Office buildings serve as the epicenter of business operations, safeguarding people, valuable assets, and sensitive data. Beyond the inviting aroma of coffee and the glow of screens, there are underlying risks that threaten both physical and cyber security. Implementing robust security measures is not only critical for protecting employees, visitors, and company assets but also plays a significant role in enhancing the tenant experience.
In this article, we explore office building security, identify common threats, and outline strategies to enhance security. We also delve into the impact of office building security solutions on the tenant experience and showcase how ARIA Property Group partnered with Gallagher to introduce advanced access control solutions to enhance building security.
What is building security?
Office building security goes beyond simply opening doors. It encompasses a comprehensive approach to protect your workplace from various threats as well as streamlining building and business operations.
Why is building security important?
One of the key reasons why office building security is important is the prevention of theft and burglaries. Office buildings are often targeted by criminals due to the presence of valuable equipment, confidential documents, and financial resources. By implementing robust security measures, you can deter potential thieves and minimize the risk of loss.
Building security also goes beyond protection, serving as a tool for operational efficiency and productivity boosts. By integrating security technology to automate tasks and streamline processes, it eliminates manual labor, enhancing operational flow. More importantly, physical security systems play a crucial role in creating a safe and secure work environment. When employees feel secure, they focus more on their tasks, leading to increased concentration and efficiency and contributing to a positive work environment.
Common security threats in office buildings
Various forms of security threats exist in office buildings, ranging from theft of belongings, phishing schemes, to unauthorized entry.
Open doors for deliveries create unsecured entry points that invite unauthorized visitors, while ineffective visitor management solutions allow strangers to roam around the office unchecked.
Additionally, data breaches have become a significant concern for organizations. Unauthorized access to company databases, client information, and intellectual property can have severe consequences.
Office building security plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and visitors. By implementing access control systems, surveillance cameras, and other security measures, you can create a secure environment where individuals feel safe and protected. This not only improves employee morale but also promotes productivity and creates a positive work culture.
How to secure an office building
To ensure the safety and security of your office building, it is essential to implement a comprehensive security strategy that addresses potential risks and threats. By combining multiple security measures, you can create layers of protection that deter criminals, minimize the impact of security breaches, and enhance the employee experience. Some of these key security measures include:
- Access control systems
- Video surveillance
- Alarm Systems
- Mobile technology
Access Control Systems
Access control systems play a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access to office buildings. These systems regulate entry and exit points by requiring individuals to provide proper credentials, such as access cards or biometric identification. By implementing access control systems, you can ensure that only authorized personnel, employees, and visitors can enter the premises.
Surveillance systems for office buildings
Surveillance systems, such as CCTV cameras, are essential for monitoring and recording activities within and around the office building. By strategically placing cameras in key areas, you can deter criminals, identify suspicious behavior, and gather evidence in the event of an incident. Surveillance footage can be invaluable for investigations, employee monitoring, and ensuring compliance with security protocols.
Alarm systems for office buildings
Alarm systems are a vital component of office building security. They provide immediate alerts in case of security breaches, unauthorized access, or other emergencies. When triggered, alarms can alert security personnel, employees, and emergency services, ensuring a swift response to potential threats.
Alarm systems can be integrated with various sensors, such as motion detectors, door/window sensors, and glass break sensors, to detect unauthorized entry or suspicious activities.
Deploying alarm systems in conjunction with other security measures creates a comprehensive security solution that enhances the overall protection of the office building.
Mobile technology
Mobile credentials on smartphones offer a safer, more convenient alternative to traditional keys and ID cards, revolutionizing office security with simplicity and effectiveness. Their adoption facilitates seamless, secure access in the workplace, enhanced by multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security. The system can be encrypted and authenticated through secure protocols, making mobile credentials harder to clone or manipulate.
The ease and familiarity of mobile devices not only make them preferred means of access among tenants but also boost adoption rates, leading to improved compliance with security protocols.
Ensuring a safe and secure workplace
Office building security is an essential part of keeping a business safe, and it can provide businesses with the peace of mind knowing that their premises are protected from potential threats.
With 15 floors, ARIA Property Group sees more than 800 office workers, contractors, and visitors, from 14 different companies, going through the doors of their Pier Place multi-tenant office building each day. ARIA Property Group sought to overcome the unique security challenges of a shared office building with robust access control to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.
Given there can be one to four tenants per floor, with a shared dedicated common space that includes seating, meeting, and breakaway areas, there was a real need to provide managed access. Their goal was to choose an access control solution that provided effortless site management – allowing those with access rights to move freely and preventing those without access rights from entering where they should not. ARIA Property Group decided to partner with Gallagher to deliver secure site management and office building security.
ARIA Property Group’s Gallagher office building security solution is fully scalable so it can grow alongside their requirements. In the future, ARIA Property Group can integrate its CCTV, Visitor Management System, and Building Management System to streamline operations and reduce energy consumption while saving time and money.
Their reputation with their tenants is enhanced as they recognize that ARIA Property Group are taking all possible steps to ensure that their people and assets are protected.
How office building security enhances the tenant experience
Security in office buildings is rapidly evolving beyond traditional measures to adapt to the demands of a new generation of digital-first tenants who place a high value on safety, convenience, and technological innovation.
In an era of changing tenant expectations, integrating advanced technologies such as predictive analytics, biometrics, and digital wallets into security systems is becoming increasingly crucial. These technologies not only enhance tenant safety, they also play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining top talent.
By offering a more secure and innovative environment, property managers can differentiate their buildings in the highly competitive commercial real estate market. As security solutions become more integrated into office buildings, they promise to create a safer, more appealing working environment that meets the modern tenant's expectations for innovation and safety.
Contact our team today to learn more about our office building security solutions, get expert advice, or find out how we can help keep your business running smoothly.