One of the biggest draws of estate living is the security it offers residents and their families. In today’s world, a guard at the gate just isn’t enough. Estates need smart, connected security systems that can anticipate risks, act fast, and adapt as threats evolve.
To give you an insider’s perspective, we asked Marius Bezuidenhout, our Head of Security to answer some of the most common questions about estate security. Marius oversees the design, implementation, and management of estate security solutions, focusing on proactive and event-based monitoring to prevent incidents and optimise staff efficiency.
1. What are some of the most common security challenges faced by estate?
Estate security is always evolving, and challenges can crop up anywhere and at any time. Common issues include unauthorised access, perimeter breaches, theft, vandalism, and disjointed monitoring systems. Many estates also struggle with making sure staff are in the right place at the right time, often reacting to incidents instead of preventing them. The key is staying one step ahead.
2. What solutions do CCTV Technologies have to combat these challenges?
We provide a range of security solutions that combine high-definition CCTV, AI-driven analytics, and event-based alerts. Our systems not only detect unusual activity and trigger real-time responses but also include face tracking technology to monitor staff presence and efficiency, ensuring personnel are in the right place at the right time.
3. What makes up CCTV Technologies’ estate security offering?
Our aim is to keep residents, staff, and property safe, and we achieve this by combining proactive, connected security solutions. This includes;
Proactive CCTV Monitoring: High definition cameras with AI analytics spot unusual behaviour and send instant alerts to stop incidents before they escalate.
Face Tracking for Staff: We track staff movement in real-time to make sure everyone is in the right place, boosting efficiency and accountability.
Event-Based Access Control: Facial recognition, keycards, and biometrics alert us to any unauthorised access attempts, keeping your estate secure.
Perimeter Security: Motion sensors and intrusion detection continuously watch estate boundaries, adding an extra layer of protection.
Visitor and Contractor Management: Automated kiosks and pre-authorisation systems ensure only approved visitors and contractors are permitted onsite.
Central Monitoring: We have a 24/7 control room that keeps an eye on everything, so we can respond immediately to any alerts.
System Integration: All components, including cameras, access control, visitor management, and perimeter security, work together on one platform for smooth, real-time monitoring.
4. Can you give an example of a customised solution?
One estate in the Western Cape had multiple entry points and high traffic so we implemented AI-driven CCTV with face tracking and event-based access control. This allowed seamless entry for residents and staff, while contractors were pre-authorised and monitored. Our security teams received real-time alerts for any unusual activity, and face tracking ensured staff were deployed efficiently. This helped improve both security and operational performance.
5. Can CCTV Technologies integrate with existing infrastructure on an estate?
Yes, our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with systems already in place at an estate. Sometimes, older CCTV networks or access control systems need to be upgraded to support proactive monitoring, event-based alerts, and face tracking. However this is quicker and less costly than having to fully replace the system altogether.
6. What ongoing maintenance and monitoring services are required?
Even the best system needs regular care to work effectively/ At CCTV Technologies, we provide continuous system health checks, software and firmware updates, and hardware maintenance. Estates can also opt for 24/7 event-driven monitoring, where our control room responds to incidents in real-time while tracking staff deployment and efficiency.
7. How do you ensure your systems are up-to-date?
Proactive and event-based monitoring relies on cutting-edge technology. We ensure our systems are updated with the latest AI analytics, cloud monitoring, and face tracking tools to provide the highest level of security and operational oversight.
8. Lastly, what advice do you have for an estate manager considering a security upgrade?
My top tip is to always focus on prevention and efficiency. Start by identifying weak spots in your estate’s security and implement a system that can tackle them whilst working smoothly with any current set-up that you have. It is important to prioritise systems that provide real-time alerts, event-based monitoring, and staff tracking. Remember, security solutions are crucial and so allocate enough time for planning, testing, and training. You want to choose a scalable solution that can grow with the needs of your estate.