Offices can be a tempting target for thieves, particularly ones that have a lot of foot traffic in and out.

From serial thieves and temporary employees to cleaning staff or building visitors, your workplace may be more vulnerable than you think. Here are a few quick tips to consider on how to improve security for your office.

Audit your security

Before doing anything else, audit your security. Physically map out your facility and create a list of what needs to protected, what security measures are currently in place, and where you feel that your current security plan falls short. This will be invaluable in any discussion with a security systems vendor.

Controlled access 

Old-fashioned locks, even deadbolts, are not enough. Keys can be stolen or copied. Consider adding digital locks, or, better yet, an electronic access system to both outside and critical inside doors. This will control who can get into your facility, and what areas they can access once inside. A well-thought out access system can keep the bad guys out of your facility completely, or, if they manage to get into your facility, slow them down enough to keep them away from critical areas. And there are a wide variety of ways to control this access, such as PIN numbers, fingerprint readers, and magnetic strip or RFID cards. Your security vendor should be able to offer you a wide range of options.

Lock down your computers 

Computers and related equipment should be physically locked down using steel cables and cable locks. Most computers and laptops include a special security slot called a ‘Kensington slot’ that is specially made for the attachment of security cables. There are also a number of commercial options available to attach cable anchors to other equipment. If thieves can’t move your equipment, they can’t steal it. For extra protection, encrypt the hard drives on your computers so that no one can access the data if they are stolen.

Find the right security system and the right vendor 

At end of the day, your best protection against break-ins, theft, or vandalism is going to be a comprehensive security system that will monitor your facility and notify authorities when an incident occurs. Unfortunately, not all security companies are familiar with the special security needs of a commercial building or facility, and not all security systems are created equally. You will probably need to talk to several vendors before finding the right system for you. Vendors should be willing to tour your facility and discuss any concerns or special needs you may before offering a solution. Any vendor that offers a complete ‘out of the box’ solution without seeing exactly what your specific needs are should be avoided.

Contact us for more information on how to improve security at your facility or how you can include new security features in your office renovation.