Commercial premises remain an operational necessity, even in a new world of increased remote working, devolved teams and cloud management. There is no circumventing the need for on-site staff, for logistics warehouses, for assembly plants, for admin offices that handle time-sensitive orders and confidential information. It’s a unique new patchwork that describes the country’s commercial infrastructure – and one beset by new challenges, accordingly.
One such challenge is that of security. Keeping a commercial property secure is essential for protecting staff, assets and day-to-day operations. Security often takes secondary importance to other mission-critical expenses, though, leaving a small budget to work with. Though many businesses assume security upgrades require large budgets, this isn’t necessarily the case; there are various accessible, cost-effective security improvements that can significantly reduce operational risk and improve peace of mind in the process.
Upgrade Entry Points and Strengthen Physical Barriers
The first port of call for any security improvement is a reckoning of the premises’ current state – including that of its entry points, the last line of defence for would-be breakers-and-enterers. By committing to improve doors, windows and other points of potential ingress, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of break-ins, even if by reducing the temptation of crimes of opportunity.
This doesn’t mean spending money on expensive automated shutter systems; rather, affordable upgrades such as reinforced locks, security film and modern UPVC doors offer durability, insulation and enhanced security all at a reasonable cost.
Improve Lighting and Visibility Around Your Premises
The term ‘crime of opportunity’ is an important one in commercial security. When a theft is not a meticulously planned operation by organised criminals, it is an impromptu trying of the doors – literally and figuratively. Such opportunistic thefts can be prevented not with active security, but more passive means; something as simple as an improved outdoor lighting system, equipped with motion sensors, can be enough to deter intruders from continuing an attempt.
Introduce Low-Cost Surveillance and Monitoring Solutions
The same consideration applies with respect to CCTV, where a visibly-working system can prevent opportunistic attempts to gain access to a site. Affordable options for such systems are now commercially available, in the form of wireless CCTV, smart doorbell cameras and remote monitoring apps – which can be used for perpetrator identification as well as theft deterrent.
Strengthen Internal Policies and Staff Awareness
Not all security measures are physical additions or improvements; indeed, a little personnel training can go a very long way to improving security, alongside the introduction of new procedures to track visitors and guests. A proper sign-in procedure, coupled with staff training on guest verification, can reduce nefarious attempts to access a site during operation.
