The UK's largest bank is making its new City headquarters a high-tech security zone. Out of these, 46 will be mounted externally and equipped with face detection capabilities. The system is designed to alert operators when a full face appears in the camera’s field of view. In addition, the cameras will detect people lingering for extended periods and capture sound through built-in microphones.
This level of surveillance required a new planning application since the building, previously occupied by BT, was not originally designed to house HSBC’s global headquarters. Developers acknowledged that the initial 2023 plans didn’t account for the security measures needed for a major financial institution’s base.
Inside, the plan is even more ambitious. According to a Reuters report from last year, the new building will host more than 1,700 indoor cameras — a fourfold increase from the current Canary Wharf site — even though the new office space is smaller.
Biometric access is also being introduced. Employees will likely use hand recognition to gain entry, another layer in a building that’s being transformed into what feels like a high-security zone. The expansion of surveillance comes at a time when public concern about data privacy is growing. HSBC has not commented on the proposals.