There’s no denying that businesses can be big targets for theft. The size, type and location of your business will determine exactly how tempting it will be to criminals and how likely you are to be targeted, but the bottom line is that any business with premises needs to understand the security threats they face. This means putting some real thought into your physical security, and putting the right solutions in place to protect your business in any way you can. If you’re not sure where to start, or you think you have the basics covered, here are 5 areas to consider.

Do a Physical Security Risk Assessment

First off, assess! Even if you already have physical security protocols in place, this is an important step. After all, when was the last time you went through and made sure everything was working as well as it should be? It’s not enough to be reactive, you need to be proactive as well.

Take some time to go through your physical locations and the security measures you already have in place to pinpoint threats and weak spots. Identify what specific threats your business faces (like local crime trends, vulnerabilities in your setup, or emerging threats), and evaluate how exposed your business is to each risk. Consider your location, past incidents and the effectiveness of any existing security measures. All of this means you can prioritise security upgrades on the most vulnerable points and allocate your resources more effectively – as well as giving you a better overall view of your business’s physical security.

This is something we can do for you for free, by the way.

Develop Emergency Protocols

Do you know what to do if an emergency happens in your workplace? Most people will know how to deal with a medical emergency, but what about anything else? Fire, natural disasters, floods, security breaches – they’re all things you need to have a plan in place for. Not just that – everyone in your business needs to know what to do when something unexpected happens. That means designating specific roles and responsibilities for your employees, setting up a foolproof communication system, and running practice drills. If you need to train people, then train them. Just make sure that everyone is prepared and ready to stay calm and act effectively if a real emergency strikes.

Hire Trained Security

If you operate out of a few different buildings, or a large, sprawling one, then a physical security presence might be useful. Even if it’s only at key times, seeing an actual person guarding a business can be a real deterrent to most criminals. They’re a very visible reminder that your business takes security seriously, and you can make sure that any weak spots or areas that might be attractive to burglars are protected. Whether you need round-the-clock surveillance, periodic patrols or security for specific events, there’s a guard company that can help. It’s a robust layer of protection, and if you’re careful about it then it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Install CCTV

CCTV is an absolute day 1 essential for any business with premises, but you would be surprised how many don’t have it in place. We’ve seen quite a few businesses who relied on the CCTV cameras of the shopping centre they’re in lose thousands in stock because they had no visual security in the store itself. So if you haven’t got a good CCTV system in place, make sure you get one ASAP. And while you’re at it – make sure you understand the laws around it and how they affect you.

Once it’s installed, actually look at it from time to time. So many businesses just store and destroy their CCTV footage if there isn’t a reported incident, often without even looking at it. But your CCTV footage can be a valuable resource in improving the security of your premises. Check what footage your remote monitoring station receives, what angles it sees, and if there have been any attempts to scope your premises by criminals. This helps you see any weak spots, can show you the level of detail you can obtain on any intruders, and makes sure your cameras are in the right position (or helps you see if they need to be moved). Useful, eh?

Enhance Your Physical Barriers

Physical security is just that – physical, The more physical barriers you can put in between an intruder and your business, the less likely they are to try and break in. Security lighting, gates, fences and reinforced doors are all great ways to signal to criminals ‘hey, this business is protected, go somewhere else.’ Even if you’re limited on what you’re allowed to do (either by a lease or because you’re based in a retail centre or someone else’s space), there are still some things you can do to protect your business. Reinforced windows and doors, roller shutters and strong locks are all non-intrusive ways to boost your physical security, and will help you withstand any forcible attempts to break in.

At Securifix, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality security solutions and advice to business owners across the country. If you would like to book your free security review, or just want some advice, just get in touch with the team today, and we would be happy to help.