It's vital to keep your business premises secure. It prevents loss and disruption and increases your reputation as a company. Here we outline the most effective ways to protect your business premises and property from thieves, vandals, arsonists and other nefarious individuals.
1. Alarms and locks
All business premises should have a wired-in responsive alarm system approved by your insurer. The alarm should be tested regularly (and always when an employee leaves), and the code should be changed frequently, with only designated code holders.
Additionally, lock all access points with locks that conform to BS 3621. These locks should have registered keys with designated key holders who can access the property swiftly, 24/7. Label keys with something other than information that identifies the lock location.
Choose Abbey Security as your designated key holder in Suffolk.
2. CCTV
It’s impossible to have eyes on every part of the business premises at all times. CCTV is the solution, as one person can monitor various areas. CCTV is also valuable as a deterrent and in catching perpetrators after the event.
At Abbey Security, we offer a comprehensive and reliable CCTV monitoring service.
3. Staff training and security protocols
Your business premises are only as secure as your weakest human link! Many premises breaches occur because of human error – a window was left unlocked, or staff granted an unknown visitor access.
Staff training and clear security protocols are essential for business security. Develop clear protocols covering all aspects of security which rely on staff behaviour. This may include visitor protocols (always challenging unrecognised visitors), key holder expectations, etc. Then provide training to your staff on these processes. Review and renew training regularly.
4. Guards and patrols
The most significant deterrent to business break-ins and premises penetration is physically manning the property. That’s why most break-ins happen at night when the site is unattended. The vast majority of thieves do not want to encounter people.
Manned guarding ensures a security guard is on your property when you are not. Mobile security patrols have an element of irregularity so that criminals cannot predict them, but they provide regular checks during unmanned periods.
5. Lighting
Lighting is a simple but effective security measure. Use it to light entry points and dark areas. However, in Suffolk, many businesses are rural, and lighting may aid criminals. In these cases, combine lighting with CCTV and security patrols.
6. Secure glass
Windows are a weak point in security. This isn’t just because employees may accidentally leave them open or unlocked. Consider non-opening windows with reinforced glass.
7. Deterrent fencing/walls
Deter break-ins or opportunistic vandalism by erecting deterrent fencing or walls. Use barbed wire, anti-climb and anti-graffiti paint to make it harder to scale or damage and secure gates with thick chains and robust locks.
8. Internal security
Part of making your business secure is to secure the assets within it. High-value IT equipment, such as your servers, should be in a locked, hard-to-reach room and potentially locked in a security cage. Use steel cables and fixings to secure plant and machinery to concrete floors.
9. Offsite cash
Keep cash offsite when the property is unattended and display signage that communicates this. This acts as a deterrent.
10. Test your security
Overall, it’s vital that you undertake physical penetration testing to identify and then rectify weaknesses in your security.
Book Abbey Security for physical penetration testing, and let us help you make your Suffolk business secure.
Posted on December 19, 2022