Security Systems in a Strata Environment – what to consider and what to look out for

Another key factor in managing security is data management. It is essential to have up-to-date information and contact details for everyone which can be used to track who is in the building and when, where they are allowed to be, and if they are current residents. This allows you to have situational awareness in real-time; but also ensures that you minimise the possibility of unauthorised access. It is very common for access credentials (cards, key fobs, remotes and Bluetooth credentials - among many others) to simply be entered into the system as a “user number” with no identifiable link to a resident. This presents multiple challenges that may start from simple auditing process inefficiencies, i.e... Who has access to what areas? What type of credentials do they have? Do they have multiple types? Do they have access to multiple sites? At the other end of the scale, a poorly managed database can lead to OH&S issues and or liabilities to the Owners Corporation Management provider. For example, old/lost credentials are being used to gain access to the property, and residents have access to areas that they should not be authorised to enter. From a liability perspective, it is extremely important to have accurate records for OH&S purposes. In the event of an emergency such as a fire or other major event, poorly maintained data can lead to significant time delays in communication with residents and/or ascertaining who is physically onsite at any given time. Over and above the obvious safety risks, the legal ramifications of insufficient data management can be catastrophic.

Access to CCTV data such as footage is also vital to ensure the live and recorded video is accessible for monitoring, OH&S applications and incident investigation. User access to the CCTV system should be tightly controlled so that only those with a need to view footage can do so. Not only should access to the system be managed effectively, but there may also be certain cameras on the site that should only be available to specific people. This should be considered when selecting your system, to ensure that adequate control measures are in place and that your installer is aware of best practices when it comes to mitigating the risks involved.

A professional and proficient integrator will always have a clear data collection and management plan as part of their standard practices. When adding, upgrading or installing a new security system, make sure the installer can clearly explain each step in their data management plan before making your choice. It is worth noting that for a data management plan to be effective, the integrator must plan ahead of the installation and have a method of data collection that is minimally invasive (does not require unreasonable work from residents or onsite staff) and covers all required information for the various systems to be installed.

Now that we have seen how important it is to manage your data effectively, jump to part 3 by clicking the link below to see how to use your system as a world-class investigative tool.

Brave Security
9 Hall Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
13.000.THEFT (1300-084-338)
www.bravesecurity.com.au