Business Security Information

When trying to protect or secure a lot or other area, most businesses fence in the area and secure any opening to the lot with some type of gate. The fencing is usually of the chain link type which does not provide good perimeter security; however, that is not the focus of this article. Right now, I want to focus on how the gate is secured during business hours. Since open gates are necessary for the smooth functioning of the business, I am referring to padlocks used to secure the gate during non-business hours being left open during business hours. If you look at the pictures included in this article, you will see examples of what I mean. In each picture, regardless of whether it is a chain link gate or a swing arm gate, an open padlock is hanging on the gate.

How Is This a Security Issue

Over the years, I have noticed this security issue many times and have pointed it out to numerous businesses I have worked with. The open padlock hanging on the gate is a small but important security detail. Look at it this way–if I wanted to gain access to your storage yard or lot during non-business hours, what would be one of the simplest methods to accomplish this? The simplest method would be to exchange the open padlock with one that looks very similar and that I (the criminal) have a key to. Most employees or business owners are so used to locking up at night, they really don’t pay any attention to the lock when they close it. After the employee or business owner closes the gate and secures it by latching the open padlock, the criminal can come back anytime during non-business hours and open the padlock with their key. Once inside the storage yard or lot, the thief can simply remove any materials or items they want to steal. On top of that, if the criminal really wants to mess with a business, they will remove the replaced padlock and put the original padlock back on the gate when they leave.

Lock the Padlock

Prevention of this security problem is easy. Simply lock the padlock on the gate or fence after unlocking it at the beginning of the business day. This way someone cannot easily replace the padlock. It would require someone cutting or opening the padlock prior to replacing it with one of their own. If an open padlock is found on the gate, always try your own key in the lock to make sure it is your own padlock.

This simple step can prevent someone gaining access to your business yard or lot after hours. Security is in the details!

Some other suggestions: look at using security cable instead of chain to secure the gate with the padlock, use a padlock with no shackle or a protected shackle, and make sure the gate hinges are secured and cannot be easily removed. These along with a good security fencing material will help improve security of your lot or storage yard.

Related posts:

1. Security Swing Arm Gates
2. Perimeter Security Details
3. Lock Bumping