Appropriate warehouse security saves you money.
That’s according to an FBI report on crime, anyway. In 2015, property crime in the United States led to an estimated $14.3 billion dollars’ worth of losses.
Having the right security systems in place is a sure-fire way to help. But what warehouse security measures help? What systems do you need to keep your premises and employees safe?
Keep reading to discover ten things every warehouse security checklist should include.
10 Warehouse Security Checklist Essentials
1. Assess the Risks
Risk assessments are a crucial tool at the disposal of those in charge of warehouse security.
In fact, they should be the first point of your call to a security provider. It’s important to ask certain questions like:
- What/where are your warehouse’s weak points?
- What security measures should you consider?
Hire a professional security company to undertake the assessment. Professional expertise will help to identify any vulnerabilities you may have.
In addition, the company will recommend and install the security measures required.
2. Have Closed Circuit Television
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is another effective way of keeping your warehouse secure.
Most warehouses and other privately owned commercial properties have CCTV installed. And for a good reason.
CCTVs are of vital importance to your premises’ security. They enable you to observe warehouse goings-on 24/7.
As well as reducing insurance costs, these systems deter would-be criminals. Recordings also provide evidence to use in litigation when needed.
Be sure to put signs up notifying that CCTV is operating in the area as well. This can discourage anyone who’s up to no good.
3. Incorporate Motion Detection Systems
A key component of most warehouse security plans is the use of motion detectors.
Motion detectors, like lighting in public bathrooms, turn on automatically upon entry.
Movement triggers a sensor, which sends a signal to your security system. This may have an effect at your end (a spotlight or alarms could trigger, for example).
Triggers can signal a central monitoring center to notify your security mangers.
4. Have A Quality Fenced Perimeter
A fence around the premises is an effective way to protect your premises. Though rarely impermeable, a well-made fence is an initial obstacle to warehouse entry.
It also deters lazy criminals at the outset who don’t want the bother of scaling or breaking through a fence.
5. Use Bright Lights
Bright lights enhance the use of fences, cameras, and CCTV.
Your warehouse is far more of a target under the darkness of night. With bright spotlights illuminating the area, it’s far harder to be unnoticed. These can work simultaneously with a motion detector system.
If your CCTV systems don’t have night vision capabilities, lights are critical. After all, there’s no point in cameras if you can’t see anything!
6. Have Keycard Warehouse Entry
Keycard entry, aka ‘access control‘, means that your warehouse is accessible via keycard. Therefore, employees scan their cards when they wish to unlock the door.
Access control allows warehouse owners to control who can enter the premises.In addition, you can revoke permissions as needed.
7. Employ Security Personnel
Patrolling security officers are another popular warehouse security measure. There are several options your security team can adjust to fit your needs:
- Employ 24/7 support
- Limit security to a nighttime presence
- Station patrolling security officer at entry points
An added benefit is the speed of response. Imagine that there’s an issue in the warehouse. You have a security person patrolling the area. Due to their proximity to the problem, they’ll be able to react immediately and prevent the crime from unfolding.
Without the security person, you’d have to hope that emergency personnel responds in time to your issue.
8. Remember Your Online Security
With so many physical warehouse security considerations it can be easy to forget about online risks. It’s important to recognize that the risk of online security breaches is ever increasing.
Be sure to protect yourself from this threat too.
For instance, have a fine-tuned system for employee passwords.
Not only should passwords be complex, but they should also require two-factor authentication. This means the initial password should trigger a second security key that enables access.
Employees should have to change their passwords on a regular basis to improve data security.
9. Use Automated Data Entry Systems
Obviously, the danger of crime, such as theft, isn’t limited to external sources.
Anyone on the inside can be responsible for manipulating the systems in place for their own gain.
Manual exercises, such as data entry or hand counting inventory, leave room for error. These errors leave you open to theft of money and products.
As such, use automatic systems whenever you can. For example, log the entry of inventory as soon as it arrives, using RFID readers.
10. Test Thoroughly
The final warehouse security checklist item is to test your systems often.
Risk assessment is no good unless your systems work.
Regularly test everything you’ve put in place. For instance, a weekly alarm check helps ensure alarms are operating at optimal capacity.
Time to Wrap Up
There you have it: ten essentials for your warehouse security checklist.
Each consideration is an important way to improve the security of your warehouse.
Hopefully, you’ve gained some new ideas for practicing effective warehouse security. Did you gain any new insight into how to protect your premises?
Let us know in the comments! And be sure to contact us to see how we can help with your security needs.