Business Security Information

Having worked with small and medium-sized businesses for the past 12 years and being in business myself, I am always looking for sources of security information that will help businesses protect themselves.  Since business owners are often overwhelmed with their day-to-day duties, security is often one of those things that is put on the back-burner until some crime or security incident occurs.  Why is that?  Due to time resources?  Because it is hard to get good information to make the right decision regarding the type of protection you need?  Probably in most instances, if we are honest with ourselves, it is a little of both.  Research is time-consuming but necessary.

While putting gas in our vehicle today, I saw a simple security issue that probably occurs at a lot of businesses as well as gas stations.  This gas station was the typical type you find outside a supermarket or department store–gas pumps with a small structure in the middle for the cashier to handle customer who don’t pay at the pump.  The small cashier structure was bullet-resistant with a portal for customers to pass cash and credit cards safely to the cashier.  The one door to the structure was metal with a regular lock as well as a deadbolt.  I am presuming it was set up this way to prevent thefts and robberies.  In my opinion, the physical security was adequate for the location.

A survey came out this year covering the crimes that occur most often at hospitality businesses such as resorts, hotels, clubs, conferences, and other similar types of businesses.  It is always interesting to see what type of crime or security issues occur in general as well as to specific types of businesses.  Having this type of general and specific crime information makes it possible to better protect your business .

The following crimes and their percentage of occurrences were reported by the hospitality industry :

1. Larceny or Theft – 94%
2. Aggravated Assault – 39%

You own or manage a store, restaurant, bank, check-cashing establishment or other similar type of business.  One or more robbers entered your business through the front door and demanded money.  You or your employees complied with the robber(s) demands and gave them the money.  No one was hurt and now the robber(s) have left your business through the back or side door.  The employees locked all the doors so the robber(s) don’t return and have called 911.  Now what?

One of the key components to this scenario is the doors that the robber(s) used to enter and exit the business.  When the police arrive, does it matter what door they are let in?

This summer, I helped a friend install a DVR (digital video recorder) for his business security camera system.  I also helped him configure the DVR and his network to allow remote viewing of the security cameras for him and a few key employees.  While helping him with this project, I realized how much physical security systems have changed over the past few years.  More and more of them are being manufactured with network capabilities with many of them being installed on the business network.

Watch this short (less than a minute) video on how simple it is to gain access to a building through a garage door. While there are other methods of breaking into a home or business, this is one that is often overlooked or forgotten even by seasoned security professionals. It is also one that is low-tech and very easy to do.

Garage Door – I Am In!

If you are one of many types of businesses that sell or service vehicles, you should look at how you are storing keys for the vehicles you are servicing or selling.  Over the years, I have seen numerous dealerships and service centers that store keys like the company noted in the pictures.  As you can see from the pictures, the keys are just stored on a board-type key holder.  While I do not usually recommend the use of such a board because keys are easily accessible to anyone in the area, I want to focus on the more pressing security issue of the proximity of the keys to the entrance to the business.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article called “Bulletproof Enclosures” where I discussed movable bandit barriers or bulletproof enclosures.  Just today I read about a different but very similar type of robbery security measure called a security screen.  The concept is very similar to the movable bulletproof enclosure, but different in that it is a bullet-resistant metal wall.

On a recent trip, I stopped for gasoline and a snack at a convenience store along the highway.  When I entered the store, I noticed a bulletproof enclosure (also called bandit barriers) had been installed at the cashier’s counter.  It was different from other ones I had seen used in check-cashing businesses and banks in that it moved horizontally. The cashier could simply press a switch, and the bulletproof cashier window would open or close.  During the day when the risk of robbery may be less, the window could be left open.  In this way, interaction with customers could occur more easily, and it did not appear as intimidating to those visiting the convenience store.

In my last article, I wrote about the importance of padlocks and gates.   I also mentioned that chain link fences do not really provide good security for a storage yard or lot.  In most situations, metal fence type barriers (such as in the pictures) provide better security than chain link fences.  The pictures show a good security solution for protecting huge equipment tires but would provide no real security if you were trying to protect smaller stored items or against someone trying to steal parts from your equipment or vehicles.  Always choose a security solution that will fit your needs and provide adequate security for what you are trying to protect.