How To Make Your Business Less Appealing To Burglars

A security system can provide an astounding amount of defense and utility to your business.  Electronic locks and key card reading provide utility and functionality as well as increased defense.  Surveillance can help identify external threats like burglars, vandals, and arsonists, as well as internal threats such as employee theft.  The benefits are practically essential.  A reliable security system is even the most efficient way to deter crime from your business.  Tragically, there is no system that can guarantee your business is never targeted, but there are additional ways you can dissuade criminals from targeting you.  

A security system is the largest source of dissuasion when it comes to criminals targeting your business.  For that reason, it’s best that you make it clear you have a security provider.  Placing a sign somewhere in the yard of your business and having decals on windows and entrances to your business will give most criminals sufficient motivation to find a new target.  

Unlike a security system, these signs aren't much to dissuade criminals. However, they do give law enforcement probable cause to question suspicious individuals who are on your grounds. It may not seem like much, but it works well in conjunction with many other steps you can take on this list, it's cheap, and it requires very little effort.

This is a very crucial step you can take to improve security. You want to keep the exterior of your business well-lit so it is visible to the public. Attention is a criminal's kryptonite. If they can't find a way to go about committing their actions without detection, they are far less likely to choose your business as a target.

Landscaping also plays an important role in this tip. Improperly placed trees, shrubs, or fencing can provide criminals with ample amounts of cover that allows them to move around undetected.  If you are planning on doing landscaping for your business, or revising current landscaping, make sure that you’re creating a layout that doesn’t provide much cover.  Avoid covering up windows and try to keep in shrubs no higher than 42 inches.  Having trees near your building is also inadvisable as it can provide criminals easier access to rooftops which are ideal for break-ins.

This may seem minor but can be extremely helpful.  Keeping your address clearly visible from the street means that law enforcement, fire services, or EMS responders will be able to quickly find your location. In an emergency, minutes, or even seconds, can make all the difference.  

Ditching your mechanical lock-and-key system in favor of electronic key cards and readers isn’t just practical, it’s effective.  With key cards, you can program customized allowances for select authorized individuals, deciding who has access to what parts of your business.  It’s also possible to set time frames in which certain key cars will work on certain doors.  Additionally, keys are less effective for security.  If they are lost or stolen, they place your business at far more of a risk, plus you have to go through the lengthy and expensive procedure or re-keying all of your doors.  A key card and electronic lock can be altered with far less time or effort.  

Having a strategy to deal with any crime or disaster that may occur during operational hours can make a difference in an emergency.  Having a security conscious staff that can react in a time of crisis can help keep your employees, clients, and business safe.  Take some time to develop a plan with your crew and set aside some time to practice it.  In the event of a fire, break-in, or natural disaster, practice and planning can make all the difference for your team. 

Taking the right steps, with the right security system, and a properly trained staff can make your business formidable enough to steer away most threats your business could face.  If you haven’t already, start taking the necessary precautions today!