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Security integrates people, technology and process

How do residents of estates and living communities decide how much ­security they need and how much is enough? Hi-Tech Security Solutions asked two ­vendors for their input.

Thinking of how to secure your premises or your estate? There are endless options involving people, technology and processes, and any combination of the three from multiple sellers. The question every person or management committee needs to ask is what security is needed, what is preferable, and most importantly, what is affordable. Once these questions are cleared up, effective decisions can be made to secure life and property as best as possible.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions asked Trellidor and Fidelity for their insight into residential security. What works, what does not? Should we rely more on technology or do we still need human guards at the gate and patrols?

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What should be considered with respect to the human element of estate security?

Charlene Erasmus, Trellidor: Human failures are a very real problem in securing an estate and very difficult to overcome. Failures range from security guards that are persuaded to turn a blind eye to criminals, to homeowners that do not take responsibility for the estate’s security as a whole or the security of their own unit in particular. The perception that these estates are immune to the crime that plagues freestanding homes leads to complacency.

There are many useful methods of keeping criminals out, but nothing deters a criminal more than a good quality physical barrier that he has to break through with a lot of noise and effort, risking discovery, especially in a busy estate. Homeowners need to take charge of their own security within their own estate homes and make sure that every door, window and passageway is secured, preventing criminals from getting inside in the first place.

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: Consideration must be given to ensure that the individual is aware of his/her responsibilities with respect to the specific job function. Selection of personnel is also important, as is the necessary training and expertise within the specific function. Regular refresher training and evaluation is also a must.

Any new software or technology installed must be explained and assessed until the person understands the related processes and functionality. Adherence to procedures and protocols is imperative in the daily operation of any estate.

The human element will always be part of any security at a residential estate.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What technology should be considered?

Charlene Erasmus, Trellidor: Barriers may not appear to require much technology, but poorly constructed barrier products will not do the same job as those that have undergone research and development in terms of materials and construction.

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: This will depend on the client’s needs and the financial implications it could have when technology is considered. Software programs should be considered that manipulate the access and egress onto and off the property that could flag any vehicle/person when captured through either the boom gate or pedestrian turnstile.

Additionally, consider state-of-the-art access control systems linked to an access card linked to individuals residing on property. Then there are beams, anti-dig micro-phonic sensors, Morpho touch fingerprint recognition, infrared cameras and links, covert surveillance and dedicated software for specific needs.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Is it really possible to effectively secure large estates without a large private police force?

Charlene Erasmus, Trellidor: Physical policing, entrance guards and access controls can only make it difficult for criminals to gain entry to an estate, not impossible. For the individual homeowner, perhaps the better question is ‘how do I secure my own home within a large estate?’ The best way of doing this is through high quality physical barriers that take too much time, effort and noise to attempt to break through. The other important element to self-protection is vigilance ie, being constantly aware of potential dangers and making the effort to keep security barriers locked at all times.

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: This will depend on what systems and technology are already in use. If there are only a few in place and the perimeter and access points are not fully secured, then yes, you would need more people to protect these vulnerable points on the estate.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: How do you control access to an estate, which regularly sees multiple visitors in and out?

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: You put systems and procedures in place to guide the access controller through the process with a minimal risk to prevent unwanted elements onto the property. We normally use a system that confirms to the homeowner that the visitor has arrived. This information is programmed into the database and cannot be manipulated by the officer. It is also used in conjunction with facial recognition and number plate verification, with different software packages supporting the speedy access into the estate.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: How does one prevent fires effectively and, should that fail, detect them timeously before people are endangered?

Charlene Erasmus, Trellidor: Roll-Up Serranda has developed a roller shutter that works on a fusible link system. When fire breaks out, the fusible link is activated and the roller shutter descends in a controlled manner, effectively sealing off the area where the fire has broken out.

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: Awareness starts at home through regular drills and evacuation training which could prevent fires. If fires are detected, procedures must be followed to ensure that, a controlled evacuation and roll call is done to ensure all individuals are accounted for by liaising with immediate supervisors of their personnel on duty during the event.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Does intelligent software assist in securing large estates?

Louis Engelbrecht, Fidelity: Most definitely, especially when it could be integrated, to give you the most coverage and assistance, then played back in the event of an incident. Imagine swiping your access card at a reader, a couple of kilometres from your control centre, but the detail of that individual is displayed on a monitor within a second in that control room. Alternatively, manipulate your cameras on the perimeter fence, especially at night so that in specific instances, lights on the fence switch on and off as required. Software has been written to assist specific fields on the security domain to enhance service delivery to the client.

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