Balancing security with building usability: Six key considerations
Balancing security with the needs of building occupants has always been a key consideration for building owners and managers. But, with evolving technologies and changes to how workplaces are used, it’s perhaps more crucial than ever.
Always keen to collaborate with our trusted partners, we spoke to Sam Yaffie at Antron Security to discuss his experience of designing and installing integrated security and building management systems for high profile buildings, such as 77 Coleman Street and the Whitechapel Building (both in London), among many others.
Here, Sam offers valuable insights into how thoughtful integration of technology, design, and user needs can achieve this balance.
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When undertaking a new project, there are six key areas we consider with clients during the design process to ensure their security needs are met, while also accommodating the diverse needs of building occupants. The first relates to user experience.
Security measures must enhance, rather than hinder, user experience
If a security solution isn’t user-friendly, or you have an overly complicated system in place, those who regularly use it will soon become frustrated. People need to feel safe, but they also need a system that’s intuitive and doesn’t disrupt their day-to-day routine. The last thing you want is someone bypassing security because the system is too cumbersome or confusing to use.
Additionally, security should be aesthetically installed, using discrete design that blends into the building’s environment, minimising negative visual impact. Security doesn’t have to be obvious to be effective. We will always seek to work with architects and building owners to make sure security measures, such as entrance control turnstiles, CCTV cameras and access control panels, are designed in ways that preserve the building’s aesthetics. By balancing functionality with design, security systems can protect without detracting from the overall user experience, creating an environment that feels both safe and welcoming.
Integrated systems bring multiple benefits
Security today involves more than just isolated technologies with one sole purpose. Modern buildings use integrated systems that combine entrance and access control, video surveillance, and building management systems (BMS) such as lighting, lift destination and HVAC along with others. This integrated approach optimises both building performance and user experience.
Integrating smart technologies – such as SaaS workplace productivity tools – with entrance control systems is transforming how businesses approach workplace design and management. Smart technology has become a game-changer, helping businesses boost security, streamline operations, reduce costs, increase productivity, and enhance the overall experience for everyone in the workplace.
In addition, connecting access control with video and intrusion detection, for example, allows for centralised monitoring, enhancing security and operational efficiency. These systems enable real-time responses and remote monitoring, often facilitated by cloud technology. In an emergency, such as a lockdown, integrated systems can ensure coordinated responses across multiple points of access, safeguarding both property and people.
Learn more about integrated systems here: How smart technology is being integrated into entrance and access control
Of course, when smart, integrated systems are monitoring the movements of individuals, privacy must be carefully considered.
Clear communication and privacy builds trust
Clear communication of security protocols helps foster trust among building occupants. At Antron Security, we recommend that user concerns are addressed openly and transparently, ensuring everyone feels secure without being overly monitored. When people know what security measures are in place and understand the reasoning behind them, they feel more at ease. That trust breaks down if they feel like they’re being watched too closely or aren’t informed about how their data is being used.
Protecting occupant privacy while maintaining security and enhancing building performance is paramount. It’s about respecting boundaries. We don’t need to know personal details like how often someone goes to the restroom – that level of detail is unnecessary and invasive. Instead, we focus on anonymising data and tracking patterns that are relevant to security and building usage without intruding on personal privacy.
By anonymising data and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, you can achieve a high level of security while still ensuring that people feel their privacy is intact. When you strike that balance, you create an environment where people feel both safe and respected. This approach not only keeps buildings secure but also enhances the overall trust and satisfaction of its occupants.
Accessibility and inclusivity considerations are key to planning
As well as respecting the privacy of all users, buildings today should also ensure intuitive, equal access for all, as per the Equality Act 2010 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). Accessible features, such as braille panels and entry phones installed at the right height for wheelchair users, are essential.
Ensuring all security measures are compliant is not just a legal obligation but a moral one. I’ve seen instances where building entrances were completely inaccessible to wheelchair users because of something as simple as an entry phone being placed too high. We must consider everyone when designing security systems, ensuring no one is excluded from accessing a building because of poor planning.
Every element, from Braille signage and turnstile width to accessible door mechanisms, must be carefully considered to ensure that security does not become a barrier to any user.
Thinking ahead ensures longevity
As well as accommodating changes to the way workplaces are used, integrated security systems also need to consider technological advancements, shifts in environmental and regulatory requirements, and evolving threats (from protests to cybersecurity risks), to ensure solutions are fit for the future.
Security is never a one-time installation, so we’re not in the business of installing a system and leaving it. It’s about ensuring that it continuously adapts as building and user requirements evolve. Whether that’s due to emerging security threats or changes in the building’s purpose, we encourage clients to think five years ahead. The security solution must be able to grow and adjust alongside predicted changes, so adaptability and scalability are always key considerations.
You might have a system in place today that works well for a commercial office, but what happens when that building becomes a multi-use facility or when new environmental concerns arise? The security system must be able to handle those shifts without requiring a complete overhaul.
In our experience, one way to achieve this is through cloud-based systems that can integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Cloud systems allow for updates and enhancements without the need to rip out old equipment. They provide a level of resilience that’s vital in today’s fast-changing world. With cloud integration, a system can adapt to new technologies and threats with ease, ensuring long-term security and functionality. By leveraging such adaptable solutions, buildings can remain secure and operational, no matter what challenges arise.
Specialised evacuation and lockdown protocols
On the topic of unforeseen challenges, one area for future consideration which we hope is never realised, is the requirement for lockdown capabilities and evacuation protocols tailored to specific risks. Whether dealing with natural disasters, protests, or violent threats, having a versatile and tested response system is crucial.
Lockdown isn’t just an added feature; it’s a necessity. The safety of a building’s occupants is always the top priority, so every system must be adaptable, whether it’s a partial lockdown for localised incidents or a full lockdown in the event of a severe threat.
These protocols aren’t one-size-fits-all but are carefully designed to suit the unique needs of each building. In some situations, it’s about managing evacuation in phases, ensuring that key personnel are moved out of harm’s way first while minimising panic for the rest of the occupants. Serious threats, like an armed intruder or a natural disaster, require a system that can respond instantly and effectively, with minimal disruption to the overall operation of the building.
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There’s a lot to consider when designing and installing an integrated security system. But, as covered by Sam, with the right collaborative approach, security can enhance the safety and experience of building occupants, ensuring that modern spaces remain secure and welcoming for all.
If you’d like to find out more about Antron Security, visit their website: https://www.antronsecurity.co.uk/ or contact Sam Yaffie via email SYaffie@antronsecurity.co.uk or call 01923 855 006.
If you’d like to discuss your entrance control needs, our team is also on hand to help via 020 8890 5550 or info@fastlane-turnstiles.com.
