In Venice, high-security access technology protects ancient cultural heritage

Challenge

MUVE is a network of 11 museums spread around the historic centre of Venice and the Venetian Lagoon. It encapsulates one of Italy’s biggest cultural attractions and drawn over two million visitors every year — to more than 700,000 works of art, five specialist libraries, a photographic archive and a warehouse.

The main challenge for any access control system is how to adapt the technology to a setting inside precious historical buildings. Among further requirements for MUVE’s new locking solution, it must:

• Be user-friendly and guarantee appropriate safety and security to MUVE staff, visitors and collections
• Respect the valuable, often delicate structure of museum doors with locks which are up to 300 years old
• Add access control features such as eliminating many physical keys and boosting security with audit capability

Solution

MUVE chose the CLIQ access management solution from ASSA ABLOY. With CLIQ, doors and other openings are locked with a broad range of wireless cylinder types. Site users unlock with their own battery-powered CLIQ key, which is pre-programmed to open authorized doors. The design of a CLIQ cylinder enables concealed installation: MUVE benefits from modern access functionality without changing the appearance of their historic properties.

MUVE’s security teams now operate more efficiently; they no longer manage huge numbers of keys; and they issue individuals with access rights limited to their work tasks and authorized on-site timetable. Audit trails allow administrators to track who went where, and when, if an investigation is needed.

Building users appreciate the convenience of carrying one key which can be updated anytime. “This project in some of the world most precious buildings is yet another example of how ASSA ABLOY solutions can be tailored to meet even the most challenging environment,” says MUVE's Lorenzon Palmisano.

“It is a very functional solution that combines together the highest elements of safety with, of course, our cultural heritage,” adds Lorenzo Palmisano.