A guide for the people responsible for buildings
A security project is more than a camera quotation.
Strata managers and building managers need to balance resident access, common-property requirements, security incidents, cost, existing infrastructure and long-term serviceability.
This guide explains the technology and the decisions behind it. It is designed to help you prepare a committee brief, compare installation proposals, ask better questions and organise a staged upgrade without unnecessarily replacing equipment that still works.
The best system is one that authorised people can operate, maintain and use when an incident actually occurs—not simply the system with the most cameras or the highest resolution.
Prepared by Advance Digital Systems for general information. Approval, legal and technical requirements depend on the building and the proposed works.
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Security planning and site assessment
Plan around the building and its day-to-day operations.
Before choosing equipment, document the problem, the area involved and the people who will be responsible for the system.
Map critical areas
Record entrances, visitor access, garage approaches, shared corridors, lifts, bins, delivery zones, gates, plant rooms and the existing camera network.
Review constraints
Check cabling paths, conduits, risers, equipment cupboards, power, switch capacity, internet access and whether separate buildings can be linked reliably.
Define responsibilities
Identify who approves changes, authorises access, maintains resident credentials, manages recordings, handles incidents and approves contractor attendance.
Translate complaints into measurable outcomes
“We need more cameras” may actually mean “We need a usable image of vehicles entering after hours.” A scoped objective allows an installer to choose suitable camera positioning, lens, lighting, event detection and recording quality without overspending on irrelevant specifications.
Useful preparation: Provide existing system model numbers, a site plan, known incident locations, approximate building/unit counts, access arrangements, available budgets and any committee-approved recording targets.
CCTV system design
Coverage, identification and recording quality are different requirements.
Camera resolution matters, but positioning, lighting, viewing angles, recording settings and whether the subject is close enough are often more important to evidential usefulness.
Where cameras may be considered
Main entry doors and foyers: record movement into shared buildings without unnecessarily viewing inside private lots.
Car park entries and ramps: consider approach direction, headlights, reflective plates and traffic speeds.
Lifts, mailrooms and bin areas: check actual incident patterns and proportionate coverage.
Perimeters and shared walkways: use suitable field of view, night lighting and weather-resistant hardware.
What to ask the installer
Is the goal general observation or identifying a person or vehicle at a defined point?
What does the image look like after dark and in strong backlight?
Can the proposed NVR record all streams at the required resolution and frame rate?
Are cameras weather/vandal-rated where necessary and serviceable without unsafe access?
Panoramic, fisheye and multisensor cameras can cover large areas, but wide views distribute available pixels across a wider scene. If a small face or number plate must be captured, an additional targeted camera may be more suitable. Dewarping, AI analytics and multi-stream support must be checked against the exact recorder or video-management system.
AI-powered video analytics
AI CCTV can make recorded video easier to use.
Modern video analytics can classify objects and automate selected events. It is not automatic identification of people, and it is not a guarantee that incidents will be detected.
People & vehicle detection
Some cameras distinguish people and vehicles from general movement. This can reduce irrelevant alerts caused by changing light, vegetation or weather, although false and missed events remain possible.
Virtual lines & restricted zones
Define a relevant area or crossing direction for an authorised alert, such as a closed service gate or after-hours garage approach. Rules should reflect normal resident and contractor movement.
Forensic video search
On supported cameras, NVRs or management software, object tags and visual attributes can narrow the footage to review. Advanced text-based search may also be available on selected systems; staff must verify results.
Low-light & scene optimisation
Wide dynamic range, infrared illumination, low-light imaging and automated exposure improvements may improve usable images. Colour video at night depends on the model and the lighting present.
Active deterrence
Selected cameras combine lights, speakers and configurable warnings. These functions should only be considered after reviewing nuisance impacts, authority to use them and appropriate time rules.
Edge, NVR & server analytics
AI processing may occur in the camera, recorder or video-management server. Supported functions and simultaneous analytics capacity depend on hardware, firmware and licensing.
Practical strata AI use cases
GARAGE
Vehicle entry review
Classify vehicle events and locate relevant footage around a defined driveway or after-hours entry zone.
SERVICE AREAS
Restricted access
Notify authorised staff when a person crosses a designated line at a plant room or service gate outside approved hours.
INCIDENT REVIEW
Find the right recording
Use event filters to narrow investigation time while maintaining human review and authorised access to stored footage.
CCTV manufacturers and technology options
Technology choices from several leading CCTV manufacturers.
How leading manufacturers describe these capabilities
Advance Digital Systems can assess compatible solutions from multiple manufacturers rather than relying on one product family.
Manufacturer example
Published technology examples
What a manager should verify
Axis
AXIS Object Analytics: people/vehicle classification, virtual lines, area rules and selected counting functions.Compatible camera model, analytics scenarios and VMS event support.
Hikvision
AcuSense: classification and searchable people/vehicle events. Selected ColorVu and Live-Guard cameras add low-light and deterrence options.Camera and NVR series, supported event types and local operation.
Dahua
Selected AI ranges support SMD, AcuPick search, scene enhancement and TiOC-style active deterrence.Actual feature availability, AI channel limits and cross-device compatibility.
TP-Link VIGI
Selected VIGI cameras offer AI human/vehicle classification, line-crossing, intrusion and region-event rules; supported VIGI camera/NVR combinations also provide smart video search.Confirm exact camera, NVR and firmware versions, event and search support, and whether required analytics work across brands.
These are examples, not claims that every product in a brand's range includes every feature. See the manufacturer sources at the end of the guide.
Avoid a common quotation mistake: A 32-channel NVR may record 32 cameras without supporting every AI task simultaneously on all 32. Ask for the number of analytics channels, licence conditions and compatible camera models in writing. ONVIF video compatibility alone does not establish full third-party AI interoperability.
Apartment video intercom systems
Visitor communication should suit the building, not just the brochure.
IP intercom systems
Network-based door stations and apartment monitors can suit new or upgraded infrastructure. Consider network segmentation, PoE and power, apartment device compatibility, resident onboarding and who administers access.
Compatible two-wire retrofit systems
Where extensive rewiring would be disruptive, a suitable two-wire system may offer a practical upgrade path. Cable testing and product compatibility are essential; “two-wire” does not mean any existing pair will work.
Count units, entrances, apartment stations and shared entry points before quoting.
Plan electric strikes, exit buttons, fire-egress arrangements, door hardware and accessibility with relevant specialists.
Decide who manages new residents, lost mobile credentials, contractor access and failed monitors.
Confirm whether mobile-app answering, lift controls or CCTV integration is genuinely supported.
For occupied apartment buildings, include resident appointment arrangements, staged commissioning, temporary access procedures and a documented approach to missed access appointments.
Electronic access control
Manage resident, visitor and contractor entry with clear permissions.
CREDENTIALS
Fobs, cards & mobile access
Issue and revoke individual credentials without changing every door lock. Confirm supported formats and secure administration.
DOORS
Shared doors, gates & lifts
Coordinate readers, electronic locks, controllers and egress requirements rather than treating each door as an isolated device.
OPERATIONS
Permission records
Define who can issue credentials, view event logs, approve temporary access and deactivate departing contractors.
Before installing access control, check which doors require free or compliant emergency exit, whether any existing fire or lift systems are affected, and whether the building's mechanical door condition needs remediation first. Specialist and regulatory review may be necessary.
Networking and multi-building connectivity
Connect security systems reliably across one building or an entire strata complex.
Modern CCTV, video intercoms and access control systems rely on dependable network infrastructure. Advance Digital Systems assesses structured cabling, Power over Ethernet (PoE), fibre optic links, managed switches and outdoor wireless bridges to suit each building's requirements.
CABLING
Structured Ethernet cabling
Plan cable pathways, conduit, equipment cabinets, termination and testing. Network connections need suitable length, protection and labelling to remain maintainable.
POWER
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Compatible cameras, intercom stations and wireless devices may receive power and data over one Ethernet cable. Switch capacity and the total PoE budget must support connected equipment.
BACKBONE
Fibre optic networks
Fibre can connect separate equipment rooms or buildings where the cable route and budget allow, providing a high-capacity link for CCTV and other authorised network systems.
Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless bridges
Where trenching or laying fibre is impractical, compatible outdoor wireless bridges may connect CCTV networks between separate buildings. A suitable design must consider line of sight, interference, signal obstructions, expected throughput, mounting locations and loss of connectivity.
Ubiquiti UniFi and wireless bridging
Ubiquiti offers managed switches, wireless access points and selected UniFi Building Bridge products for suitable point-to-point building connections. Its airMAX and other wireless product families provide additional outdoor link options. Product families differ in management and interoperability, so exact models must be checked before recommending a design.
TP-Link Omada network infrastructure
Selected Omada switches and network management products offer PoE power, VLAN segmentation and centralised administration. Omada networking is distinct from TP-Link VIGI CCTV analytics; support for management and integration functions depends on the selected equipment.
IP-COM outdoor wireless bridges and switches
IP-COM provides outdoor wireless CPE and network switches that may suit inter-building connectivity. Proposed links should be checked for distance, line of sight, environmental conditions, throughput and management functions. Equipment selection should follow a site assessment rather than advertised wireless speed alone.
Centralised recording for multi-building strata complexes
Cameras connected to local PoE switches may use fibre or wireless links to reach a centrally located network video recorder (NVR). This can simplify authorised recording access and some maintenance tasks, but the design must account for core switch, network link, power and recorder failures.
Reliability comes first: A fast advertised link does not guarantee sufficient usable CCTV throughput. Specify video bandwidth, resilience, testing and what happens to recording during an outage.
Cybersecurity and segmentation
Where supported, managed switches may separate CCTV traffic from other building networks using VLANs or other suitable controls. Secure remote access, individual credentials, software updates and a documented network handover remain important.
Communications cabling must be installed by appropriately registered cablers in accordance with applicable ACMA requirements.
Manufacturer references: Ubiquiti bridging · TP-Link Omada · IP-COM outdoor CPE
Recording storage and retention
Specify recording days, not simply hard-drive size.
The required storage capacity changes with camera count, bitrate, continuous versus event-based recording, audio, codec, frame rate and scene activity. If the committee requests a 21-day recording target, the proposal should show the assumptions and validate actual retention after commissioning.
Interactive CCTV storage estimator: Available in the HTML webpage. Size storage from camera count, average bitrate and days retained, then confirm the target during commissioning.
Footage governance
Authorise users by role and enable individual logins.
Define who may search, view, export or disclose recordings.
Keep an incident request and export log.
Document retention settings and secure deletion processes.
Cybersecurity and system administration
Protect CCTV and building systems against unauthorised access.
IP cameras, recorders, access controllers and intercoms are connected devices. Building management needs clear responsibility for accounts, remote access, software updates and the recovery of administrator credentials.
Cybersecurity essentials
Use unique device passwords and MFA where supported.
Keep firmware and management software updated.
Use secure remote access rather than exposing recorders unnecessarily.
Record asset ownership, admin recovery and backup settings at handover.
Document who can watch live images, export recordings, change device settings and manage resident credentials. Review access when contractors or managing agents change. Consider separate network segments and individual accounts where supported.
NSW strata approvals and privacy
Check authority, privacy and resident impact before installation.
Strata cameras, intercom panels, cabling and door hardware may change common property. The correct approval pathway depends on the work, the scheme's by-laws and applicable law.
APPROVALS
Common-property authorisation
Establish who has authority to commission the work and whether a committee or owners corporation resolution, by-law, or other approval is required. Record approved scope, locations and ongoing maintenance responsibility.
PRIVACY
Proportionate camera views
Avoid unnecessary views into private apartments or areas unrelated to the purpose. Adopt reasonable signage, a footage access policy and a procedure for requests and exports.
AUDIO
Separate review of sound recording
NSW's Surveillance Devices Act 2007 regulates listening devices and private conversations. Do not assume that a microphone or two-way-talk function may be used just because the camera supports it.
AI
Govern advanced detection
Decide whether analytics are needed, who receives alerts, how false events are handled and whether features such as face recognition, number-plate analysis or deterrent sirens need further review.
Important: This resource is general technical planning information, not legal advice. Strata approval, privacy legislation, signage, audio permissions and any specific restrictions should be verified for the property before commissioning.
Relevant primary resources include the NSW Government's strata renovation rules, the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 and the ACMA Cabling Provider Rules.
How to compare quotations
Make quotes comparable before choosing the cheapest.
Ask tendering contractors to respond against the same written scope. A clear feature and responsibility schedule is usually more useful than a short price-only equipment list.
CompareWhat should be documentedSite coverageCamera location plan, viewing purpose, blind spots, low-light approach, test criteria and privacy-sensitive views.HardwareExact models, NVR/VMS specification, mounting accessories, PoE switches, storage drives and warranty.AI analyticsRequired feature, device location of processing, channel limits, licences, cross-brand limitations and demonstration.InstallationCabling routes, conduits, patching, cabinet work, access scheduling, disruption and reinstatement.Operating costsCloud or software subscriptions, monitoring, licence renewal, storage expansion and maintenance arrangements.GovernanceAuthorisations, admin accounts, access rules, privacy arrangements, handover records and support responsibility.
Request a staged solution where appropriate: immediate repairs, essential coverage, then optional analytics or wider technology integration. Existing equipment should be tested for re-use rather than assumed either compatible or obsolete.
Testing, handover and maintenance
Security is an ongoing building service.
TEST
Commission properly
Inspect day and night recordings, analytics scenarios, door operation, remote access, network failover assumptions and actual retention.
HAND OVER
Document access
Supply equipment schedules, administrator credentials securely, camera maps, approved user roles, warranty records and incident export steps.
MAINTAIN
Schedule checks
Check recorder and disk health, time synchronisation, cameras, network links, door hardware, firmware, and whether authorised contacts remain current.
A building manager should know what happens after a faulty camera is reported, what the expected response is, and who can obtain footage if the original system administrator leaves. Service levels, monitoring frequency and support exclusions should be clearly agreed rather than implied.
Committee-ready resource
Take the full guide to your next meeting.
Download the PDF version with detailed explanations, an AI capability checklist and quotation comparison prompts.
Our security project process
From first site review to a system people can operate.
01 — ASSESS
Site review
Record risks, existing equipment, building access and management priorities.
02 — DESIGN
Scope and options
Document cameras, AI functionality, doors, connectivity and retention.
03 — APPROVE
Committee decision
Confirm approvals, budget, schedule, privacy considerations and responsibilities.
04 — VERIFY
Install and handover
Test performance, train authorised users and document ongoing support.
Frequently asked questions
Questions strata and building managers often ask.
Is AI CCTV the same as facial recognition?
No. People and vehicle classification, area alerts and footage search do not automatically identify a specific person. Identification functions, if proposed, need separate compatibility and legal review.
Can we keep existing cameras?
Sometimes. Check stream compatibility, camera condition, recording quality and whether the selected NVR/VMS accepts the required AI events and metadata.
Do we need an NVR in every building?
Not necessarily. Central recording may work where connections, bandwidth, power and resilience are sufficient. The design should document what happens during a link failure.
Will AI eliminate false alarms?
No. Well-configured classification and zones can reduce nuisance events, but performance varies with scenes, lighting, weather, mounting and hardware.
Can we request 21 or 30 days of footage?
Yes as a project requirement. The installer should calculate the required capacity, identify assumptions and confirm the recorded retention in actual operation.
Can the committee control who sees CCTV?
Yes. Governance should set authorised roles, secure login practices, footage disclosure procedures and an incident access log based on applicable rules.
Can an older intercom be upgraded without new apartment cables?
Potentially. Some compatible retrofit two-wire systems are designed for this, but cable condition, length, topology and required functions must be inspected.
Can different camera brands work together?
Sometimes for basic live video and recording; advanced analytics, audio, search or active deterrence may not transfer between manufacturers. Verify every required function.
Download the PDF guide
Take the strata & building manager security guide to your next meeting.
Download a printable guide for strata committees, owners corporations and building managers. Use it to prepare a site-review brief, compare CCTV and AI options, assess intercom and access control works, and document required approvals.
The downloadable PDF is the previously prepared 2026 edition; the current webpage also contains the newly added UniFi and IP-COM networking information.
Official references
Official resources and manufacturer information
Useful official and manufacturer resources
For managers who need to verify statements or prepare a committee decision,
these publicly accessible resources provide additional detail. Manufacturer
pages describe capabilities; final performance depends on selected models.
Work with Advance Digital Systems
Planning a security upgrade for a strata complex?
We can review your existing CCTV, intercom, access control and network infrastructure and prepare a practical, appropriately scoped proposal for authorised strata representatives.
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Master Security License: 000110785
Cabler License: A022842