Business premises are often a target for burglars, with a wide range of high-value computer equipment and stock left unattended for long periods of time. Many businesses reported break-ins during lockdown and when staff were working remotely, and with a new work-from-home order now in place (Dec 2021), a lot of companies have justifiable concerns about the security of their premises.
Thankfully, there are some simple steps that companies can take to minimise the risk of break-ins, vandalism, and security incidents while staff are working from home. Read on to find out more.
1) Recognise The Risk
Some businesses are at greater risk of burglary than others, depending on the location, level of footfall, and market sector. Businesses on remote industrial estates and business parts are at greater risk than offices on busy and well-monitored high streets, and high-value retailers are also a common target for criminals. Offices and commercial properties are often filled with high-value computers and servers, for instance, as well as personal electronic devices left in drawers and on desks, while workshops are known to harbour valuable tools and machinery. Many businesses also keep cash on premises overnight. This creates a magnet for opportunistic thieves as well as concerted criminals.
With cybercrime also on the increase, targeted thefts of items such as hard drives, laptops, and mobile phones has also become more common, with companies facing hefty fines for data breaches. Failing to recognise the full weight of the risk is a major problem for businesses, who often find out the true cost of a break-in when the damage is already done. Begin with a risk assessment for your business, considering the level of surveillance and CCTV in the immediate area, weak access and entry points, the background crime rate, and the type of assets that could be a target for thieves.
2) Calculate The Long-Term Impact on Employee Wellbeing
Employees need to feel safe and secure in their place of work. Many staff whose office has suffered a break-in report finding it difficult to concentrate and perform their roles, and managers notice a dip in productivity in the workplace – even if the incident happened while staff were working remotely. Staff turnover is likely to be higher if employees don’t feel safe catching a bus to or from work or are uncomfortable leaving their car parked on a nearby street.
When assessing the need for additional workplace security, consider whether employees would be able to cope with the psychological aftermath of a burglary, and calculate the cost of potentially losing them. Visible CCTV and access control systems around your premises all contribute to staff feeling safer and more relaxed at work and also deter many would-be burglars.
3) Implement An Integrated Security and Access Plan
From a personalised assessment of your security risks, tailored solutions can be designed and implemented to address your security weak points. For instance, vulnerable entrance and car park areas can be fitted with CCTV cameras, whilst access can be limited by high-quality security doors and biometric locking systems. If your site has dark areas where thieves can lurk, automatic external security lights can generate safe zones, whilst access control points can prevent unwanted visitors from entering the site.
Often, companies are either unsure about the potential risk or fail to identify risks correctly. As such, completing a simple security checklist can ensure that the right strategy is implemented.
Next Steps
Replacing stolen assets can be expensive, and when data is involved, the process can be even more damaging. To find out how secure your premises genuinely are, and for tailored advice on how you can increase security while your team are away from the office, please get in touch with one of our technical sales team today.
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