Here are some tips that can help improve the physical security of your business. While all of these suggestions may not apply to every building they do offer practical steps you can take to help protect your people and assets.
1. Install Deadbolt Locks The deadbolt lock is a foundation block of physical security. It is one of the strongest and most common locking devices used on exterior doors. Home improvement and hardware stores offer them and professionals can advise and educate you about the best option for your locations.
2. Install a Professionally Monitored Alarm System Physical security is about creating layers of security to help defend against intruders. Measures such as deadbolt locks are designed to keep intruders out. The next line of defense is an electronic barrier that can quickly notify you and the authorities if someone overcomes the first layer of protection. A monitored alarm system can trigger a loud siren at the premises that will scare an intruder away. It can also notify the 24 hour a day monitoring center and law enforcement professionals.
4. Have an Electronic Access Control System Mechanical locks tell no tales. By upgrading your door locks with an Electronic Access Control System, you will gain a record of who opened, or attempted to open, every door. This information will be extremely helpful if you need to investigate a security breach. In addition, an EAC system lets you instantly add or delete electronic keys. This elimates your exposure due to lost or stolen keys, and also allows you to assign customized access privileges based on time, date, and authority level.
5. Use Video Surveillance Not only does a camera system improve your ability to monitor your premises, it can also provide useful evidence and information if you need to investigate an accident, attack, or theft. Security cameras are used for two basic purposes: investigation and deterrence. The images you collect with your security cameras can be used to review a crime or accident so that you can understand what really happened. But the cameras themselves also have a deterrent value. When people know they are being watched, they tend to be on their best behavior.
6. Establish a Key Control Policy If you don't know who is holding keys to your doors, or if keyholders can make duplicates without your permission, then you have a serious hole in your security plan. Once you have physically secured your doors, the next step is to keep them secure by establishing a key control policy.
7. Assign a Floor Marshall A Floor Marshall is a volunteer in your organization whose job it is to approach unrecognized visitors and make sure that they have a legimate purpose to be on your premises. A Floor Marshall also gives other employees a go-to person for reporting suspicious individuals.