Business Security Information

If your business uses security cameras, recording is essential.  The recorded security camera feed can be used for a variety of purposes, especially after a business has been burglarized or robbed.  Currently, most businesses use a DVR (digital video recorder) to record their security cameras, but some still use time-lapsed VCR.  No matter which method you use to record your security cameras, what will prevent the criminal from taking the video tape or the DVR’s hard drive when they burglarize or rob your business?  If there is nothing to stop the criminal from taking the recorded security camera video, you should consider the use of lock boxes.

It seems like there are numerous websites on the Internet covering the main aspects of computer security but very few on physical security for a typical business.  On this website I try to cover all types of security on this website, but today I want to focus on physical security.

Physical security is mainly related to the protection of people, buildings, equipment and other physical or tangible assets.  Physical security is often overlooked in this high-tech business world where protecting digital assets of a business is emphasized. Adequately protecting digital assets, though, depends on implementing physical security as well.

A strike plate is a part of a door lock.  It is the metal plate that is attached, usually with screws, to the door jamb (door frame) and has one or more holes that hold the lock bolt when the lock is engaged.  When the door is closed, the lock bolt extends into the hole which then keeps the door closed.  Refer to the picture for a look at a high security strike plate.

This past month I have been working with a business regarding some physical security improvements, and one of those items was a security or intrusion alarm system.  It got me thinking about businesses that I deal with who usually ask me about why a certain element of security they have implemented, such as security systems, is not working.  Most of the time when I look at their particular situation, one or more elements of the security system does not fit their needs.  Usually this is not discovered until the system has been installed and paid for, leaving the business with a system that does not fulfill their needs and sometimes results in the system not being used after a period of time.  This results in wasted time and money for the business owner as well as poor or nonexistent security.

I just got done watching this short video (2 minutes) on installing a security door plate on a residential door with a wood frame.  It showed how this security plate could provide another layer of security against a criminal that tries to break in by kicking down your door.  As you watch, you will see that the door leads to what appears to be the speaker’s home office.  Although many commercial structures have metal doors with metal door frames which do not need security door plates, I have seen numerous offices and other commercial buildings which have exactly the same type of doors with wood frames where security door plates would have helped reduce the risk of someone kicking down the door.  Also, note that the security door plate helps the deadbolt lock resist such an attack (the door entry lock or door handle lock really is not affected by this security measure.)  Along this line, I would recommend that you install deadbolt locks on your exterior doors if you have not already.  Make sure any exterior door locks you use are resistant to lock bumping (read the definition and watch the videos on lock bumping to understand the dangers from this type of attack).

Lock Bumping, or “bumping” as it is sometimes called, has been around for the past fifty years and is a form of lock picking where a specially cut key is used to move the pins in the lock so the lock can be opened.  The key is made by cutting all cuts in the key to their maximum depth and is sometimes called a 999 key because the cuts are made to the maximum depth of 9.  The cuts can be made by using a hand file, but using a key-cutting machine speeds up the process of making a bump key.

This is a mechanism built into the door latch which prevents the latch from being pried or pushed back into the door. If you look at the key-in-the-knob latch in the picture, you can see that it would be fairly easy to slip the latch open using a shim or what is also called a shove knife. These type of devices can be easily bought or made, and it usually only takes seconds to bypass the latch-type lock. A credit card can also be used on some latches.

Do you have any exterior doors at your business that have hinges on the outside, like the one in this picture? If so, you may be at risk for a simple break-in method. Even though the door is locked, someone can easily remove the hinge pins from the exterior-facing hinges and remove the entire door, allowing easy access. One way of reducing this risk is to use what are called “jamb pins”. Refer to this picture of commercial jamb pins to see what I am talking about.

Commercial Jamb Pins

Do you travel a lot for business or pleasure, especially in foreign countries?  Do you ever think about being kidnapped when traveling?  I know this is a little off the regular topics I cover in my articles, but today, no matter the size of the business you may own, most people are doing some type of international business.  Since this may require you now or in the future to travel overseas, I thought I would share just a few tips from the experts in the area of kidnap prevention.

Many businesses today use social media sites as a marketing tool as well as to touch base with existing customers.  Some of the most popular social media sites include Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Myspace.  Of course, there are others out there, and it seems like new ones are becoming available almost on a daily basis.  Do you ever think about what information you are providing others when you  use these sites?  A little information can go a long way.  For example, I read a story recently about a businessman who owned and operated a video-related business from his home and decided to go on vacation with his family.  He is a Twitter user and also has his own website for his business.  While on vacation, he sent Twitter messages out to his followers. When he returned home, he discovered that someone had burglarized his home and had stolen a lot of his video equipment.  An additional note:  he also had his own Flickr page where he had posted pictures of his computers, bicycles, his flat-screen television, and other related items.  It is not known for sure, but it is believed that the information that the businessman put on Twitter about being away from home and updates related to their vacation may have allowed the burglar to know when they would be returning home, and that the home was currently empty.