Best Warehouse Security Options For Your Business Needs
Theft is on the rise in America.
Up to $60 billion is lost by retailers because of theft each year. That represents a $3 billion increase from 2014.
Those statistics should be red flags to warehouse owners around the country. Rising crime rates demand appropriate preventative measures.
It’s time to ask an important question:
Are you doing enough to protect your warehouse(s) from thieves and intruders?
If the answer’s no, then it’s time to take action. Resting on your laurels and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster. Remember, criminals are like vultures- they live off easy pickings.
Thankfully, that means installing adequate warehouse security is often enough to thwart criminal efforts. But what constitutes adequate security?
Read on to learn about the best warehouse security measures out there.
1. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any business without CCTV today.
Knowing the threat of crime, owners take the sensible precaution of installing cameras on the property. They reap the rewards of a simple yet effective deterrent.
Warehouses stand to gain in exactly the same way. CCTV provides eyes when there’s nobody physically present.
Think about it. What’s the last thing that criminals want to happen? To get caught, right?
With cameras rolling, you can catch a thief red-handed. Even better, you can use the footage to find and prosecute them. Filing an insurance claim? That video footage will be crucial evidence, too.
2. Spotlights and Motion Detectors
The key to not getting caught is going unseen.
Thieves and intruders revel in the cover of darkness because their deeds can go undetected. That’s why warehouses benefit from installing spotlights and/or motion detectors.
Some spotlights stay on 24/7 at key areas of the property. Others are triggered by any movement that’s detected. Both are effective means of deterring a would-be intruder.
Also, spotlights often go hand in hand with CCTV. Your cameras may need the light in order to successfully record what’s happening (this is, of course, less of an issue if your cameras have night-vision).
3. Security Staff
Hiring security professionals to patrol the area is an ultimate security measure.
It doesn’t matter if it’s night or day, or in or out of operating hours. Your warehouse benefits.
CCTV is good for revealing what’s happening when nobody is physically on-site. However, it’s a passive security measure- it doesn’t intervene in proceedings. Clever criminals may disable the cameras anyway.
Having trained security personnel on-site solves the issue.
Security personnel are arguably the greatest deterrent against theft. Somebody is literally there to protect the premises; thieves are likely to be caught in the act.
Even better, security professionals are trained to handle the situation too. That all amounts to greater protection of staff and property.
Here’s the low-down on whether you need armed guards for your premises.
4. Install a Perimeter Fence
Warehouses without a perimeter fence are open to intruders.
It doesn’t take a security professional to see the benefits of a fence!
They’re another line of defense against crime. It just so happens that this time, that ‘line’ is a large and very tangible barrier to it.
Fences are literally designed to keep people out. Consider pairing the fence with your spotlights and motion detectors. Together, they create a formidable deterrent against thievery.
5. Keycard Entry Systems
Access control is another foundational component of effective warehouse safety.
Essentially, you don’t want intruders to waltz right into the building. Employees should require a keycard, or password, to enter the premises.
In theory, at least, your warehouse remains locked to anyone without a keycard. You can control those keycards remotely. It’s possible to disable a keycard, revoking somebody’s access rights.
That’s helpful in multiple ways.
For instance, it prevents keycard losses from being a potential security threat. Likewise, an employee that loses their job can be prevented from acting upon their frustration!
6. Cyber Security Support
We live in a modern, technological world.
It’s now impossible to discuss business security without considering cybersecurity issues.
All the fencing in the world won’t protect your business from malware. The Whitehouse itself estimates that such attacks could have cost the US up to $109 billion in 2016.
Warehouses often solicit advanced building management systems (BMS). These create a smart warehouse that leverages the internet of things to facilitate operations. Alas, they also leave it open to cyber-attack.
Be sure to use effective cybersecurity measures in your warehouse.
Identify potential weaknesses and take steps to correct them. Install internet security software. Set stringent employee password requirements. And so on.
7. Risk Assess and Test
Sometimes, the best security measures you can take involve assessment and testing.
It doesn’t matter where your warehouse is based. You could be in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Jersey City, or anywhere else. Regardless of perceived threat levels, you want to be constantly looking for flaws and weaknesses in your systems.
As we mentioned, resting on your laurels is a sure-fire path to trouble.
Attempt to assess, test and update your security measures throughout the year.
Imagine having a CCTV system that isn’t working, a fence with holes in it, or a malfunctioning motion detector. These common faults can be the difference between a successful or failed theft.
You could even consider hiring a professional service to do it for you. They can highlight current areas of threat and make appropriate suggestions for solving the problem.
Final Thoughts on the Best Warehouse Security
Warehouses are a hot target for would-be thieves and criminals.
That’s why any establishment that keeps valuable stock, equipment, or cash on site must take precautionary security measures.
As a veritable treasure-trove for thieves, your warehouse is no exception. As we’ve seen, retailers alone lose tens of billions of dollars to theft every year.
You literally can’t afford to scrimp and save on security. Investing in proper security is of utmost importance for avoiding worst-case scenarios.
Hopefully, this post has highlighted the best options out there for protecting your warehouse(s).
Looking for support with your warehouse security in Jersey City, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, or Wilmington? Be sure to contact us today.
If you’d like to learn more about OPS Security Group Warehouse and Distribution Center Security, Visit https://opssecuritygroup.com/ops-services/security-services/warehouse-and-distribution-facility-security/
OPS Security Group has over 80 years of combined experience protecting executives, businesses, residents, guests and government officials throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. As a regional security alternative with a service-first approach, we offer a level of customer service that international providers are too big to deliver. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/contact/