The Welsh Assembly Government works to help improve the lives of the three million people living in Wales.
The organisation is responsible for education, health, local government, social care, environment, planning, transport, economic development and agriculture, for an area covering over 8,000 square miles.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) partnership with G4S Technology was established many years ago at their headquarters in Cathays Park, Cardiff.
The site, previously the Welsh Office, is located in a designated conservation area encompassing many distinctive properties, of which some are protected as listed buildings.
Security upgrade
In 2007, the WAG made the decision to tender for the upgrade of their security from an existing hardwired system with magnetic stripe card reader technology, to an integrated access control and CCTV system.
G4S Technology’s proposal to implement a networked Symmetry Security Management System was successful and they were awarded the contract.
The WAG’s main drivers behind the decision to enhance onsite security were the need to:
– Manage security from one centralised control system to reduce duplication of administrative efforts;
– Enhance the safety of employees and in particular, protect the increased number of lone workers;
– Improve visitor access and disabled user convenience;
– Implement a single smart card solution to eradicate the issue of multiple access cards being used by one individual;
– Implement tighter alarm monitoring, especially in high risk areas and areas open to the general public;
– Respond to an increased threat of terrorism posed to government buildings in the UK and encourage building
– users to remain vigilant;
– Expand the number of WAG sites at a later date, to bring their services closer to local communities; and
– Extend functionality and enable future integration with systems, such as Cashless Payments.
G4S Technology’s Symmetry’s Security Management Solution addressed the WAG’s requirements by offering an unrivalled combination of CCTV integrated with access control, encompassing proximity smart card technology.
The Symmetry solution was installed onto the WAG web server, which allows all authorised staff to log directly into the management software to administer the system. The entire Symmetry network is managed centrally by the security department in Cardiff and also utilised by the HR team.
Single smart card
To eliminate the previous issues associated with individuals having multiple access cards for use at the different WAG premises, the new system enabled several thousand employees and contractors to be issued with a single customised smart card.
A mixture of card-only and card plus PIN readers were installed to offer variety of security layers, appropriate to the area.
As part of their Symmetry Security Management software, the WAG selected the additional Visitor Management feature, which allows employees to pre-register visitors.
The module assists the WAG’s reception staff with managing visitor details and improves the efficiency of the check-in procedure.
The Symmetry Threat Level Manager feature was also chosen by the WAG to allow administrators to make multiple instant system alterations at the click of one button in response to an increased level of threat onsite.
In particular, the five predetermined levels have been configured to include the lock down of areas, increased video recording upon an alarm and instant video viewing upon an event. The feature is particularly useful to reduce the vulnerability of WAG sites, with large areas accessible to the general public.
Existing infrastructure utilised
Due to the Symmetry Security Management System’s integration capabilities, the existing infrastructure already in place was utilised as part of the new system, which created significant cost efficiencies for the WAG, according to G4S Technology.
At the larger premises, including Cardiff, existing speed lanes and turnstile gates were integrated with the Symmetry system to provide efficient and secure access to offices.
The WAG required the flexibility of Symmetry’s scalability to allow for future expansion to include additional sites, buildings, doors, cameras, card holders or client PCs.
Since the initial installation at the headquarters in Cardiff, Symmetry has been expanded into several regional offices throughout Wales, including Aberystwyth, Llandudno Junction, Carmarthen, Caernarvon, Newtown and several WAG data centres.
To maintain the efficiency of the security of sites across Wales, the WAG required an extensive service and support structure dedicated to their needs.
As G4S Technology designed, manufactured, installed and maintains the WAG’s security system, a close partnership has been developed to ensure that the system to ensure
that the system is well maintained and operates reliably throughout its life.
