6 Ways to Protect Your Business from Theft

Some businesses are more vulnerable to theft than others, but ultimately, businesses of all sizes and in a variety of industries, can become targeted by thieves. However, there are a few simple but effective measures business owners can take to minimize the risk of theft, and help to keep employees, customers, and merchandise, safe:

Have an alarm system professionally installed

This should be your first line of defense against theft, and even if the alarm itself doesn’t deter a criminal from trying to gain entry to the premises, if they do break in, the alarm will immediately sound and alert you and the local police, to the fact that a crime may be underway.

Keep items of real importance in a commercial safe

A high security safe is one of the best and most secure places to keep important documents, wads of cash or any other smaller items of significance in your business, and it pays to invest in one with a fire rating, too, since fires are not an uncommon occurrence in many buildings throughout the US. 

Track all sets of keys

Keeping note of who has sets of keys to your place of business and limiting the number of people who do have them, is a great way of ensuring that the building isn’t susceptible to theft. If you want to control who has access to certain areas of your business, you could have an access control system professionally installed to prevent unwanted intrusions in areas where high value items or data are stored.

Carry out background checks on all employees

Whether it’s permanent employees, temporary workers, or contractors; background checks can highlight any issues surrounding fraud or theft that may be lurking in their history and help ensure that anyone who might be handling sensitive or high value information or items, is able to be trusted. While these checks can’t eliminate the threat of employee theft, it can help a great deal.

Install CCTV cameras

Providing businesses with around the clock video surveillance, images and recordings, not only can CCTV cameras act as a deterrent for criminals, but should you suffer an intrusion and/or theft, you can hand your camera evidence over to the police to help them apprehend the suspect(s).

Just be aware of where you can and cannot install cameras around your business and be mindful of privacy issues that may be present where employees are concerned.

Assess your exterior features and landscaping

Shadows and obstructions close to the entrance of your building, or close to any doors and windows, could give a burglar the cover they’re looking for. Also be mindful of storing garbage units close to the side of the building (or any other smaller but sturdy items) as an intruder could use these to climb onto and gain entry through a higher, less secure window or door.

With the addition of a high security commercial safe, background checks on employees and CCTV cameras among other safety precautions, you could help make sure your business attracts customers, and not thieves.