More Than a Fence: Why Security is the Hidden Powerhouse of Smart Cities

From real-world deployments like Wyndham City Council to the nuances of integrating physical access with digital infrastructure, Tim Orr, Gallagher Security, highlights how governance-first thinking enables cities to not only protect assets but build community confidence and operational resilience.

They also explore the deeper return on investment in smart security: cultural impact, staff morale, cost savings, and long-term adaptability.Plus, hear how partnerships with trusted integrators like Omega Networks and Gallagher’s closed channel model are redefining what it means to future-proof city systems.

 Key Takeaways:

·       Security as Foundation: Smart cities aren’t just aboutsensors and dashboards without strong access governance and trust, everything else is built on sand.

·       Wyndham City Case Study: A phased, strategic upgrade of an old system led to an 8-month streak of zero break-ins, reduced costs, and restored staff safety.

·       Access as Integration Driver: Properly implemented accesscontrol becomes a policy-driven engine for interoperability with lighting, HVAC, visitor management, and emergency response.

·       Governance-First Design: Building from real-worlddecision-making and departmental needs leads to more resilient, human-centered smart infrastructure.

·       Closed Channel Partnerships: Gallagher works only withcertified integrators like Omega Networks to ensure quality and accountability in complex government environments.

Guest Speaker:

Tim OrrSouth Island Sales Manager, Gallagher Security
Tim is a former weapons engineer and telco consultant, now leading smart, integrated access control solutions across major institutions in New Zealand and beyond.