The security of a company’s location is paramount in order to conduct day-to-day business safely. In addition to being upsetting for you and your employees, a break-in or damage to your business property can pose a real risk to its continued existence.
Your company might be especially vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and arson, so protecting your company with the proper security measures is essential. There is always the chance that your place of business will be broken into or damaged, but you can minimize this risk by taking precautions. So what can you do to make your company’s building safer?
Choosing the appropriate security solutions to keep your premises safer requires first identifying the specific dangers you face. This article will provide you with 10 key security recommendations that can help you reduce the security risks at your business or organization, whether or not your employees work remotely. Let’s have a look at the tips you can adopt to safeguard your business premises and ensure your employees’ safety-
Analyzing the Risks
The effects of crime on a company are not only financial. Consider the threats facing your business and take preventative action, which will help you save both time and money. Determine where your security is lacking to assess the risks your company might face-
- Is there a controlled access system on the premises? If not, should one be implemented?
- Where might an intruder sneak in? Is it easy to break in at any of these possible entry points?
- What would a robber most likely take if they broke in? How safe are those things?
- How simple would it be for a burglar to flee with stolen goods? How long would it take before an alarm was sounded and someone arrived on the scene?
- How easy is it to start a fire?
Also, investigate the types of criminal activity that have been reported in your neighborhood by-
- Talking to law enforcement authorities and neighboring businesses. Some regions may have issues with vandalism, such as broken windows or graffiti.
- Find out more about your local office watch, pub watch, or club watch’s liaison officers and how you may get involved with self-help schemes like these. Inquire as to whether or not there are any other organizations in the neighborhood that might threaten your safety.
Use a Proper Security Service
If you want to secure your business premises properly, hiring the services of a proper security agency is a must. A good security company will be able to offer you services that will enable you to conduct business on your property safely and ensure that any security disturbances or misconduct won’t interfere with your day-to-day activities. A good security service should be able to provide the following services:
- Checking the present security arrangements and making suggestions to enhance them
- Specifying and installing any additional security measures
- Providing either regular (like once every two hours) or round-the-clock monitoring of your property when it’s unoccupied
To have genuine protection and safety, make sure to choose a proper security service through this measures-
- Verify the security agency’s credentials; without these, any insurance claims might be null and void.
- The security agency should conduct in-depth interviews and background checks on each guard.
- Talk to the on-site manager about the guard’s hours of duty, responsibilities, and required equipment.
Protect the Perimeter of Your Commercial Premises
If you have a wall or fence around your property as an external boundary, check to see if it is strong enough. You may even go the extra mile and install barbed wire on your fence or wall.
Burglars will have difficulty breaking into your home if you hide easy-to-steal items like ladders, tools, and wheelie bins. If your business center is in the middle of a city, installing motion-detection lights at all possible entrances will help notify the public of any intruders.
Install a Monitoring Alarm or Security System
It goes without saying that a reliable alarm system must be installed at your place of business. Several types of alarms are available; if you operate a business, one crucial decision is whether or not to install a monitored security system.
A monitored system is linked to a specialized firm, which will notify a designated person and the police if it goes off, adding a degree of security. Even though many individuals disregard the sound of an alarm or find it bothersome, this could be worthwhile. Ensure your alarm system complies with your insurer’s requirements before setting it up.
Use Motion-Detection Lights and CCTV
Besides installing an alarm system, you can also go for other electronic security equipment to deter burglars or intruders and safeguard your business premises, like-
Security Lighting
Installing motion-detection lights outside your place of business can deter would-be intruders.
CCTV
The mere knowledge that a company has a surveillance system is often enough to deter would-be thieves. And even if they do go ahead and commit the crime, having footage of them doing it will increase the likelihood that the police will be able to apprehend them. Consider the many options for CCTV systems, as there are a lot of factors to consider, such as the number of cameras and whether they are wired or wireless.
Establish Transparent Security Protocols for Building Access
It’s important to limit who can enter your building for business purposes. This is typically done by signing in when entering a building, such as an office. Turnstiles or speed gates allow only authorized employees to enter and exit many buildings. Employees should always show ID when on company property, and anyone acting suspiciously should be questioned.
Determine who’ll lock up the premises at the end of each day. It is possible that you will need to hire additional resources, such as security personnel or a receptionist at the primary access point, to help keep your business property safe.
Secure your Company’s Valuables
Avoid leaving expensive equipment, technologies, or business documents out in the open, and utilize safes if possible. It’s simple to conceal a laptop computer from prying eyes.
Minimize the amount of cash handled on-site as much as possible and provide adequate training for all staff. If your workplace includes company vehicles, it’s also essential to keep track of where the keys are kept. Hide your keys so that opportunistic burglars won’t be able to break in.
Have Plans for Hours When the Building is Vacant
First, make sure your insurance coverage won’t be affected if your business location is going to be empty for an extended period of time, and then take the following measures:
- Use lighting timers to make it look like someone is present and prevent criminals
- Sealing the letterbox from the inside will prevent mail from piling up while the building is unoccupied
- An office party, an industry event, or fun away day may appear to be good reasons to share on social media, but be cautious: by sharing too much, you may be advertising your vacant business premises to criminals.
Keep an Eye Out and Be Ready
It’s easy for any of us to get complacent, but it’s crucial to examine the security measures at your business periodically. You should-
- Make sure your alarm functions correctly; it may be worth investing in professional maintenance.
- Check all of your entry points and replace any lights that are burned out.
- It’s a good idea to network with nearby companies and look out for each other.
Keep Losses to a Minimum
Even if you take every precaution possible, you may still become a crime victim. Should your place of business ever become a target, you may be able to lessen the damage done by taking the following measures-
- Mark your property with a UV pen and keep an inventory of all your possessions, including pictures.
- Immediately after an occurrence, contact the authorities and your insurance company.
- Remember that criminals may return in the weeks after the event, knowing that you have already replaced the stolen items. Increase your level of vigilance and review your security measures.
Final Words
Instead of trying to fix the problems that could result from a security breach, it’s better to prevent them from happening in the first place. Sometimes the security breaches we see could have been avoided if more stringent procedures had been implemented. So, make sure to take proper security measures to secure your business premises and ensure the safety of your employees before anything appalling happens. If you follow these guidelines, you may rest assured that your company’s security has been bolstered and that your business property and employees are safe.
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