Section 11 • Security
as important of a factor as equipment functionality. Creating a positive customer experience from the moment your ten- ants step or drive onto your property will leave them feeling reassured that they’re doing business with a company that prioritizes safety.
Access Control System Today, most facilities feature some version of an access con- trol system to control tenants’ flow throughout a property. These systems are comprised of different components like access control-specific hardware and software, keypads, door security devices, and mobile apps. A truly integrated system gives operators more convenience, control, and vis- ibility when it comes to their security footprint by leveraging these separate pieces as part of a single platform. For exam- ple, operators can easily track site activity, identify odd-user patterns, and track metrics like the percentage of monthly site visitors. See Chart 11.1 on page 107.
Cloud-based access control solutions are quickly becom-
ing the gold standard due to their enhanced features and functionality, including accessibility from any location on any
device, automated data backups, and advanced analytics. This is especially true as operations look to standardize a sys- tem across a portfolio. By leveraging integrated technology at each site within a portfolio, operators can gain efficiencies from increased product knowledge, ease of implementing best practices, and improved troubleshooting.
Video Surveillance Video surveillance can take lots of different forms, such as traditional IP cameras, pinhole cameras, video monitoring services, and artificial intelligence platforms. These other technologies can serve as a preventative measure, discourag- ing unwanted attention, and a proactive layer of protection by enabling real-time responses to break-ins or natural disas- ters such as flood or fire. Over 75 percent of operators report that video is of high importance in their overall strategy.
A security integrator will help you customize a mix that is
right for your facility, but most operations will leverage video at entry and exit points, in high-traffic areas, and around the perimeter. Additional layers can include:
• Full facility video coverage that monitors every unit
• License plate readers and/or integrated pinhole cameras that can record unique entries and exits to the facility
• Zone control that alerts operators of unauthorized access to restricted areas (if a tenant enters a section of the building that does not correspond their access code and unit)
Unit-Level Security The focus of self-storage security is often on the facility as a whole, but increasing attention is being placed on unit-level solutions, including electronic smart locks and door alarms.
Electronic smart locks provide an additional security lay-
er that reinforces a traditional tenant lock while offering an individualized monitoring solution. These locks are highly secure, quick to install, and easy to maintain. Smart locks and door alarms integrate with the facility’s access control system and allow tenant access via a mobile app or keypad.
These premium functionalities give operators greater
protection against break-ins from individuals who have by- passed perimeter security and can be leveraged in marketing materials to highlight a facility’s security commitment.
Site Managers And Employees More and more operations are exploring alternative staff- ing models like unmanned or semi-manned facilities, but employees remain crucial in creating a safe facility; a system and strategy are only as good as the people who maintain
108 Self-Storage Almanac 2021
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