Caveat Emptor: South Africans rely on private security more than almost any other country, and many are exposing themselves to significant legal and financial risks by using non-compliant security providers (and many do not even know it!).

The Information Regulator is not trying to end estate security processes, but to ensure everybody’s right to privacy and security, forcing estates to prove these systems improve security and that the personal information they collect is managed responsibly.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday estate security, promising faster response times, better situational awareness and more efficient use of resources. It also introduces risk: the integrity of the people using these tools.

What an access control system does in year one is not what you will need it to do in year eight. A system that can evolve protects the value of what you already own; a static one becomes harder and more expensive to sustain.

Most estates have no shortage of guards, cameras and boom gates. The harder questions are: can you see what is happening across the whole estate right now, and do you hear about a problem before a resident does?

Modern estates must manage residents, visitors, contractors, domestic workers, delivery personnel, security staff, and service providers, often across multiple access points and facilities. Traditional systems are increasingly unable to provide the visibility, accountability, and operational efficiency required.

PaxLock Pro2 is suitable for all standard doors and can be installed internally or on externally facing doors. It features a strengthened handle as well as a privacy button.

iVisit is neaMetrics’ visitor and appointment platform. It moves the decision away from the boom: residents and hosts arrange access in advance, from a browser or phone, and the person who arrives is expected rather than explained.