Playing it safe: How to secure your commercial property

No matter the kind of business you operate, it's crucial to ensure that your Gold Coast property is well-secured and procedures are watertight. Your approach should incorporate physical locks and security systems, as well as ways of identifying risk and updating plans.

What are some ways to secure your business?

1. Carry out a risk assessment

It seems obvious, but does your risk assessment cover all the important points of business security? Consider what your most valuable assets are and therefore what carries the most risk, as they will be the items you really need to protect. Don't limit this to stock – it could be the building, IT systems or staff.

Next, identify where the risks come from. Is it nighttime thieves who will be looking for loose windows, or is it from customer theft? Knowing this will help you decide whether to focus on securing entry points or hiring a guard to be present during opening hours. 

Also keep an eye on local news so you can identify any crime trends that could affect your business security.

2. Secure the perimeter as well as the building

Depending on how much property your business occupies, it may be appropriate to look beyond the doors and windows when it comes to physical security. If you trade from within a shopping mall, find out how and when the main doors are secured. Businesses with outdoor space should check that outer walls and gates are as secure as they can be. Starting your security at the furthest point of your premises could deter someone from making any extra effort to break in.

If you're leasing premises and find broken doors or fences, contact your landlord or property management company immediately so they can organise repairs.

3. Install obvious deterrents

Businesses often opt for a mixture of alarm systems, video surveillance and security lights. Having these items visible from the outside can prevent someone from deciding to break-in at all. A large camera makes it very clear that you will try to identify them, while lights and alarm systems show that you take security seriously. Lights are especially important in dark, secluded entry points which may otherwise be obvious ways to get in.

Part of your risk assessment will have been deciding where your cameras need to face. If you can't cover all angles, investigate motion-sensing cameras that turn accordingly. It's also possible to sign up with security companies who will send someone to investigate if your alarms or cameras are triggered. Remember to change alarm codes on a regular basis too.

4. Operate a thorough sign-in system

Security threats are not limited to outside of the building. People who visit the premises pose a risk too. There should be a central point through which all visitors are funneled and asked to sign in, so you know exactly who has been on site if anything goes missing. 

It is worth subjecting new staff to security checks and referencing too, in case they have a dubious history.

5. Keep tabs on your stock

Knowing what you have, and where it is, can help you to ensure your risk procedures are up-to-date. In larger businesses, the person conducting risk assessments may not be aware of new and valuable assets, or the recent stock move around. Putting systems in place to keep track of what moves in and out of the building can flag security needs. In the unfortunate event that someone does break in to your property, it also helps you to identify losses and notify police.

It may seem obvious, but it's important to regularly review your systems too. Keep tabs on anything that has broken, or if the way you use your premises has changed since your last risk assessment. 

To find your new commercial premises, or to talk about our Gold Coast property management, contact the Ray White Surfers Paradise team today.