Access Control in Memphis

Explore information on local safety, access control purchasing tips, and installers in Memphis.

Memphis

Safety rating

21 out of 100

Business safety in Memphis

Property crime, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and shoplifting are among the most common offenses that can disrupt Memphis businesses, according to data published by the Memphis Police Department.

Commercial access control in Memphis

Installing access control in Memphis helps protect your employees, property, and inventory from the break-ins and theft that affect many businesses across Shelby County. A modern cloud-based system adds benefits beyond security, including faster employee onboarding, fewer lost-key incidents, and better visibility into who is in your building at any given hour.

Get matched with an access control installer in Memphis

Our Memphis-based access control installation partners know the buildings, permits, and weather conditions that shape every local project. Reach out and we'll help you find an installer who fits your space and timeline.

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Top benefits of installing access control in Memphis

Enhance security

You gain a vital defense against property crime rates that run well above national averages with a modern Memphis building security system. Your business benefits from a scalable layer of protection that allows you to adapt door rules as your team grows, ensuring your stock, equipment, and personnel stay secure at all times.

Restrict access

You achieve perfect coordination for your workforce across the city's large logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, even with employees moving across multiple shifts. A professional Memphis access control installation enables you to regulate exactly who reaches specific zones, keep contractor visits time-bound, and provide managers with a clear, reliable record of every entry.

Empower employees

Your team enjoys the convenience of mobile access, which eliminates the ongoing cost and hassle of reissuing lost or stolen plastic keycards. You save significant time by sending digital keys to new hires in seconds and using temporary access links for vendors and clients that expire automatically, allowing your Memphis commercial security system to streamline your daily operations.

Safest areas for businesses to operate

Several parts of the Memphis area are known for offering a safer environment alongside a thriving business community. East Memphis remains a top choice for companies, thanks to its concentration of offices, healthcare organizations, and professional services along the Poplar Avenue corridor. Germantown is another popular option, offering a well-established business environment and a strong reputation for safety. For businesses looking to expand into the suburbs, Collierville and Cordova provide growing commercial districts, established retail centers, and a stable setting for long-term growth.

Top business sectors in Memphis

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leading business sectors in the Memphis metro are the following:

Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Finance
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other
Government

Memphis neighborhoods where access control is critical

If your business is located in an area of Memphis with elevated crime rates, strong access control becomes even more important. The neighborhoods below have historically reported higher rates of property and violent crime, and a layered security approach pays off quickly for tenants here:

South Memphis

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    South Memphis neighborhoods, including the Whitehaven corridor, have long reported above-average rates of property crime and non-residential burglary.

Frayser

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    Frayser, in North Memphis, has seen persistent property crime and vehicle theft that particularly affects small retail and service businesses.

Parkway Village

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    Parkway Village has been identified in recent police reporting as a break-in hotspot, where layered access control adds real protection.

Orange Mound

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    Orange Mound, in East-Central Memphis, has historically reported higher rates of both violent and property crime affecting local businesses.

FAQ

  • Yes. Kisi lets employees use their smartphones as secure digital keys with several easy unlock options. Users can tap their phone near the reader, unlock doors hands-free with Motion Sense, or use the Kisi app or Apple Watch. Kisi also supports Employee Badges in Apple Wallet, which can still work even if the phone battery is low.

  • With Kisi’s cloud-based system, administrators can remove access instantly from any phone or laptop. The employee’s card, fob, or mobile credential stops working across all Memphis locations right away. This helps businesses avoid delays and reduces security risks tied to old credentials or physical keys.

  • Kisi’s multi-site dashboard lets you manage all your Memphis properties from one place. You can update schedules, lock doors, and issue credentials across offices, healthcare facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers from any internet-connected device.

  • Smart locks must comply with local fire and life safety codes. In many commercial buildings, fail-safe locks are connected to the fire alarm system and automatically unlock when a fire alarm is triggered or power is lost. Other door types may use fail-secure hardware that remains locked from the outside while still allowing occupants to exit safely. The exact setup depends on the door, building use, and code requirements.

  • Kisi makes temporary access simple. Administrators can create time-limited access links or QR codes and send them by text or email. Contractors, cleaning crews, and delivery vendors only get access during approved times, and their credentials expire automatically after the job is done.