Small business security tips.
We have stated in previous articles about the importance of securing your commercial concerns. To avoid treading over old ground,
Locksmith Essex has created tips to point you in the right direction.
Securing a commercial premises is a lot like securing a residential one. You take a holistic approach to security to create a deterrent, so that an unwanted intruder sizes up the property, decides it is too much of a risk and goes for a softer target. This is the nature of security.
Many commercial properties are on estates where they are often secluded and isolated from residential areas. This obviously poses its own security problems, as intruders can work in isolation too. To this end, it is probably a good idea to ensure that it is difficult for intruders to access higher parts of the premises, by ensuring there are no objects lying around that can be used to climb on. Naturally, any windows should be secured, and providing a deterrent against people climbing on the roof is another option for consideration.
If you employ staff, and you have given them the responsibility of locking or unlocking the premises, you have effectively given the staff member the ability to gain entry to the premises. Though the purpose of this article is not to deride good and trusted people, this is still an element that you should consider. People in the main, are good and honest, and many will not steal from you, but the saying “you never can tell”, has proved prevalent in the past.
You may want to consider using a master key system, whereby only necessary doors can be locked and unlocked by people other than yourself. This means that elements that are crucial to the business, and important files and paperwork, are only accessible by you.
It is worth noting however, that most “inside jobs” are from disgruntled employees, so a good way and arguably a more effective way of avoiding “inside jobs”, is to cultivate good industrial relations.
You have worked hard to build up your business, a theft of something crucial could be extremely damaging.
Vehicle security is something to think about as well. Staff that has access to company vehicles can not so much steal them, but can use them for other work outside of business hours. Though this is something that some companies acknowledge as being inevitable, and helps to foster good industrial relations, the vehicle will be more prone to theft or vandalism if it is parked outside a house rather than at a commercial premises. Fitting the vehicle with immobilisers, alarms, and physical barriers could be an option to avoid theft.
Outside space should be well lit and like security lights in the home, work best if they provide constant low level illumination rather than a powerful spotlight, which casts shadows. Height is an important factor for lighting, as the higher it is from the ground, the harder it is for an intruder to disable. Lighting has an additional benefit of giving the illusion there is somebody around, even if the premises is closed for the night. Leaving a light on in the premises is also a good way of providing that illusion. Ensure the light that is left on does not show anything expensive. Intruders maybe willing to take more risk if there is something expensive at the end of it.
If possible, the outside space should also be secured. A lockable gate for example, is another deterrent against vehicle crime.
CCTV and alarms are considered essential by many in the security business. Good systems are getting cheaper all the time, and they are fairly easy to install. Even a visible camera that is not connected, can add to the deterrent factor.
If it is possible, try not to advertise what valuables you may have on the premises to the outside world. Obviously, this is impossible in a shop as that is the nature of the business. Businesses that do not have much direct contact with the public however, have no need to put expensive equipment where it can be glimpsed by a passer-by. IT equipment can be in a back office, and other expensive items can be kept out of sight or hidden until needed.
Physical barriers such as shutters are a good deterrent and a good way of securing premises. Many of these are padlock secured, so make sure you invest in a good quality padlock that is more resistant to damage.
Should the property be left for any period of time, try to ensure that you provide the illusion that the business is occupied. Some ways in which to do this, are lights switching on and off at certain times of the day, together with mail not being visible to the outside world, as this prevents a would be intruder ascertaining that the build up of mail means that the building is empty.
It is good idea not to tell too many people about what is contained on your premises as word gets around. The less interest in it the better. So ensure you only tell people on a need to know basis.
Common sense counts for a lot with all types of security, and so naturally, good policies of ensuring the premises is secured when it is empty, help to reinforce the overall security of the building.
By following
Locksmith London tips, should make your commercial premises more secure.