Abstract:
Most commercial buildings in Nairobi are vulnerable to various forms of insecurity
threats, some as severe as terrorist attacks. Proprietors of these buildings have invested
heavily in latest security techniques and technology. Social and technological dynamics
have resulted in unforeseen security threats that demand constant upgrading of existing
interventions to secure the properties. This study analyzed the current security procedures
in five commercial buildings within Nairobi County and developed a Model Real Estate
Security Management System. The objectives of this study were to: determine the
security procedures used within the five commercial buildings; determine weaknesses
and challenges associated with their current security system; determine the requirements
for the security management system and develop an improved real estate security
management system model. The Study adopted rapid development methodology for
system modeling and development while requirements were gathered and analyzed
qualitatively. The target population comprised of 50 members of staff of the buildings. A
sample of 35 respondents was purposively selected. A web based model security
management system was designed and developed using Unified Modeling Tools to depict
the design plan. The Study findings revealed that existing security procedures are manual
and they are exposed to misplacements and alterations while the systems are not
integrated and do not allow sharing of information. Also, existing security technologies
are expensive and do not meet the expected standards. The system that this study
proposes allows collaboration and sharing of information among the various stakeholders
and real estate agents to enhance security for the buildings and their occupants. The
developed web based security system can be used by any real estate agency, security
agencies and law enforcers, the study recommends integrating the model real estate
security system to the conventional security devices such as alarms detectors, cameras,
e.t.c to positively identify visitors, report crime properly, collaborate, and share
information with other buildings’ management agents at a lower cost. Continuous study
and implementation has been suggested on leveraging latest technologies to enhance
security as new threats keep on emerging.
