These days, when someone talks about business security, pretty much everyone will assume that they’re referring to cyber security. It seems that the criminals of today are going with the safer method of hacking into a company’s IT infrastructure, rather than risking any more traditional methods of industrial theft or espionage. While cyber security should be a major concern for any business owner, it’s very important not to neglect the physical security of your premises. If you think your commercial property is somewhat exposed, here are some great ways to tighten its security.
Risk Assessment
Like countless other things in business, tightening the security of your premises should always start with a thorough and detailed risk assessment. This should be a methodical way of going through any weak spots there may be to the building. By and large, the best people to ask about this are your staff, particularly the people who are responsible for handling your most valuable assets on the site. They’ll know if anything really needs to be improved. It’s also a good idea to look at some local news channels, and talk to other business owners in the area. Sometimes, there’ll be certain security threats which are far more prominent in a certain area, for example scrap metal theft. This may also shed some light on the areas that need to be prioritized at your company.
Secure Entry Points
The very least a responsible business owner can do for their premises is make sure that all the entry points are as secure as possible. When it comes to an industrial premises, there’s likely to be many different points of entry which a thief or other type of criminal could use to break in. Sure, the building may have had locks on the doors when you first moved your business in. But are they really that secure? If the door is made of a weak material, or the locks are of a simple construction, then they’re not going to do a lot to keep criminals out! Make sure that all your doors and windows are of a decent construction, and that the locks you have on them are the most reliable you can source. There also needs to be a strict security policy at your business for locking everything up at the close of each day, and serious reprimands for people who neglect their duties.
Don’t Forget the Perimeter
Although thieves and burglars are malicious and cowardly, they’re not stupid, and if you have a visibly secure perimeter it can do a lot to scare off opportunistic criminals. It will also serve its given purpose: stopping people from entering your property! There are many different ways you can secure a business premises. Strong, high-quality fencing, combined with security lighting and a visibly secure parking area will do a lot to reduce the chances of a burglar trying their luck. Security guards services conducting regular patrols are also extremely effective for keeping criminals at bay. Just be careful not to overdo this. If your whole premises looks like a prison, it can really put off potential clients and customers!
Keep an Eye on your Staff and Visitors
Obviously, you don’t want to go full-on Big Brother with your workplace. Although this is sure to make the place more secure, it can end up stirring up resentment with your workforce. Having said that, security threats aren’t always external. It may not be a pleasant thought, but there’s a definite possibility that your employees and visitors could be up to some insidious and illegal activity. When you’re conducting a recruitment drive, thorough background checks can uncover some serious black spots in job candidate’s history. A sign-in sign-out system for visitors will also give you a little more peace of mind when it comes to letting in contractors and prospective partners.
Carry Out Regular Checks
Once you follow these steps, your industrial premises will be much more secure than it was previously. However, your work doesn’t stop there! Crime, like business, is constantly evolving. There are always going to be new tactics used by thieves and saboteurs, and new security measures being developed to tackle these. If you want your premises to be as secure as possible, you need to get into the habit of assessing and re-assessing how vulnerable your business is, and what you can do to make things a little more airtight. Don’t leave yourself open through negligence! Set a date for another risk assessment, and read business security journals every now and then.
