Dos and Don’ts of Office Building Security
Office buildings are prime targets for break-in, especially smaller buildings. It seems that thieves believe that smaller offices and businesses are less likely to be properly secured than larger ones,
and they may assume that your office building is an easy target. While there will always be criminals, there are things that you can do to ensure that your building, staff and other property remain safe and secure. The experts at Colorado Security Products can help with office building security.
Office Building Security Tips
DO: Consider the Exact Needs of Your Business
Security is not one-size-fits-all. Before you invest in anything, you need to carefully consider the unique needs of your office building as well as your business. A primary consideration is the location; if you are in an area with a high rate of break ins, you need more security than if you are in a relatively quiet area.
DON’T: Forget About the Potential for Inside Security Risks
When you’re thinking about securing your office building, you are likely primarily thinking about protecting it from outsiders. However, you should never forget about potential security risks within your business. You may trust your employees, but there is always a chance that someone could be up to no good. It’s always important to make sure that your assets are protected both from outside intruders and unscrupulous employees. Security cameras can help monitor this.
DO: Install Security Cameras, and Review Them Regularly
Security cameras are an effective way to keep an eye on what’s going on in your office building even when you are not there. In addition to potentially catching burglars in the act, a security camera can also alert you to inappropriate employee behavior, such as theft. When installing security cameras, there are a few legal issues to keep in mind, which brings us to…
DON’T: Install Security Cameras in Illegal Areas or Without Telling Employees
There are certain places that security cameras cannot be legally installed. You cannot place a security camera anywhere employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This means that you cannot install them in restrooms or fitting rooms. You should also let employees know that you are putting up cameras. While you may want to sneak them in to catch suspected problem employees in the act, letting them know is extremely important for legal reasons.
DO: Opt for Round-the-Clock Local Monitoring
Having a security system for your office building is great, but it doesn’t do nearly as much good if there is no one watching it. Non-monitored systems set off loud alarms and often turn on lights. While this is normally enough to scare off would-be intruders, it does not immediately notify law enforcement. When you opt for a monitored alarm system, a call center is contacted as soon as the alarm is triggered, and the police are notified. As an added bonus, your monitored alarm system may also include monitoring for emergencies like fires.
DON’T: Try to Secure Your Office Building Yourself
There are a lot of security products out there. From security cameras to devices that trip alarms when windows and doors are opened, it may seem like you can find everything you need to set up your own security system. While you certainly could put your own system together, it is unlikely that it will be of the same quality of a system installed and maintained by a security expert.
When you discuss your security needs with a professional at Colorado Security Products, you will learn exactly what is recommended for an office building such as yours in your general area. In addition to helping you find a security system that fits your budget, we will also provide you with expert insight on what components are best for your unique office building security needs.
Buying a security system yourself from a big box store does not allow you to customize the system to match your needs, and you could end up either spending additional money getting everything you need, or your office building could be under-secured. Lastly, when you work with a professional security company, you can rest assured knowing that all of the components of the system are set up in a way that is legal in your particular area.
Ultimately, securing a business should be tackled in three phases, which we’ll breifly cover here.
The Start Up Phase
When you are just starting out, cash flow is generally limited. You likely do not have a lot of resources during this phase, and you need to be careful when spending money. For many businesses, this means investing in minimal security.
Invest In
- Security Cameras at Points of Access and Inside if Possible
- VPN (Virtual Private Network) to Protect Your Internet Network
The Growth Phase
As your business begins to grow and has a steadier cash flow, you can start investing in additional security products.
Invest In
- More Security Cameras
- Access Control Systems
The Established Business Phase
Once your business is successful and you have substantially increased your cash flow, you can invest in more advanced security products.
Invest In
- Smart Locks & Thermostats
- Annual Security Audits
At Colorado Security Products, we specialize in advanced security systems for businesses. In addition to providing affordable and reliable security systems that are custom tailored to suit the exact needs of our clients, we offer local 24/7 monitoring.
To learn more about how Colorado Security Products can help secure your office building, please call 303-756-1000 now.