Minimizing the risk of security or safety issues on your property is a vital part of managing your local Trenton, NJ business. There may not always be obvious signs of a security threat, especially if your focus is on more urgent business matters. However, by being proactive in identifying vulnerabilities in your business’s protection, you can close these gaps before they threaten your commercial property’s future or the safety of your staff. Optimizing your security is one of the most effective investments you can make for your business, no matter what industry you’re involved in, whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for many years.
The following signs can help you determine whether better security is needed for your local business. If you’re still not sure of how to proceed, partnering with a local locksmith can assist you in navigating the process. The right locksmith will have the experience and training to perform a comprehensive evaluation of your commercial property’s current security and identify any vulnerabilities that may be putting your business at risk, as well as proposing the most cost-effective solutions for fixing them. Begin by reading through the following 6 signs and determining whether any are present at your business.
1. You’re experiencing consistent shortages. This could either be in the form of cash shortages at your registers or inventory counts coming up short. Cameras can be installed to monitor any area where cash exchanges hands, as well as all throughout your establishment if you’re experiencing inventory loss. This can be a warning sign of employee dishonesty. Even if you make it part of your hiring process to screen all potential employees for past misdeeds, not all criminals are caught and some can slip in under the radar. There are others who feel petty thefts aren’t that big of a deal. Loss prevention involves taking action as soon as a problem is identified.
2. Your property has been robbed or otherwise broken into. If your property has experienced a robbery or another crime recently, that’s obviously an extremely strong indication that your current protection is insufficient. Don’t just repair the locks or install a single camera and go about your business. Seriously consider the flaws in your business’s defenses that may have contributed to the criminal attack, and figure out ways of better protecting your assets, employees, and customers. While it’s never a business’s fault that they experienced a crime, being proactive about your security is essential nowadays.
Locksmiths can assist you by upgrading locks, installing an access control system, or outfitting your business with one or more commercial safes. The right locksmith will have access to the latest, cutting edge innovations in commercial security in order to optimize your business’s protection, no matter your budget or industry.
3. You’ve recently let go of a misbehaving employee. No one likes to think that their coworkers are capable of a crime, no matter how inept they may have been at their job. However, sometimes people leave with a grudge or find themselves in a desperate situation. It’s always best to take proactive steps in these situations. Ensure that the employee no longer has access to keys or that their access credentials are revoked. You may need to have your locks rekeyed as an additional step.
4. You have caught multiple shoplifters. Shoplifters, even if they’re caught before they reach the exit, can be a sign that your security may be too lax inside the store. Shoplifters prefer to do their work where there is no one watching, and look for “dead zones” where cameras can’t see their activity. Lowering the risk of shoplifting may include upgrading your camera system, using tag alarms on high-value items, and installing metal detectors by all of your exit doors. You may also want to consider hiring a security guard if the problem persists.
5. You have areas that should be off-limits to members of staff. If you have areas of your business, such as certain offices, that you want to be off-limits to lower members of your staff, it’s crucial to have them protected by more than just a physical lock and key. This is especially true if they contain access to sensitive data, such as personal information or financial records, and if your staff has a high rate of turnover. Investing in a card key reader system or another form of access control is usually the best course of action in these instances. A qualified commercial locksmith can assist you in determining the options that are available to your business.
6. You’ve suffered a data breech. Many small business owners assume that cybercriminals always target large firms for their activities, but that’s a risky belief. In fact, over half of all cyberattacks occur at small businesses. As technology continues to advance, many business owners are not aware of the risks and don’t have their data sufficiently protected. The cyber criminals search for unprotected networks that allow them to gain access to a company’s entire system. A data breech can greatly decrease customers’ trust in your company, especially when dealing with financial information. That’s why it’s crucial to upgrade your technological protection as soon as possible, especially right after a data breech.
How a Locksmith Can Help
Upgrading your security can be an intimidating prospect, especially with so many products on the market today claiming to give your defenses an unparalleled advantage. It’s essential to research your options, especially if you’re working with a limited budget. An experienced locksmith can be an invaluable asset in the process. A locksmith can offer you unbeatable expertise and knowledge that can assist you in narrowing down the most appropriate security upgrades for your specific commercial property. By choosing one trusted locksmith company to partner with, you’ll be able to optimize your business’s security now and into the future.