Securing Your Strata
The 7 Essential Access Control Decisions Every Committee Must Make
As an experienced security installer specialising in strata communities, Brave Security has witnessed firsthand the challenges and critical decisions strata committees face when implementing or upgrading access control systems. Making informed choices not only enhances the security of the property but also ensures seamless integration with the community's daily operations. Here are the seven most important decisions a strata committee must consider:
1. Security Level:
Strata committees must determine the desired security level—Low or High. High Security mimics a registered key system, making key duplication difficult and controlled by the Body Corporate. In contrast, Low Security poses risks of unauthorised key copying. On request, Brave Security can provide more detailed information on High/low-security options to facilitate informed choices.
2. Equipment Changes/Upgrades:
Committees can opt for equipment changes, upgrades, and audits for enhanced security. This may include replacing outdated control panels, upgrading readers for encryption and Bluetooth capabilities, adding lift control, and doors, or changing access formats. To avoid your expectations not being met, ask your security provider to conduct a thorough security audit, they can base their upgrade recommendations on, and ask for a transparent quote.
3. Cloud vs. On-site Control:
Strata committees face the decision of managing access control systems through on-site computers or cloud-based platforms. The advantages of Cloud Control are off-site data backup, quicker credential management and enhanced security. Cloud Control ensures reliability and restores capability, even in unforeseen circumstances like fire, flood or malicious damage.
4. Maintenance Agreement:
A security system is like a car; it requires regular maintenance. Discuss a maintenance plan with your security provider that is the best fit for the system and building. Backup batteries should be replaced regularly to avoid malfunction. If you have opted for wireless readers, they operate with batteries that need replacing based on their usage.
5. Back to Base 24/7 Alarm Monitoring:
Considered essential, 24/7 Alarm Monitoring alerts promptly to system tampering, power outages, battery replacements, and other faults. This proactive approach significantly bolsters building security, ensuring quick response and resolution to potential threats.
6. Permissions:
Committees must decide on data retention for user permissions, necessitating collaboration between committee members and OC managers. You need to decide if all residents have access to all areas or restrict access to only certain parts of the building. For example, only units with car parks get access to the car park. You can also restrict times when residents get access to common areas, like BBQ facilities or roof gardens. Ask your security provider to help streamline the data-gathering process and the communication with the residents.
7. Issuing New Credentials:
When upgrading systems, committees need to determine the number and type of credentials required. If new credentials need to be issued, decide how many will be paid by the OC per lot. Some committees decide to tailor it to the sizes of the apartments; like 3 bedroom lots receive 3. Ask your security provider how quickly they can issue new credentials after the installation and if they cancel lost or stolen credentials for free. This allows us to keep the integrity of the system in future.
Brave Security acknowledges the complexity of these decisions and offers to attend Body Corporate Meetings to provide detailed explanations, answer questions, and ensure informed choices align with the security needs of strata communities.