Master Builders Association Queensland
Key Results
Statewide visibility from a single pane of glass for a small ICT team
Audit-ready physical security aligned to ISO 27001, with clean exports of logs and histories
Faster incident response and evidence sharing via secure links—no USBs or on-prem NVRs
Seamless user lifecycle management through Entra (SCIM) provisioning
Mobile-first access (Apple Wallet/NFC, Bluetooth, PIN codes) widely adopted across the organisation
Background
When Master Builders Queensland set out to modernise physical security, the mission was clear: replace fragmented, ageing systems with a platform that could scale across nine sites—and pass ISO 27001 scrutiny without piling work onto a small ICT team.
The journey started unexpectedly: an ICT systems administrator joined a Verkada webinar—lured by a Yeti mug—and left impressed enough to recommend a deeper look. A second nudge came from a peer IT manager exploring vape sensors at a school. Those trusted references kicked off the evaluation.
Mackay became the greenfield template: deploy a fully integrated platform, retire NVRs and wall keypads, and run video, doors, intercom, alarms, and visitor management from one console. As Brisbane and other offices followed, early wins—finding and sharing footage in seconds, unlocking doors remotely, and generating tighter audit trails—made the case to standardise statewide.
According to Adam Griffin, General Manager of ICT & Information Security, “We’re a small IT team. Having one pane of glass for statewide visibility was a real win—and it ticks the ISO 27001 physical security boxes.”
The Challenge
Legacy fobs, keypads, and siloed tools made multi-site oversight difficult
Manual USB exports slowed investigations and evidence sharing
Limited remote access and no clean path to audit evidence
Access rights were spread across systems, creating drift
Why Verkada
Verkada’s hybrid cloud solutions marry onboard storage and edge-based processing with the benefits of the cloud, eliminating the need for NVR and DVR infrastructure and keeping bandwidth light. A single, integrated suite—cameras, access control, intercom, alarms, and guest—gave Master Builders one place to manage events, policies, and evidence.
Delivered in partnership with Generation-e Productivity Solutions, the rollout provided a seamless transition from legacy systems to a unified, cloud-based platform. Working closely with Generation-e, the Master Builders ICT team implemented role-based access and SCIM integration with Entra, turning joiners, movers, and leavers into a single workflow.
Product warranties of up to 10 years highlight the platform’s long-term value, while onboarding support from Verkada guided best-practice configuration—helping the ICT team operate confidently with minimal day-to-day assistance.
“Support was excellent during onboarding; we rarely need it now, but when we do, it’s quick and practical.”
Leveraging the Power of the Platform
Cameras
Staff use Verkada’s AI-powered search to locate footage in seconds and send time-boxed links to managers or police—no USB hand-offs required. Instant notifications via Microsoft Teams or SMS enable rapid response.
Persons of Interest (POI): Images are flagged for proactive notifications, helping the team stay ahead of potential security incidents.
History Player Search: With a single click from the history player, the team can build a chronological timeline of a subject’s sightings across multiple cameras—accelerating investigations and providing a clear view of movement across sites.
Access Control
Staff and executives now use mobile credentials via NFC, Apple Watch, or Bluetooth for touch-free entry. Even the CEO badges in with his watch.
Lift control & zoning: Floor access is restricted to valid credentials, closing audit gaps identified during ISO 27001 reviews.
SCIM with Entra: User onboarding and offboarding occur automatically through Entra, keeping access rights current across all sites.
Remote unlock and tailgating detection: Administrators can unlock doors remotely and review tailgating incidents directly in Command, streamlining daily operations and policy follow-up.
Intercom
Verkada’s video intercom with keypad enables secure, after-hours training with time-bound PINs—no propped doors or shared keys.
Call routing & escalation: If reception misses a call, it cascades to additional receivers (mobile, desk station, or app) to help connect visitors with staff.
Alarms
Staff can arm or disarm alarms directly from the mobile app instead of using wall panels or remembering codes.
Video-verified responses: Linked video provides instant context to triggered alarms, allowing faster, more informed triage.
Workplace (Guest)
Visitors check in via a self-service kiosk, automatically notifying their host and granting temporary access to the appropriate door or lift—streamlining guest management across sites.
“The cost conversation changes once you use it. Your first incident—exporting and sharing footage in seconds—shows why it’s worth it.”
Security & Compliance Outcomes
ISO 27001–ready evidence exports: Door histories, user changes, and event logs compile cleanly for audits.
Policy in action: POI and tailgating alerts help teams act in the moment.
Least-privilege in practice: Floor-restricted lifts, time-bound codes, and role-based access reduce exposure.
“Onboarding/offboarding is one step in Entra. We know access is current without chasing separate systems.”
Looking Ahead
Four of nine offices are live (including one full greenfield site). Master Builders plans to continue standardising statewide over upcoming budget cycles and is evaluating air quality sensors for comms rooms.
Adam’s advice to other organisations? Start small, prove value fast, and don’t fixate on upfront cost. Long-term value, time savings, and audit-readiness compound quickly. And yes, watch the webinar—keep the mug, but stay for the platform.