Case Study – Cloud Security
MSV Housing Association Cloud Security
Business Challenge
Ajar Technology were engaged to implement a cloud based CCTV solution to a refurbished housing scheme in Manchester. In 2021, MSV Housing Association, responsible for 9000 homes across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, identified a need to review their existing on-premise CCTV systems across managed schemes following challenges around legacy systems, multiple types of solution and damaged or unusable systems.
The Association took the decision to use the newly refurbished scheme as pilot for a Cloud CCTV solution to review their user experience and benefits and in order to see if it could resolve some of the challenges faced across other locations.
Our Approach
For the initial project Ajar Technology were invited to tender for a cloud based solution to recommend a true cloud option with supply and installation of cameras to the new refurbished property. Based on our deployment of cloud based solutions within other Public Sector organisations, we proposed our G-Cloud 12 approved cloud based system.
Our tender bid was successful and we were engaged to deploy the solution at the initial scheme.
Our Solution
Our proposal for a true cloud flexible and scalable solution was successful and we subsequently supplied and installed a 13 camera system with 30 days cloud recording and retention. Our internal teams were responsible for the end-to-end deployment including off site configuration, on-site installation and commissioning.
Since the successful deployment of this initial scheme, Ajar were engaged to review the existing CCTV estate across other schemes, and designed new installations in line with NSI Gold standards for the upgrade of any existing, and installation of new CCTV systems at 29 more schemes comprising more than 300 cameras. We are in the next phase of rolling the solution out to 18 more schemes adding an additional 200+ cameras to the client system.
The schemes are mixed use cases including youth hostels, car parks, sheltered housing, refuges and general residential housing. The aim for this project was to protect the Associations assets, residents and staff in a centralised and innovate way.
All regional neighbourhood teams have been trained in the use of the cloud platform so they can confidently access footage for their schemes, and alongside this we remotely monitor and carry out health checks on the cameras and recordings.
Our services include the full end-to-end project lifecycyle; from the design of the system, to the off-site configuration, on-site installation, commissioning and testing. We provide remote and on-site support and maintenance for this client.
The Benefits
The adoption of a cloud based CCTV solution has provided the Association with a true cloud experience, enabling reliable and secure monitoring of their designated schemes with access to both live and recorded CCTV footage from anywhere with an internet connection. The implementation of the cloud solution has mitigated the cost and complexity of procuring and maintaining a traditional on-premise server based solution, whilst also providing the client with the inherent flexibility and scalability of a cloud platform for additional applications.
The use of mobile data 4G technology avoids any reliance on the Associations and residents corporate network/WAN in its entirety, negating all network bandwidth and network security concerns.
The ease of use and associated budget savings enabled the Association to produce a business case to migrate more schemes to this solution which would cover over 500 cameras. In addition, we are the appointed cloud CCTV provider for the Association and are responsible for the design and install of all new builds and refurbished sites that will be added to the cloud based solution.
