How Access Control Can Support Your Martyn's Law Security Strategy

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more commonly known as Martyn's Law, is changing how many organisations think about security and preparedness.

If your premises fall within the scope of the legislation, you'll likely be reviewing existing procedures, assessing potential vulnerabilities and considering whether your current security measures still stack up. One question that often comes up during that process is whether access control systems have a role to play.

The answer is yes, but it's worth understanding exactly where they fit before assuming they're the whole answer.

Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The legislation is intended to improve preparedness for potential terrorist attacks at certain publicly accessible premises and events across the UK.

The Act introduces a tiered approach, meaning different duties apply depending on the type of premises and the number of people reasonably expected to be present. The implementation period runs for at least 24 months from Royal Assent, meaning the earliest the duties could come into force is spring 2027, though the Government has not yet confirmed an exact commencement date.

For organisations likely to be affected, now is a sensible time to review existing security arrangements and understand how current measures support the wider protective security strategy.

No. The legislation doesn't specify that organisations must install access control, CCTV or any other particular technology.

Instead, it expects organisations in scope to implement measures that are appropriate and proportionate to their premises, how they're used, and the level of risk involved, which will look different from one organisation to the next. Access control may well form part of that picture where it's genuinely appropriate, but it isn't a legal requirement in itself.

Access control alone won't achieve compliance, but it can support several aspects of a wider protective security strategy.

Controlling Access to Restricted Areas

Most publicly accessible buildings have areas that should only be accessible to authorised personnel: plant rooms, control rooms, IT infrastructure, staff offices or service corridors. Electronic access control helps manage who can get into these locations, cutting the likelihood of unauthorised entry while giving far greater oversight of sensitive areas.

Managing Contractors and Temporary Visitors

Many organisations regularly grant access to contractors, maintenance teams and temporary workers. Rather than relying on physical keys, access control lets temporary permissions be issued for specific people, locations and time periods, then removed automatically or manually once no longer needed, reducing the risks that come with lost or duplicated keys.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Electrical switchgear, communications equipment, security control rooms and other essential services can all be protected through controlled access, helping ensure only authorised personnel can get into these areas.

Providing an Audit Trail

Unlike traditional lock-and-key systems, electronic access control records every authorised access event, which is useful for reviewing incidents, investigating security concerns, and understanding how different parts of a building are actually being accessed over time.

Integrating with Other Security Systems

Access control is often at its most effective as part of a wider security setup. Many systems integrate with CCTV, visitor management platforms and intruder alarms, improving visibility across the premises and making security genuinely easier to manage day to day.

Martyn's Law is centred on preparedness, not technology. Depending on which duties apply to particular premises or an event, organisations may also need to think about staff training, emergency procedures, communication plans, risk assessments and incident response arrangements, none of which an access control system can deliver on its own.

Good security here isn't about buying the right hardware; it's about having the planning and procedures in place, with access control supporting that plan rather than substituting for it.

For many organisations, preparing for Martyn's Law is less about purchasing new technology and more about evaluating what's already in place. It's worth asking:

• Are restricted areas appropriately protected?
• Can staff, contractors and visitors be managed effectively?
• Is access to critical infrastructure controlled?
• Do existing security systems work together?
• Does the current approach reflect how the building actually operates today?

Answering these honestly tends to surface where the real gaps are, rather than assuming new technology is automatically the answer.

Martyn's Law has prompted plenty of organisations to review their security arrangements, but good access control delivers value well beyond legislative considerations. Managing authorised access, reducing reliance on physical keys, improving accountability and integrating with wider security systems all help create buildings that are simply easier and safer to run, whether compliance is required or not.

As further statutory guidance is published ahead of commencement, organisations should keep referring to official Home Office, SIA and ProtectUK resources to understand their specific responsibilities and make sure any measures stay proportionate to the risks they actually face.

For a broader look at how access control systems work and what to consider when choosing one, read our guide: Access Control Systems: Choosing, Installing and Integrated Security.