Abloy USA received the award at ISC West 2019 International Security Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas.

The Protec2 Cliq access control system was chosen for the Platinum award as it combines the best parts of electronic and mechanical locking. Based on a rotating disc cylinder, the patented Protec2 ensures mechanical locking, while the electronic Cliq technology enables the flexible management of keys, access rights and the access register.

The Cliq Connect smartphone application makes it possible to update the user’s keys with new access right anytime, anywhere. The app is easy to connect to both new and already existing Protec2 Cliq systems. It is ideal for geographically spread out organisations, and the optional personal PIN code authentication added to the mobile key makes it even more secure.

Cliq technology has been implemented across a significant number of CNI sites, not just in the UK, but globally too. These include Electricity North West Limited, which serves around 5 million people via 57,000 km of overhead lines and underground cables, and more than 34,000 transformers.

Cliq was installed as a solution to control access at its sites, which are spread across urban and remote rural locations.

In the USA, a large utility company in the Midwest also secured its 4,000-plus transmission locations using Cliq, in line with new standards that required physical protection of critical cyber assets.

Aaron Yule, Managing Director of Abloy UK, said: “In the UK, Cliq is already established as a leading access control solution which used in a wide range of sectors to protect critical assets, and this award acknowledges the strengths of Cliq as a modern, industry-leading access control solution to protect national infrastructure.”

Jorma Issakainen, Vice President, International Sales, Abloy Oy, added: “The award is a recognition for our hard and persistent work in developing modern, industry-leading access control solutions together with the Assa Abloy Group.”