Abloy UK provides access control solution for major water supplier in the North of England

Abloy UK has recently supplied its PROTEC2 CLIQ access management solution to a leading water supplier in the North of England to safeguard facilities and assets, increase operational efficiency, and improve overall service resilience.

The water supplier serves 5.7 million people and 140,000 businesses and has historically used Abloy mechanical locks across its estate for decades. Its infrastructure includes high risk sites such as service reservoirs, which are typically located at elevated geographical points, as well as water treatment works, sample taps, and pumping kiosks. Each of these sites play an important role of delivering clean and safe water to homes and businesses.

As a highly regulated industry, the water sector must meet strict security requirements set by bodies such as DEFRA, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), and the NPSA. One of the biggest security concerns for the company was ensuring that only authorised personnel could access critical sites while preventing unauthorised key copying.

Traditional mechanical key systems, while offering robust protection, eventually pose a risk if keys are lost or stolen. High security key systems should use international patents to protect key blanks from uncontrolled copying and distribution, as replacing locks across such a vast network would be costly and operationally disruptive.

PROTEC2 CLIQ provided the ideal solution by integrating a patented mechanical system with an electronic access control platform. This ensured that even the mechanical element of the key was protected against copying, while enabling precise, real-time control over who could access each site.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity also presented an increasing risk, with concerns that individuals could attempt to manipulate the water supply by accessing control systems through physical entry points. If someone were to gain unauthorised access to a site, they could interfere with operations by tampering with valves, altering chemical dosing, or disrupting supplies.

PROTEC2 CLIQ mitigated this risk by requiring multi-factor authentication as both the physical key and electronic authorisation were needed to gain entry. The system also provides a full audit trail, allowing the company to monitor and track every access attempt in real-time, further strengthening security.

Financial and reputational risks associated with a security breach were another key concern. Failure to protect critical assets could result in heavy fines, operational shutdowns, and loss of public trust. In an industry where service continuity is crucial, any disruption to water supply would require the company to provide alternative water sources, creating logistical and financial strain.

PROTEC2 CLIQ addressed this issue by offering a highly secure yet flexible access control system that not only protected infrastructure, but also improved operational efficiency, reducing costs associated with lost keys, and unnecessary site visits.

‘Safeguard essential services’

Steve Wintle, Head of Critical Infrastructure at Abloy UK, says: “Security risks in the water industry are constantly evolving, from physical threats to cyber risks that could have devastating consequences for both operations and public safety. By implementing PROTEC2 CLIQ, this major water supplier now has a future-proof solution that protects its critical infrastructure while also improving operational efficiency.

“The combination of patented mechanical security with electronic access control ensures that every key is fully protected, access can be managed remotely, and compliance with industry regulations is maintained. At Abloy UK, we provide the highest levels of security to safeguard essential services that millions of people rely on every day.”

A spokesperson from the water supplier comments: “Working with Abloy UK in delivering this enhanced access management system has ensured that we have complete control of what areas colleagues can access. We now also have full managerial oversight of the entire system, making it easier for any counter compromise action to be carried out if required.”

For further information on products and services available from Abloy UK, click the link, email [email protected] or call 01902 364 500.

Contact:

Abloy UK,
Portobello Works,
School Street,
Willenhall,
West Midlands,
WV13 3PW

Phone: 01902 364500
Fax: 01902 364501

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