As a business owner, you’re constantly plagued with the stresses of keeping things running smoothly. You have to pay attention to sales, costs, employees, insurance, taxes, everything. One thing many business owners fail to think about, however, is security.
What physical security measures do you have in place at your business right now?
Physical security is vital for the safety and peace of mind of your employees and your customers or clients. It’s also a key element to protecting your goods and your property. Without it, your business is vulnerable.
Fortunately, boosting your business’s physical security is simpler (and cheaper) than you might think. Keep reading for a quick look at the various steps you can take to make your business more safe and secure.
1. Install an Alarm System
Unless you run a 24-hour business that’s constantly staffed, there are going to be times when no one is present at the location. Nights, weekends, and holidays are all prime time to criminals looking to steal inventory, tools, and electronics or vandalize property.
However, you can substantially improve your physical security by installing an alarm system. You should have sensors on all the doors and windows. It should also connect seamlessly to your smartphone so that you can monitor the alarms at all times and be notified in the event that one or more are triggered.
You can also get third-party monitored alarm systems that provide an extra layer of support (and peace of mind). The monitoring company is on staff 24 hours a day and will contact local authorities in the event that an alarm is triggered.
Visit this website for a closer look at alarm security devices.
2. Improve the Lighting
To boost your business’s physical security, you can also look to improve your lighting. If you have smart devices, you will also be able to turn lights on and off through your smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.
This can be especially handy during off-hours if one of your motion sensors picks up activity outside your building. You can remotely turn lights on and off to make it appear as though the building is staffed.
Additionally, you should consider installing motion-activated lights around the perimeter of the building. Though they’re obviously motion activated, they will still deter anyone entering with poor intentions.
3. Install Visible Security Cameras
A vital component of increasing your business’s physical security is installing visible security cameras. Remember, you’re not trying to catch people in the act, you’re trying to deter them from doing anything in the first place. That’s why visibility is key.
People tend to avoid committing crimes if they know they’re being watched, especially by cameras that are actively recording the environment. Once again, you’ll be able to monitor these devices remotely.
Finally, as an added bonus, having cameras installed in the workplace, even as a means of security, often leads to more productive employees. People act differently when they’re being watched. It may also prevent employee theft, which isn’t as uncommon as you’d think.
4. Hire Security Guards
There’s perhaps no stronger physical security presence than security guards. Typically, someone standing guard alone is enough to repel criminals. However, depending on your business and security needs, you can opt for armed or unarmed guards.
Security guards are beneficial because they are immediate responders to any situation in your building. They can also help escort people and control access to your building, if necessary.
In terms of night time or off-hours security, security guards are a physical presence that will deter most crimes. A roving security guard is a huge threat to anyone trying to break in, vandalize, or steal from your business.
However, this is one of the more costly security solutions.
5. Install a Security Fence
While it may depend on your business location and whether or not you own or rent the building, it may be a good idea to put up a security fence around the access points of your building.
You can choose anything from a simple chainlink fence for a mild deterrence to a high fence with barbed wire to make a stronger “no trespassing” statement. Make sure you check with city coding laws before putting up any type of fence to avoid violating and codes, which could result in fines and penalties.
6. Control Access to Your Facility
One of the biggest threats to physical security and staff safety is unwanted intruders in your building. This could be anyone from vagrants, drunk people stumbling in off the street, or disgruntled ex-employees. While rare, these situations can lead to violence and other undesirable outcomes.
However, if you have and entry control point everyone must use to enter your building, it can irradicate intruders. This can be a gate that requires appropriate identification for people to enter or a security guard at the door checking IDs.
7. Train Your Employees
Finally, one of the best things you can do to enhance physical security at your business is to spread knowledge on how to handle adverse situations. Your employees need to know what to do if there’s an intruder in the building, an earthquake or another natural disaster, or something as terrible as an active shooter situation.
This will also help your staff feel more comfortable and confident in the workplace. Hire a security specialist for a weekend seminar or during a regular workday. Make sure people know to report red flags and who to report them to, everyone needs to work as a team when it comes to safety and security.
Want to Improve Physical Security and Other Aspects of Your Business?
Physical security is important, as is cybersecurity, finances, taxes, employee rules and regulations, and everything else in your business.
If you’re looking for a little extra advice and information on how to make your company thrive while keeping things running smoothly, we can help. Be sure to check out the rest of our business articles before you go!
