It’s an unfortunate reality that every type of business needs some kind of security to keep it safe from vandals and criminals in order to protect livelihoods and safeguard jobs. But how do you go about making sure you have what you need to do the job? Here are some tips.
1. Assess
Your first priority should be to conduct a risk assessment. What are the main threats to your premises? Once you’ve identified the kind of behaviour you want to prevent, you need to specify a solution. If theft of cash or goods is a problem, you might want to think about CCTV to monitor access points, or collect evidence if a crime is committed. You could also consider seismic monitoring, to get early warning of persons climbing on roofs or accessing buildings out of hours. Similarly, if you’re worried about access to restricted areas, electric fencing can prove effective at deterring would-be trespassers.
2. Avoid
There are many easy mistakes that can render a security system useless. Simple things like a tall tree close to a perimeter or loose earth can allow people to climb over or dig under a barrier, as can loose objects, like bins or building equipment. If you don’t have enough storage space on your computer, crucial CCTV evidence can be missed, and if you only have access to mains power a criminal can disable your security with ease. It’s important to consider what can go wrong and come up with plans to mitigate it – either with more robust security or remedial measures, such as a backup generator.
3. Maintain
Even the best security systems require maintenance and monitoring to be effective, whether that’s CCTV, a proximity alarm or fencing. This can be expensive, so it’s often best to go with a solution that requires as little of both as possible, to save your stretched resources. A Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) helps with both, allowing you to constantly monitor your whole perimeter, as well as identifying gaps, whether they’re caused by a criminal or a fault in your security system – a fallen branch, a hole in a fence or a curious animal.
Whatever your security needs, it’s always best to get professional advice. From electric fences to alarm monitoring and control, get in touch with Harper Chalice to see how we can help you at www.harperchalice.com.
