. “You’ll never have someone walking into the building without you knowing that they are there.” By providing enhanced visibility and accountability, ProdataKey empowers leaders to better protect their congregations without increasing the workload of staff and volunteers.
Accommodate for System Growth
Flexibility is one of the most valuable aspects of PDK’s access control solution–and it is particularly important in religious spaces. ProdataKey’s simple scalability allows religious institutions to build a security system at their own pace, ensuring that budgets are followed carefully.
“I’ve told a lot of people this: because I can grow, we can start here and then you can spread your money out over two years, for example. Instead of spending the full amount for an entire system in one day, the church can budget it out in smaller amounts over time.”
David Eubank of A-1 Locksmith
With PDK, organizations can expand as their needs evolve–whether that involves securing new facilities, covering more doors, or adapting to changes in how the space is used.
Strengthening Security in Religious Institutions with PDK
Religious institutions are unique in their mission to be both safe and welcoming, and this balance can create a handful of challenges for security integrators. Luckily, by following the tips outlined in this article, you will be able to complete your installs with ease. By asking the right questions, customizing access Groups and Partitions, leveraging PDK’s monitoring capabilities, and planning for growth, you can design systems that support the goals of any religious space.
With ProdataKey’s flexible, cloud-based access control technologies, partners can give faith communities the peace of mind they deserve–guaranteeing that their spaces remain open for worship, community-building, and growth.
