7 top tips to secure your business

Any business with a physical location is exposed to physical security risks. But with the proper security measures, you can prevent (or minimise) the risks that your business, your employees and your customers are exposed to.

Here are 7 top tips to secure your business from our commercial and business security experts.

1. Install high quality locks

Having high quality locks on your business premises is vital to keeping it secure. There are a range of locks available on the market, all offering different levels of security.

Anti-snap or snap safe cylinders offer varying levels of security, with cutting edge features to combat cylinder snapping amongst other attacks. Anti-snap locks are made of high security euro lock cylinders, designed and tested to protect against a thief from breaking the lock.

To provide the highest level of protection for your space it is important to have your locks fitted correctly. Incorrectly fitted locks can leave your premises vulnerable to break-ins, regardless of the standard of your locks. Our friendly team of local locksmiths are always available to offer you advice on ensuring your business is safe. We are happy to help with anything you need to provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.

2. Secure glass doors and windows

The best lock in the world won’t protect your business from a break in if your doors are made of glass or if an intruder can easily enter through a window.

Security grilles and window shutters are a simple and effective way to secure any glass entry point by creating a physical barrier that cannot be broken through by intruders.

Read more: Should You Install Security Grilles Or Window Shutters?

3. Deter criminals with CCTV

CCTV is both an incredible deterrent for crime, as well as a helpful tool to identify anyone involved in criminal activity. The use of CCTV can reduce crime by up to 51% as criminals will actively avoid businesses that could easily identify them. CCTV can also have additional benefits for a business such as being able to monitor employee behaviour, or reducing your insurance premium.

CCTV is advised for most businesses, but is especially important if you have
• Cash tills
• Car parks
• Valuable equipment
• Sellable stock

Read more: Does Your Business Need CCTV?

4. Secure outside your premises

Secure the outside of your premises by installing security lights, removing any tools that can aid a criminal, and making unauthorised entry (e.g. over fences and hedges) as difficult as possible.
As with CCTV, security lights act as a great deterrent for potential trespassers and can help you to see anyone who does approach. Security lights fix to the outside of your building and turn on when they detect motion nearby.

If you have visitors or customers at your premises, security lights can also help them feel more secure when it’s dark outside as they’ll be able to see outside the building.
Thieves often scope out businesses before deciding to commit burglary. Tall spiky bushes or high fences around your premises can make it harder and less appealing for intruders to break in.

Most burglars don’t carry bulky equipment around with them so tools and aids to assist the break in are one of the main things they look for when researching a premises. E.g. bins and ladders can be used to climb to higher floors with unlocked windows while tools and gardening equipment can help them break a lock or glass window pane.

Lock your tools away and anchor any furniture or bins to the ground to prevent burglars from being able to see and/or use these items to break in.

5. Install an alarm system

An alarm will alert you when someone unauthorised enters your business premises allowing you to call for help immediately. Alarms can also limit the damage an intruder can cause as they’ll want to escape quickly and spend as little time at the crime scene as possible.

Installing an advanced intruder alarm system is an effective way to deter intruders. Alarm systems provide easy to monitor sensors that notify you and/or the police of any break ins. Alarm systems consist of a connection of sensors, located within the secured space, that monitor movement. These motion sensors send a notification when triggered.

6. Implement access control

Access control systems – through either mechanical or electronic locks – can stop employees and intruders from stealing cash or stock by requiring a specific code or fob to access certain areas of your business premises.

In the event of a security breach, employee incident or emergency, Access Control Systems provide helpful data to help track movements throughout the vicinity.
Although primarily used in larger buildings, all companies can benefit from access control systems.

7. Use a safe

Similarly to access control systems, safes can help you restrict access to valuable items reducing the chance of an employee stealing and making your premises a more difficult target for thieves.
Freestanding safes, wall safes and underfloor safes are one of the best ways to secure cash and smaller valuables e.g. jewellery, specialist tools and confidential documents. Theft or damage of these valuables can be disastrous to small businesses so these must be protected.

Safes protect your valuables even when intruders manage to gain entry to the premises, can improve your insurance premiums and give you peace of mind when leaving valuables unsupervised.

The Phoenix Data Commander DS4622E is one of the best safes for businesses looking to store important documents, files, and digital media on a regular basis. This safe is often used as a freestanding fixture since it’s weight of 480kg makes it incredibly difficult for thieves to removed. Get in touch with our team or visit us in store to discuss more safe options for your business.

Read more:  How To Get The Most Out Of Your Safe

Business security doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming and can save you stress and expense in the future. Pop into our store or give our team a call on 0115 9780141 to discuss the best way to secure your business premises.