How to tighten your workplace security
How To Tighten Your Workplace Security
Four strategies to keep your facility safe from theft
How confident are you that the security measures you have in place today will prevent your company from becoming the victim of a devastating theft?
Nobody enjoys planning for the worst case scenario. Security should be a key consideration during the planning phase of any office design or relocation project. The good news is that deterring theft doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
If your approach to workplace security so far has been remembering to lock the doors and saying a quick prayer before bed, it’s time to step up your game. Here’s four tips you can use to improve security at your business.
Place Cameras Strategically
Consider what you’re trying to capture before mounting cameras. Are you trying to catch footage of a 
potential suspect entering or exiting the building? Do you want to know where they go if they get inside? What about a shot of the type of vehicle they’re driving?
We recommend that clients begin by placing cameras in the following locations:
- Entry points
- Areas where someone may be injured
- MDF and/or server rooms
Your local police department may be able to provide specific recommendations about the type of footage that is helpful for identifying criminals.
Secure Points of Entry
Card readers or keypads are the two top options for most business owners today; with keys, you have the expense of changing the locks every time an employee leaves. Many of our clients opt for card readers so employees don’t have the burden of remembering a code (and potentially sharing that code with outsiders). Card readers also produce a record of who entered and when so you can review in the event of an incident.
We recommend placing card readers on exterior doors, IDF rooms, and possibly storerooms, depending on what you have inside. Depending on the type of building, consider using a latch plate to prevent would-be thieves from using a crowbar to gain entry.
Use Burglar Deterrents
Since most offices are uninhabited at night, alarms are extremely useful to tip off potential thieves that their presence on your property has not gone unnoticed. 60% of burglars said they look for an alarm system before robbing a home— and if they find one, they move along to another target.
You can install alarms that are monitored by a security service, or simply use the alarm itself as a deterrent.
Review Company Protocol
When we think about theft, many of us imagine criminals dressed in black sneaking into your facility in the dead of night. But today, many thefts occur during broad daylight, perhaps when your receptionist has stepped away for lunch or many of your employees are in a meeting or attending an off-site.
If you don’t receive a lot of visitors, consider keeping your front door locked at all times and buzzing guests in as needed. If you do frequently have guests, taking turns at the reception desk is a good way to make sure there are always eyes on the door.
Finally, make sure all of your employees are aware of the possibility of theft. Help them feel comfortable coming to your security/facility team or management with any concerns, or if they see someone who doesn’t belong.
For general information by the USDA, Office of Procurement and Property Management for use in addressing security in the workplace issues, click here.
Looking to make office security a priority in 2019? Contact us for a consultation.
