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Sophisticated industry beats downturn and offers numerous challenges

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Intelligent buildings need to incorporate security that is built into the facility to help identify and mitigate risks. This presents a challenging job for physical security professionals who need to come up with solutions to meet clients' diverse security needs.

'Traditional security consultancies provide a security solution that focuses on the one aspect of a security system such as surveillance cameras. We take a holistic risk-driven approach to security for properties and facilities, and try to treat each consultancy as a big package rather than talking about only the physical elements of a certain building. Physical security is about fences, barriers and doors, but a holistic solution involves other elements, such as electronic security devices and supporting procedures, to ensure its effective delivery,' said Mark Hayman, senior security consultant at Arup, a global engineering consultancy.

The modern concept of integrating a security system at the early design stage of a property development brings real benefits to companies and facility owners. According to Mr Hayman, early engagement enables security experts to work with the design team, which comes up with a building or facility that is resilient to threats and risks, with the right security equipment and devices installed such as cameras and barriers. 'With the right physical layout and the design features of the building in the first place, the need for physical security structures and fittings, such as barriers, blockers and doors, can be reduced and optimised,' he said. 'It is a cost issue and about the physical layout. You may want one entry pointing into your key areas, so you can control them much more easily and need only one biometric scanner in one place instead of a pile of them. Security planning incorporated into a layout can make the physical environment of the property much more attractive.'

With local and global clients from business sectors as varied as finance, airports, mix-used property developers, hotels and cultural services, Arup has provided consultation for major security projects in Hong Kong and the region. Mainland projects include the CCTV Tower in Beijing and Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3.

According to Mr Hayman, physical security consultants need to know about different products in the market and suppliers, and the role of each piece of security equipment. And they need to fit into a larger team who are experts in electronic security and procedures.

'It is about providing a holistic strategic solution,' he said. With an expanding market on the mainland and Southeast Asia demanding security services, Mr Hayman sees a need for more experts and consultants in his team.

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