The terrorist attacks caused almost every property owner to evaluate security measures. CarrAmerica Realty Corporation started by reaching out to tenants, reviewing security systems and working with local law enforcement to better secure its properties.

However, it was a communication system that CarrAmerica implemented nearly 18 months prior to September 11 that proved itself indispensable on that horrific day.

“We were very lucky,” says Joe Donovan, vice president and director of operations, describing Infocenter, a tenant accessible web site.

“In D.C., the federal government disabled all of the mobile phone circuits because they thought terrorists were using them,” Donovan says. “In addition to mobile phone systems being taken down, the landlines got boxed up quickly, but the Internet stayed up.”

CarrAmerica was able to post critical and updated information on the site to keep tenants informed as the situation developed. “We did find one hole and we’re working now to correct it,” notes Donovan. “We didn’t have tenants’ home e-mail addresses. We are now including that in our Infocenter protocol database so we can communicate with them at their office and home.”

Security Check One of the first red-flag areas with building security was outside deliveries. Many property owners either re-routed deliveries to a central location or put additional security checks in place. Companies like Brookfield Properties Corporation, Equity Office Properties Trust and Vornado Realty Trust that use building management software from Workspeed, Inc. will now be able to pre-authorize deliveries and visitors with Security Desk, a visitor advisory technology that can alleviate long check-ins at guard desks. “What our module allows tenants [with secure passwords] to do is to enter the name of a guest into a computer database that goes to security and the building management office,” explains Aymar De Lencquesaing, president and chief executive officer of Workspeed. “The security and property management folks know who will be arriving in advance. And, most importantly, all that data now is protected should anyone want to go back and check to see who was in the building on any given day.”

Counter-Terrorism Checklist Here is a list of some key steps for counter-terrorism prevention courtesy of Sparta Consulting Corp. • Conduct a threat assessment to see if there are new vulnerabilities in your system • Consider using crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) techniques to re-orient the use of properties to reduce crime opportunity • Utilize architectural landscaping to place greater depth of defense around properties, moving parking to more remote locations • Upgrade to integrated building management information systems that give property managers greater control of properties • Install and/or upgrade closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems as a deterrent mechanism • In critical activity areas, use biometric security devices such as video recognition systems (facial, license plate, and activity recognition)

More Checks or More Tech?

Humans are a very visual species. If we see more security guards in a building we subconsciously feel safer. But while companies have beefed up their security staffs, some property owners may find technology less expensive than hiring additional guards or paying substantial overtime, according to Maureen Ehrenberg, president of Grubb & Ellis ManagementServices Inc.

“I think if companies start looking at capital investment vs. labor investment to beef up security it may make sense to turn to capital investment,” Ehrenberg says. “If they can combine customer relations with security solutions to better operate buildings and assets and tie it all together in one platform, that’s going to be a powerful system.”

Part of the reason technology may be a more viable financial option is the possible escalation of security guard salaries. “There have been some very positive things that have come out of this tragedy. Many people are talking about wages of security guards. We’re looking for stability within those ranks because it’s not in anyone’s best interest to have a high turnover,” Ehrenberg says.

Although called security guards, in the past front-desk personnel have been more greeters than guards. “Now we’re saying to those same people, ‘OK, new role. You’re going to stop people here, check I.D.’s, and turn some away. We’re actually asking them to change their job description in a way,” Ehrenberg says.

Face it “The cornerstone of the new security model is going to be the ability to identify the bad guys, whether criminals or terrorists, and prevent their access. While at the same time identifying the good guys and facilitating their access,” says Dr. Joseph Atick, CEO and chairman of technology provider Visionics Corp. Visionics’ recently launched FaceIt ARGUS technology provides real-time facial identification by capturing faces in streaming video, converting those images into face prints which are checked against a database of scanned photographs of known terrorists/ criminals. “That’s why for counter terrorism FaceIt ARGUS is quite attractive. You just install it in the database and all of a sudden you have a shield against these people,” Atick says. Also, the technology will deny access to anyone who tries to use another person’s access card through facial recognition. “If someone’s badge is lost or stolen its no use to anyone else because FaceIt ARGUS associates the owner’s face with the card."

Keeping Track

Keys to the Kastle Serving more than 1,500 office buildings with 37,000 tenant spaces accounting for more than 1.4 million access cards, Kastle Systems understands the demand for a trustworthy secured access system, says Mark Purcell, vice president of sales and marketing. While security is the utmost concern, a balance has to be made with convenience and ease of use. Kastle’s Global Link technology integrates multiple, centrally managed commercial real estate services through a single database, accessible with a single card. “The key to effective and meaningful access control and security is understanding that the design and installation function is only the first step,” Purcell says. “The most important issue is the second step of ongoing system management that covers the functions programming, operation, administration, monitoring, service/maintenance and changes/upgrades.”

“Following the tragic September 11 events, we have seen a sharp refocus on the need for more accountability of where people are in a building. As well as tracking who came in contact with whom in case of a bio-terrorism response,” says Stephanie Bertschy, director of marketing for Versus Technology, Inc.

Versus Information System (VIS) utilizes a patented network of infrared and radio frequency badges and sensors to identify the current or last known location of a badged person or tagged piece of equipment.

To protect assets, Versus tags are equipped with a tamper-proof switch that, when pulled off, sends an alarm signal to the VIS system and initiates preprogrammed responses (audible alarms, turning on cameras in the area, locking doors, notifying security personnel), says Bertschy. Versus has also developed a program to match assets with personnel. If the system sees Employee A’s laptop entering the lobby area, it will also look to see if Employee A’s personnel badge is in that area. If it is not and only permissions were given for Employee A to take the laptop, the system will send an alert and initiate a preprogrammed response.

To personnel, VIS provides automatic real-time location information on staff, visitors and workers. Badges can be programmed based on security level, thereby permitting access to areas where only a person issued that badge has authority to be.

The badges are also equipped with a call/alert button. “This button can be used to call for assistance, as a panic button, or to open a door or gate to the facility,” Bertschy says. “Our system can assist in the automation of lights, door locks, closed circuit TV and other systems to automatically turn them on or off, thus providing a backbone for the ‘smart building.’”