5 Signs Better Security is Needed

In today’s world, you can’t be too careful. This is especially true when it comes to your business. Criminals target businesses for theft and vandalism, especially those that deal in physical cash on a daily basis, such as banks and retail outlets.

Sign 1: A Previous Robbery

A previous robbery is a sure sign that your current security is not up to the task of keeping out criminal threats. Even if the robbery was unsuccessful, if the perpetrator was able to breech areas of your security then they need to be evaluated to prevent similar threats in the future. After a robbery, you and your employees may be shaken and need to restore your vital sense of basic security. To accomplish this, a call to a professional locksmith can help you evaluate the most cost effective and established security solutions to reduce your odds of a robbery occurring in the future. This might include an upgrade to your locks, the installation of an access control system, the addition of security cameras or an alarm system. Only you as the business owner can decide what’s right for your company, but a professional locksmith can be a valuable asset.

Sign 2: Criminal Activity in the Area

If there have been attempted or successful robberies in the vicinity of your business, such as at neighboring facilities, that’s a sign that a criminal may be moving down the line of available options and your business might be next. This is also true if companies in similar industries have been targeted in the same region—such as a string of robberies at fast food restaurants. To reduce the chance of your company being on the nightly news, this is a good time to evaluate your security and make any needed adjustments.  A locksmith can be obtained on short notice to upgrade your locks or install alarms on your doors to prevent unwanted entry.

Sign 3: Excessive Internal Loss (Shrinkage)

This is a problem that affects many retail establishments, restaurants, and similar businesses with many employees. If you perform regular inventory and find a high rate of missing items, that’s a sign that you have an internal problem with your security. Not all threats come from outside of your business and this is one such internal threat. Installations like security cameras and access control systems, which can restrict certain off-limits areas, can go a long way toward catching the problem and allowing you to take the needed corrective action. While all companies can expect some level of internal shrinkage due to human errors and technological mix-ups, a high less of loss is never normal and can cost your business a great deal of money if the problem goes unchecked.

Sign 4: Lack of Background Screenings

It’s crucial to employ background screenings when it comes to hiring employees, even if you have a high employee turnover rate. While some employers and managers will try to cut corners by skipping these screenings and relying on references and the information provided in resumes, this can be a mistake that leads to problems down the line. While people can certainly change and reform their actions, recent issues may indicate an ongoing problem with a potential employee. Screening your employees can catch many potential red flags that can help you determine whether it’s worth it to bring this new person onto your team.

Sign 5: Excessive Traffic

If you own a retail or similar establishment, one sign that better security may be required if you don’t already have high security elements in place is if you see a lot of customer traffic every day. Some potential criminals and scam artists search for places that are busy so that they can perform their crimes without being watched because the employees are distracted. This vulnerability can be eliminated by installing security cameras or increasing measures such as metal detectors at your entrances.

Upgrades that can be made to improve your commercial property’s security include better locks, keyless entry systems, security cameras, different types of safes, and alarm systems installed either locally or connected to a third-party monitoring system.  A locksmith can help guide you to choose the most appropriate, cost-effective options for your particular business. Your goal should be for highly effective security that does not cause a noticeable increase in inconvenience for your employees or customers. A professional locksmith will know how to achieve this goal and protect your business the right way.