HSBC expands security at London HQ

A corporate security upgrade at HSBCs London headquarters signals a broader move toward workplace surveillance.

HSBC expands security at London HQ with more cameras and biometric access

HSBC plans a fourfold rise in cameras at its new City of London building, part of a global security strategy. The project would bring the site to more than a thousand cameras, compared with hundreds at the current headquarters in Canary Wharf. The plan also increases biometric readers and allows digital sign‑in using employees’ mobile devices.

Reuters reported that the details came from an internal presentation dated May 2025 by HSBCs protective security team. The move aims to protect staff and assets as the bank expands, but it also raises questions about privacy, data handling, and the potential impact on day‑to‑day work.

The expansion signals a broader trend toward heavy security infrastructure in corporate spaces, raising questions about privacy, data governance, and worker trust.

If many staff carry cameras and biometric readers, what happens to consent, retention, and oversight? Companies should publish clear rules on who can access footage and how long data is kept. Without transparency, the plan could provoke resistance from employees and scrutiny from regulators.

Highlights

Security and privacy must evolve together, not at each other’s expense.