Four Preventive Measures to Help Strengthen Your Premises Security

Organizations should do everything they can to help protect themselves from burglary, vandalism and other illegal activities whenever possible. Securing your location is essential to protecting your employees, assets and customers. Below are four preventive measures your business can take. 

1. Conduct a Quarterly Security Assessment

To better understand where your organization currently stands, it’s important to conduct an initial security assessment. When conducting this assessment, an organization should identify potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities. This assessment should cover the interior and exterior of your building location and any parking lots. It’s important to note that if you are located near an adjacent property, your organization should address potential concerns related to the business type. Examples can include jewelry shops, car lots and grocery stores.

You should also consider storage within your organization. High-value equipment should be stored in locked cages, which can be secured via a lock or badge access. While completing these assessments, it's important to think about unique real-life events that could impact your organization.

You can take the following actions to help reduce your organization’s risk of theft:

• Keep the minimum cash needed on hand.
• Empty cash registers at night and leave empty drawers in plain view.
• Store items in interior walls and rooms.
• Lock up high-value items with additional security.
• Install a safe or an alarm system that could be used to contact the authorities.
• Partner with local authorities and businesses to stay up to date on the current situations in your area.
• Reduce cash transactions. Consider only accepting credit cards or touchless payments.

2. Control Site Access

Your organization should ensure that access to certain areas of your building are controlled. This can include access to storage rooms, employee areas and high-value storage cases.

Access can be controlled using various options, including keycards, biometric scanners and two-factor authentication systems.

Two-factor authentication systems can log access at each location and monitor those coming and going from each area. Brands like HID Global and Genetec provide end-to-end physical access control systems. These systems should be modified, and they should limit after-hours access. Employees should be required to provide dual authentication or additional access requirements for after-hours access.

3. Install Security Systems

Choosing the right security system can depend on the needs of your organization.

Installing exterior cameras should be considered the minimum to monitor activity. Many cameras allow for motion detection and night vision. A third-party provider can monitor security systems and should include services such as fire alarms, carbon monoxide monitoring, broken glass detection, and a call center to contact the authorities if there is unauthorized access to your business.

Interior security should include cameras, which can help monitor employees and patrons who may enter your company. Cameras should be placed in locations that allow for large viewing spaces and be difficult to access from the ground. Cameras should also be located in areas where crime may be likely to occur.

Many third parties can provide a comprehensive evaluation and install security systems across your location. When using third-party providers, certificates of insurance and contracts should be on file.

4. Review and Improve Your Assessment

Once your assessment has been completed, your organization should work to consider hazards that are beyond the scope of your organization. This could include information such as an increase in crime in your local area, current trends within the safety and security atmosphere, and security concerns within your organization.

Upon completion, your organization can take steps to help address concerns and mitigate or control the hazards discovered. 

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