Securing the future

How technology is transforming Mall Security

When we think about shopping malls, we think about convenience, leisure, and community. But behind the scenes, these bustling public spaces are increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of emergencies from medical incidents and technical malfunctions to severe threats like fire, active shooters, or cyberattacks.

The question is:  are shopping malls and outlet centers truly prepared?

The truth is, traditional security systems are often reactive, siloed, and too slow for today's fast-changing risk landscape. That’s why more and more operators are turning to digital platforms that help detect, manage, and respond to emergencies - in real time.

Let’s explore how technology is redefining what “safe” really means in modern retail environments.

The Problem: Outdated Approaches in a New Risk World

Malls are soft targets with multiple entry points, high visitor turnover, and complex building layouts. During an emergency, thousands of people may need to act quickly, many of whom have no idea what to do. 

Complicating matters further?  Tenants. Each shop may have its own emergency plan or none at all. Coordinating staff, customers, first responders, and external services becomes chaotic without a shared system.

The Shift: From Isolated Tools to Connected Ecosystems

The answer isn’t more tools—it’s smarter systems.

Platforms like EVALARM are built specifically for high-complexity environments like shopping malls. They don’t just send alarms; they connect people, processes, and technology into one intelligent emergency response ecosystem. 

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Multi-channel alerting: Push, SMS, calls, emails - all at once
• Live incident localization: Know exactly where help is needed on the map
• Multilingual alerts: Communicate clearly with everyone
• Escalation/de-escalation protocols: Adjust based on severity
• Role-based access: Only the right people get the right info
• System integrations: Fire alarms, CCTV, building tech, you name it

These aren’t features—they’re lifelines in critical moments.

Let’s talk about what happens when this technology is used.

Case 1 - Digital Screens That Save Lives

At one of Europe’s leading shopping mall operators, digital security is not treated as a standalone emergency solution but as an integral part of daily operations.

Across their shopping centers, digital video walls are used every day for infotainment, tenant communication, weather updates, and promotional content. What makes this setup truly powerful, however, is what happens in the background: these video walls are fully integrated into the EVALARM alarm and emergency communication platform.

From Daily Operations to Emergency Response - Seamlessly

During normal operations, the system supports communication and orientation throughout the center. In the event of an incident such as a fire alarm or evacuation, the same infrastructure automatically switches from infotainment to emergency mode, ensuring clear, immediate, and coordinated communication.

Case 2 - A Medical Emergency Goes Unnoticed

A customer collapsed from a heart attack in a shopping mall. The shop staff called emergency services, but the mall management was not informed. Nobody greeted the ambulance or showed the fastest way in. Valuable time was lost. With EVALARM, a single tap could have notified security, technicians, and responders - simultaneously.

Daily Benefits

It’s not just for emergencies, a digital alarm platform supports daily operations:

• Scheduled inspection rounds with geo-tagged logging
• Push messages to tenants for updates or drills
• Quicl access to rescue plans, contact lists, and emergency docs
• IoT buttons for dicreet in-store panic alerts
• Central dashboards for full situational awareness

It becomes a daily tool, not just a crisis system.

Building a New Standard

Together with the Shopping Places Councils of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the Best Practice Guidelines for Shopping Malls have been developed.

It’s a playbook for future-proof emergency communication built from real-world needs, not just theory.

Why It Matters

At the end of the day, security is trust. And in retail, trust is everything. When your visitors, tenants, and teams know you’re prepared, they feel safer, stay longer, and come back.

The future of mall security is:

✅ Connected
✅ Proactive
✅ People-first

Start building that future today—before the next emergency starts tomorrow.