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From the editor’s desk: Sustaining security and sanity

Sustainability is a critical component of almost anything in these days of a tanking economy, boosted by COVID-19, which is given further emphasis by the economy being further hammered by the ‘cure’ for the pandemic which will see the country’s economy (and the world’s) in the toilet for a long time.

In the residential estate market, economic woes are impacting estates of all sizes as residents feel the pain of an economy that’s been stamped on. This will obviously impact budgets for estate operations, which includes the money available to be spent on security.

The lockdown also saw a reduction in crime for a short period, but criminals don’t like to rest and we are already seeing the crime rates rising, with the expectation that the rates will only increase. In addition, increasing political baiting will ensure that criminal and political violence compete for attention, with many political crimes being written off as part of the already obscenely high ‘normal’ levels of crime in South Africa.

So what is an estate to do with less money, more crime and residents that still expect miracles from their security teams (while also complaining about paying minimum wage). In the Residential Estate Security Handbook 2020 we look at the question of sustainability and how estates should go about making sure the basics of security are taken care of.

We also look at access control via biometrics in the days of COVID-19 and the drive to touchless entrance and exit control. Interestingly, one of the people we interviewed pointed out that not all estates are going for popular and costly facial recognition solutions, but are reverting to cards and fobs as an access control mechanism.

Andrew Seldon.

We also take a brief look at the option of remote management and monitoring. Would a remote control room offer the same level of security for a lower monthly or annual cost? Our interviewees highlight a few points to ponder around this question.

Sadly, regular readers of Hi-Tech Security Solutions will know that the poor economy has also impacted their regular monthly security read. The Residential Estate Security Handbook 2020 is therefore smaller than

ever before, but we have made an effort to include as much useful information as possible. You will be able to find more articles and information online, which will also be sent out in the associated news briefs, the first of which will be with you shortly after you receive the handbook. (If you do not receive the news briefs via email and would like to, please let me know at andrew@technews.co.za.)

Please enjoy the Residential Estate Security Handbook 2020 and feel free to let me have any comments or criticisms, as well as suggestions for the next handbook at the same email address as above.

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