9 Steps to Better Protect Your Business Against Burglary

It’s estimated that every minute there are four burglaries in the U.S. Are you prepared, ready and protected against this potential threat? There’s no shortage of opportunists looking for easy targets. Are you one? How do you help keep your business from becoming a statistic? By thinking like a burglar.

What would you notice if you were approaching a property with ill intent? Are there windows or doors that provide easy access? Does the security system appear to be easily disabled? These are just a few of the assessments being made by potential intruders. By thinking like a burglar you can identify potential weaknesses that make your business an easy target. Here are nine things a potential burglar hopes you won’t do:

1. Conceal The Wiring Outside Of Your Business Facilities – Burglars will often cut wires on the outside of a building in an attempt to disable security and other means of communication. Make the task challenging by concealing all of your external wiring (Electrical, security, telephone, cable, etc.), using cable conduits or other means.
2. Double-check Basic Business Protocols – Make sure authorized employees know how to use your business security systems, and are aware of the proper protocol for arming and disarming. Failure to arm or properly use your security systems can leave your business vulnerable.
3. Keep Cash And Valuables In A Secure Location – If your business keeps cash on hand overnight, or has high-value inventory of any kind, make sure these assets are securely stored. Small items can be placed in a commercial-grade safe bolted in place. For high-value inventory items, consider added layers of protection with additional access control partitions and locked doors.
4. Protect Your Premises With A Monitored Security System – Installing a security system is one of the best things you can do to protect your business. Making sure your business is monitored 24 hours a day is essential in achieving the highest level of protection. A monitored system increases your chances to interrupt and apprehend perpetrators.
5. Be Smart With Video Surveillance – Selfies aside, no one likes being caught on camera. Video can be one of your best deterrents. Make sure your video surveillance system adequately covers every part of your facility. Pay particular attention to entrances and exits as well as other sensitive areas of your organization.
6. Shred Sensitive Business Information – Don’t make it easy for criminals to take advantage of account numbers, customer information, employees file, sales data, vendor documentation or other information contained within your business. Instill a strict policy regarding shredding and processing.
7. Maintain A Closed-Door Policy – Open warehouse doors left unattended can be an invitation for potential criminals. Open doors could also allow would-be burglars to identify viable targets inside your facility, and analyze your layout. Have a closed-door policy in place, especially for unattended areas in high traffic locations.
8. Check And Lock All Doors And Windows – Burglars look for easy access. An unlocked door or window can be all it takes to set their criminal activities in motion. Make sure all doors and windows are secure and protected. Consider adding intrusion detection sensors in addition to locks.
9. Talk To A Business Security Consultant – People who specialize in business security can offer valuable insight into your business by identifying potential internal and external threats you may not recognize. These experts will have detailed information on local crime trends, and the eye to discover vulnerabilities within your organization. Their advice could prove to be a valuable and worthy investment.

Safeguarding your business requires time and effort but it’s worth it. Burglary has a costly and often lasting impact on organizations. For a comprehensive checklist and guide on protecting your business, check out the Safety and Security Quick Guides, available now.