Why is it that so many business owners are obsessive about installing the latest and safest security systems to protect their homes, yet when it comes to commercial security systems, they feel keeping the doors locked at night is adequate? Protecting your loved ones and valuables at home should be a top priority, no doubt about it, but when you own a business, commercial security should be just as important.
Think about what is at risk if your business is broken into (and this applies to almost any type of business—retail, business offices, restaurants and cafés, etc.):
- The safety of your valued employees. For many business owners, employees are almost as close as family members.
- The reputation of your business as a safe and welcoming place for customers and clients.
- Your inventory and office equipment and the time and business opportunities you will lose trying to replace them.
With so much at stake, is just locking up at night the best you can do for commercial security? Even in the safest neighborhoods, break-ins and robberies do happen from time to time. Prepare ahead of time and avoid the consequences of crime. Here are three simple and not-so-simple (but effective) steps you can take to improve the security of your business against a break-in.
1. Follow best practices for commercial security and train your employees
Carelessness of basic security precautions among a business’s staff are two of the most common causes of a break-in. If you can’t be on-site all day at your business (and who can?) train your staff to properly lock every entrance, move valuables away from the windows, and activate your commercial security system (if you have one).
Former employees have also been known to break into a business where they used to work—especially if their departure from the business was not voluntary. Be sure to collect all keys from terminated employees (changing the locks if you’re still concerned) and disable their passwords.
2. Have a plan.
Develop an escape route in the event of an emergency and post it for all employees to see. Make sure to keep a current back up of your network off site. Devise a Disaster Plan with all key information. Get input from your top employees
3. Install a commercial security system with fire protection
The capabilities and components of your commercial security system will vary, depending on your business’s needs for security and your budget. Alarm systems start with protecting the perimeter of your building. This includes all door even overhead doors. Next is interior protection which can include standard motion detectors. These are known to create false alarms which in turn costs you fines by your city. The best protection is verified audio or video. Make sure to talk with a provider that can offer this solution for your business.
Surveillance cameras—especially useful to aid in the investigation of a crime after it occurs—are now available in digital (IP) and analog. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks for storage and imaging capabilities.
Most importantly fire protection. This will consist of smoke and/or heat detectors. Depending on your business in could include an evacuation system with horn strobes and fire pull stations
While it might seem challenging—and expensive—to sort through all these options for commercial security systems, it doesn’t have to be. A commercial security expert can help you design a system that meets your needs and your budget. Considering the risks of not adequately protecting your business, you’ll find it well worth it to at least have an assessment done. To get you started, we’ve created a useful guide to commercial security, available for free by clicking on the image below.
Something to think about….
40% of business that is affected by a fire never re-open. (Source: Insurance Information Institute). If you don’t do anything else for your business this year invest in a monitored fire system. The cost is very little compared to losing everything!
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