By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Shared space, shared risk
Bangalore has one of India’s largest co-working markets, and many startups begin in shared or small offices. Shared space brings particular risks: hundreds of members and guests moving through the same doors, expensive laptops on open desks, multiple companies on the same network, and staff turnover that leaves old access cards active. Security has to be strong without spoiling the open, flexible feel members pay for.
Access control for members
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| RFID cards or tags | Low cost, quick to issue | Cards are shared or not returned; disable promptly |
| Mobile app or QR access | Flexible day passes and members | Phones run out of battery; needs reliable network |
| Face recognition | Fast, no cards to lose | Needs consent and clear privacy policy |
| Time-based access | Day passes, after-hours rules | Must be kept in sync with the booking system |
Visitors and deliveries
- Members pre-register guests through the app; guests get a QR pass or sign in at reception.
- Record visitor name, host and time, and keep a photo where policy allows.
- Use a separate delivery drop point so couriers do not wander through work areas.
- Give the reception desk a view of entrance cameras and a door release.
Where to put cameras — and where not
Cover entrances, reception, corridors, lift lobbies, open desk areas, the pantry and the server or network room. Do not place cameras inside private cabins, phone booths, meeting rooms or toilets: members expect privacy there, and footage of confidential discussions creates risk for the operator. Display signage and publish a short CCTV policy in the member handbook.
CCTV for offices planning guide →Laptop and property theft
- Provide lockers with key, PIN or app locks for members to store laptops overnight.
- Make sure cameras capture faces at exits, not just the backs of heads.
- Encourage cable locks for hot desks during the day.
- Keep after-hours access logged and limited to members with that plan.
Network separation
Members must not see each other’s devices. Use separate SSIDs or VLANs for each private office or team, client isolation on hot-desk Wi-Fi, and a separate network for CCTV and access control. A business firewall with logging helps meet CERT-In expectations for log retention and incident reporting.
Guest Wi-Fi for business →Common mistakes in shared offices
- Access cards of members who left months ago still working.
- One shared Wi-Fi password for all members, printed on the wall.
- Cameras that only see the backs of people leaving with laptops.
- The network rack in an unlocked pantry cupboard.
- No written policy on who can view CCTV footage and when.
Startup offices of 10 to 50 people
- A card or face reader on the main door, with access removed on the employee’s last day.
- Four to eight cameras covering entrance, desks and the network rack.
- A burglar alarm or after-hours camera alerts, since many small offices are empty at night.
- A separate guest Wi-Fi and a business-grade firewall.
Planning with us
We install access control, CCTV and networks for co-working spaces and startup offices, and can integrate member access with your booking platform where it supports it.
Security for offices →Quick answers
Can co-working spaces have CCTV in meeting rooms?+
It is best avoided. Members expect privacy in meeting rooms, cabins and phone booths.
How do co-working spaces manage member access?+
Usually with RFID cards, mobile apps or face recognition linked to the membership system.
How do I stop laptop theft in a shared office?+
Provide lockers, cover exits with cameras that see faces, and log after-hours access.
How long should a co-working space keep CCTV footage?+
Thirty days is a common minimum, and premises covered by the Karnataka Public Safety Act must keep 30 days. Set the period in your CCTV policy.
What happens to access when a member leaves?+
Their card, app or face access should be disabled on their last day, automatically if the access system is linked to the membership platform.
Should each tenant have a separate network?+
Yes. Use separate SSIDs or VLANs and client isolation so members cannot see each other’s devices.