The Personal Touch

Small Business Security Tips

Protecting the inventory and employees at a small business is a crucial part of your company’s long term success. No matter what type of business you have, there are four basic security rules that can help you protect yourself.

Remove the Opportunity

When your security system is installed, your technician will apply window decals to let potential thieves know you have a working security system. Check your decals to be sure they are not peeling and do not look worn. If your decals are not recent, a burglar might question whether or not your security system is active. Feel free to contact us if you need new decals.

Be sure to light all entranceways to your business and the interior of your business at night. More than 60 percent of all business break-ins occur at night. If a burglar can be seen from the outside, they are much less likely to enter your business.

Install window locks that cannot be reached from someone on the outside who has broken the glass. If your window locks can easily be reached after a window is broken, consider adding glass break sensors to your security system. These unobtrusive sensors will help detect break-ins before a thief is even inside your business.

Remember, that not all thieves come from the outside. Employees have easy access to your cash and inventory and a working knowledge of your security system. Screen your employees to be sure you have the right people and let them know you can monitor their actions. One of the simplest steps you can take is to always have at least two employees in your facility at all times.

Detect Break-ins

An up to date security system is your best defense once someone has broken into your business. Contact sensors that can detect the opening of doors and windows are the best place to start. In addition, glass break sensors, internal or external motion detectors, and CCTV systems can help you detect intruders quickly.

Establish an Audit Trail

Using a card access system instead of traditional keys will allow you to know who has entered and exited your building at all times. Card access systems can also allow some employees to enter restricted areas (such as cash rooms) and prevent other employees from gaining access to these areas. Coupling a card access system with a CCTV system is a very strong deterrent against employee theft. CCTV is also very helpful if break-ins occur as they will record the activity that takes place during the break-in.

Mitigate Losses

If a break-in does occur, or an employee does start to steal from you, it is important to minimize the damage as quickly as possible. For break-ins from the outside, an audible siren that tells people inside and outside your business that the alarm has been activated is sometimes enough to prevent a burglar from following through with their intent to steal from you. For internal theft, the audit trail created by using access cards and CCTV will give you the evidence you need to confront an employee sooner rather than later.

To learn more about how Sentry Security can help you prevent theft at your particular business, contact one of our security specialists. Whether your are an existing customer or a new one, we are always happy to help you find ways to protect your valuables!