Alarm & Video Surveillance in the Office

A modern, ergonomic office lets staff work more effectively and serves as a company’s business card. But alongside comfort, security matters too: protecting the premises, equipment and funds from theft, and keeping the work process under control. That is why an office alarm and video surveillance are not an optional extra but a basic part of preparing a space for work.

In this guide we look at which security systems an office needs: an intruder alarm, video surveillance and access control. We explain how their types differ, how to choose the right solution, and why it is all best ordered at the renovation stage. This review will be useful for managers who care about the team’s peace of mind and the safety of company assets.

Why an office needs security systems

Attentive managers take security seriously, since both the safety of property and the team’s peace of mind depend on it. A set of security systems solves several tasks at once:

• protects the premises and assets — equipment, money, goods — from possible theft;
• helps control the work process and resolve disputes or conflicts between staff and clients;
• prevents theft of personal belongings and office equipment;
• gives the team and management peace of mind.

It is best to order the installation of security systems at the office renovation stage — that way the cabling and equipment can be integrated neatly into the space without disturbing the finishing.

Intruder alarm: types and choice

A working office alarm protects the premises from possible theft of equipment, funds and goods. By how they operate, intruder alarms come in three types:

• audible — suits retail and warehouse spaces where a guard is present to respond to the signal;
• auto-dial — in the event of an alarm (an intrusion), it places a call or sends an SMS to a pre-set number;
• monitored (central-station) — on unauthorised entry the alarm triggers and staff from a private or state security service come to the site.

It is the monitored alarm that best suits office premises, though it is not the cheapest option. If the surrounding area needs protecting too — parking or the approach to the office — installation will cost more, since more complex outdoor sensors are used.

Video surveillance in the office: analog or digital

Video surveillance helps control the work process, resolve disputes between staff and clients, and avoid theft of personal belongings and equipment. It can be installed either after a renovation or during it — but first the specialists develop a project that accounts for all the nuances of correct, open surveillance.

By equipment type there are:

• analog — the image is sent to a video recorder and a monitor;
• digital (IP) — the video is sent to a server, with the option of watching online.

Digital IP surveillance is more modern and very reliable. Its higher cost compared with analog is justified by innovative surveillance methods. Cameras installed indoors don’t need moisture protection — they work in good lighting and give a clear picture. An excellent option for any office is a dome-housing camera: it is compact and blends discreetly into the interior.

Access control in the office

The third element of complete security is access control. Access control systems decide who can enter which zones of the office and log those events. They usually consist of readers (cards, fobs or a smartphone), electronic locks or turnstiles, controllers and, if needed, biometrics — a fingerprint or facial recognition.

What this gives an office:

• restricted access to server rooms, management offices, storage and other closed zones;
• time-and-attendance tracking based on entry and exit records;
• an event log showing who was on the premises and when.

Access control delivers the most when integrated with video surveillance and the alarm — when all the security systems work as a single complex.

Why security systems are installed during a renovation

An alarm, video surveillance and access control are most convenient to lay during an office renovation. There are several reasons: cable routes and equipment can be hidden in walls and ceilings before finishing, and the security project can be coordinated with the electrics and the layout of the space. This is both cheaper and neater than installing everything over a finished renovation.

Partner Create designs and installs security systems alongside the other engineering networks as part of a single complex of works. They are best planned at the design stage and delivered together with the whole renovation under general contracting. Examples of our work are gathered in the office spaces portfolio.

Office security in brief

• Office security systems are the intruder alarm, video surveillance and access control.
• Alarms can be audible, auto-dial or monitored; the monitored type is optimal for an office.
• Video surveillance is analog or digital (IP); IP is more modern and allows online viewing.
• Indoors, a dome camera without moisture protection works well; outdoors needs more complex sensors.
• Access control restricts entry to zones, tracks time and keeps an event log.
• All systems are best installed during a renovation and integrated into a single complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Secure your office with Partner Create

Quality, timely installation of an alarm, video surveillance and access control ensures productive and safe work for the whole company. Partner Create will design and install the security systems alongside the other engineering networks and take responsibility for the result.

Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.

We also recommend Construction Works in the Office: Types & Stages and  Office Maintenance: What It Includes & Why — security systems need both sound installation and ongoing maintenance.