High-rise buildings face security challenges that low-rise properties don't. With hundreds of people moving through daily and multiple entry points like lobbies, car parks, and service doors, a standard security solution just won't work. The vertical layout also complicates emergency responses, making a coordinated strategy essential for protecting property and ensuring tenant peace of mind.
A one-size-fits-all approach isn't enough. Secure high-rise building security systems need a layered strategy that works together seamlessly. Here’s what a coordinated system includes:
I'm Dave Symons, Managing Director at DASH Symons Group. For over 16 years, we've designed and delivered security systems for high-rises across Queensland. We partner with you from consulting and design to installation and ongoing support with our Dash Care Plan (DCP).
Basic security systems glossary:
Securing a high-rise is like protecting a small vertical city. It requires a coordinated effort where each layer of security reinforces the others. From managing visitors to preventing unauthorised access across dozens of floors, every component plays a vital role.
In a high-rise, controlling who goes where is fundamental. High-rise building security systems start at your entry points. We design Access Control Systems to manage the flow of people through your lobby, service doors, and stairwells.
We tailor solutions to your needs, from simple and reliable keycard or fob access to biometric authentication for resident and manager access. Our systems can also streamline visitor management by issuing temporary digital passes to guests' smartphones, creating a secure and accountable log.
A key challenge is managing vertical movement. We use elevator control to restrict floor access based on credentials, which is vital in mixed-use buildings. A resident's card might only grant access to their floor and common amenities, preventing entry to private residences or offices. This is how we help you achieve Secure Building Access.
Video surveillance in a high-rise is about real-time awareness and proactive threat detection, not just recording. We deploy high-resolution CCTV cameras in lobbies, hallways, elevators, and car parks to provide crystal-clear footage for monitoring and evidence.
Our systems can incorporate advanced AI video analytics to detect suspicious activity, like loitering or unauthorised entry, and send immediate alerts. This proactive approach helps you address threats before they escalate, rather than just reviewing footage after an incident.
With a DASH CCTV system, you gain 24/7 remote access to surveillance feeds and data. Property managers can monitor the building from anywhere, investigate incidents as they happen, and ensure peace of mind for everyone. To see how we can tailor a solution for you, Explore our CCTV Systems.
Immediate communication is a vital part of any high-rise security plan. Alarms and intercoms provide an instant link for verifying visitors or signalling an emergency. Our systems can include panic buttons or duress alarms in high-risk locations for an immediate alert.
Modern intercom systems are a critical link between visitors, residents, and management. We install solutions with live video, two-way audio, and mobile app integration. This allows residents to grant access to visitors from their unit or smartphone, even when they aren't home.
For comprehensive protection that keeps your building connected and secure, you can Learn about our Alarm Systems and Discover our Intercom Systems.
High-rise security extends beyond individual units to shared spaces like lobbies, parking garages, gyms, and pools. These areas present unique vulnerabilities if not properly secured.
Parking garages are high-risk areas that we secure with CCTV and automated barriers. LPR technology allows frictionless entry for registered vehicles while flagging suspicious plates. We also secure amenities like gyms and pools with surveillance and access control to prevent misuse.
Our Gate Operation Solutions include a range of automated gates, from sliding and swing gates to high-traffic boom gates. These are integrated with your security system and include essential safety features, ensuring secure and safe vehicle access for residents and visitors.
The best high-rise security comes from bringing all the pieces together. It’s about creating a cohesive system where technology and trained people work as one intelligent unit. This is where smart security systems truly come to life.
The real strength of a security system is in connecting its individual parts—access control, surveillance, alarms, and intercoms—into a cohesive solution. Integration is a tailored process, not a one-size-fits-all product. It gives you greater visibility and control, making your building safer and your job easier.
When your systems communicate, you get faster, smarter responses. For example, an alarm in the car park can automatically display the relevant CCTV feed and alert security. We achieve this by designing solutions with open architecture in mind, using protocols like Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) to connect devices from different manufacturers. While brand-specific limitations can exist, our goal is a unified solution custom to your needs.
This approach allows your security to grow with your building. Adding new cameras or incorporating new technologies like AI analytics becomes much simpler. It's about creating a system that can adapt to your needs, not just installing disconnected hardware. This is what we mean by Integrated Security Solutions and Building Management Integration.
Technology is powerful, but it’s not everything. The most sophisticated systems still need experienced people who can make judgment calls and provide a reassuring presence. Trained security personnel are a great deterrent due to their visible presence, while also de-escalating conflicts and providing customer service.
Investing in robust security is also a smart financial decision. It protects your property, reduces incidents, and increases tenant retention. A secure building is more attractive to buyers and tenants, ultimately increasing its long-term value.
Over 16 years on the Gold Coast, we've learned that proactive security is the most effective. It starts with a thorough risk assessment and continues with ongoing support through our DASH Care Plan (DCP) to keep your system running perfectly. For a deeper dive, Tall Building Security, Resilience & Protective Design is a valuable resource.
We're here to help you build a smarter, safer community. If you're ready to discuss a custom security solution for your high-rise, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us for a consultation.
