How ARIA Property Group Enhanced Office Building Security

Office buildings are not only a hub for business activities, but they also house valuable assets and sensitive information. Lurking beneath the coffee aroma and flickering screens of your office are hidden dangers that can compromise both physical and cybersecurity. Therefore, implementing strong security measures is crucial to protect employees, visitors, and company resources.

In this article, we discuss office building security, common threats faced by office buildings, and the measures that can be taken to secure them. We also delve into the unique security challenges of shared office buildings and how ARIA Property Group managed to overcome them by partnering with Gallagher to implement access control solutions.

What is building security?

Office building security goes beyond simple locks and keys. It encompasses a comprehensive approach to protect your workplace from various threats as well as streamlining building 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.

Common security threats in office buildings

Various forms of security threats exist in office buildings, ranging from opportunistic theft of technology, 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.

Furthermore, 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 and minimize the impact of security breaches. Some of these key security measures include:

• Access control systems
• Video surveillance
• Alarm Systems

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.

How Gallagher helped ARIA Property Group enhance office building security

About ARIA Property Group

ARIA Property Group is a privately held, closed-end commercial property fund operating across South Africa with growing offshore exposure. ARIA adopts a flexible and innovative approach to property investment, allowing them to identify undervalued or underperforming assets, to capitalize on opportunities and to add value.

The challenge

Pier Place is a vibrant multi-tenant office building in the heart of the Cape Town Foreshore, overlooking scenes of the beach, with a slice of South Africa’s famous Table Mountain in view. With 15 floors, ARIA Property Group sees more than 800 office workers, contractors, and visitors, from 14 different companies, going through their doors 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.

When ARIA Property Group was planning an exciting new redevelopment for the 14,000m² tower, Pier Place, 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.

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. In this fast paced and evergrowing city, the busy central location of the building creates additional security concerns, including a need to keep vagrants from entering the property.