HSBC is planning to install up to 51 new CCTV cameras around its new City headquarters, with 46 to be placed on the exterior. Many of these cameras will feature face detection, loitering detection, and microphones to enhance security.
The extensive security upgrades at HSBC's new headquarters highlight the increasing focus on surveillance and access control in major financial institutions, potentially setting a precedent for other banks and corporate entities.
HSBC is significantly enhancing security measures at its new City of London headquarters, planning to install up to 51 new CCTV cameras. Of these, 46 will be positioned on the exterior of the building at 81 Newgate Street, with an additional five to be placed in public interior areas. The new cameras are equipped with advanced features such as 'face detection,' which triggers an alarm when a face is fully visible, and 'loitering detection,' which alerts security if individuals remain in an area for an extended period. These cameras will also include microphones and enhanced visibility capabilities.
The extensive surveillance system required a separate planning application, as the level of security infrastructure needed was not anticipated in the building's original design when planning applications were initially sought in 2023. The building was formerly occupied by BT.
Beyond the exterior, HSBC's new headquarters will also feature a substantial increase in internal surveillance, with plans for over 1700 cameras, despite the new location being half the size of its current Canary Wharf base. Access to the building will incorporate biometric verification, including full-hand recognition. HSBC has declined to comment on these security developments.