Content Attributes
When you get into commercial real estate, it is critical to ensure that your property and contents are secure. In the modern world, break-ins can lead to more than just physical damage and theft. Your digital data may also be compromised if hard drives and other tech accessories are taken.
The great news is that there are plenty of strategies to help you keep your commercial property safe and secure. The following five tips are great place to start:
1. Perform A Risk Assessment
One of the best ways to understand your property’s security requirements is to do a risk assessment, which includes gathering the following information:
- Ask staff for their opinions on potential threats and ways to mitigate them;
- Have cybersecurity experts discuss online security with you;
- Get to know the local business community, so you have an idea of the kind of criminal activity occurring nearby and how to protect yourself against it;
- Do a physical risk assessment to see which areas of the premises are most likely to be ‘weak spots’ thieves will target
- Consider hiring a security company for a professional site assessment;
- Speak to the local police force about how to improve the security of your commercial property.
2. Invest In Cybersecurity
In 2020, the average cost of a data breaches across industries was $4 million US dollars. With that in mind, antivirus software, firewalls, encryption, and other online security measures must be a top priority for every responsible business owner. Physical barrier protection – such as safes or lockboxes – is also worth considering. This can help you protect sensitive data held on physical hard drives and USBs.
3. Consider Using Deterrents
Prevention is always better than cure, so deterrents are a great way to help prevent break-ins from happening in the first place.
If you are one of the 25% of people without a security system currently in place, consider using a fake alarm system in the meantime. The trick is to make sure signage and cameras are visible, whether the system functions or not.
Sometimes, even the perception of CCTV and an alarm can be enough to scare off any would-be intruders. Displaying large, prominent signs about security on-site can also ward off trespassers. However, there is no substitute for a high-quality protection system that includes physical barriers, CCTV, sensors, and alarms.
4. Change The Locks
If your commercial property is tenanted, it is wise to change the locks after tenants move out. You never know who could get hold of keys to copy, giving easy access to those looking to break in and potentially damage the property.
It is also crucial to be extra vigilant when your commercial property is vacant. A majority of reported property crimes in the US occur when a property is empty. Changing locks between tenancy and providing keys only to those who need them is a simple but effective way to secure your commercial property.
4. Prioritize Your Safety
Violent crimes are on the rise. So, it’s essential not to put yourself in danger trying to protect your commercial property. If you’re using CCTV and remote monitoring to track criminal activity, it can be tempting to deal with intruders yourself. However, it’s essential to alert the police if anything happens. Never attempt to intervene when an attempted break-in occurs.
With the proper deterrents and physical and digital barriers in place, you can keep your commercial property safe and secure for total investment protection.