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4 Signs your business premises needs perimeter protection

Signs your business premises needs perimeter protection

Almost every business owner out there knows that it pays to prepare for the worst. Whether investing in online security, insurance, or physical security protocols, it makes sense to act now rather than later and mitigate any unexpected problems that might occur.

If you’re unsure as to whether to make the commitment to a full perimeter security review and begin implementing tools like barriers, gates and turnstiles then here are four tell-tale signs that you need to act sooner rather than later.

1 – Crime in your area

One of the most common reasons that businesses turn to perimeter security providers is an upturn in crime locally. Crime begets crime and you’re more likely to be targeted if other businesses in your area have to.

If you’ve read reports of local crime against businesses or have noticed a surge change in crime figures, then you should already be building your defences.

2 – You’ve recently fallen victim to crime

Another common reason to invest in perimeter security measures is that a business has recently had a crime committed against them. In an ideal world, security measures are implemented pre-emptively, but this isn’t always the case. Criminals will often double back, or word will travel among underground networks highlighting a business as a “soft target”. For this reason, it’s imperative that businesses do a full post-mortem after an incident and work with a security provider to prevent future occurrences.

3 – You’ve noticed unusual things happening around your premises

Vigilance is one of the cornerstones of defending against crime. Both you and your employees need to be eagle-eyed when it comes to identifying anything unusual going on in and around your premises. Perhaps you’ve noticed strange vehicles driving at slow speeds around your site, unidentified people taking photographs, or you’ve had keys go missing. It often pays to listen to your gut, so act now and do a full review of your systems.

4 – You’ve found evidence of trespass

This does not apply to all businesses, but for many sites, especially those that are unoccupied – trespassing can be a real headache for property owners. Not only can trespass result in problems like littering, fly-tipping, damage to fixtures and fittings, and graffiti, but the more often it occurs the higher the chances of escalation to even more serious crimes like arson that can do permanent and lasting damage to your property. If you’ve found evidence of unauthorized visitors taking advantage of your property then you can’t afford to sit idly by.

It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to deciding which security strategies are going to be most effective at a site, which is why it is important, to begin with a risk assessment. Here at Gateway Automation, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security requirements. To find out more please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255.

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Maintain your security solutions with these easy steps

maintaining security solutions

Most business operators are well aware of the risks of crime. While a great deal can be done to help businesses establish a formidable barrier against potential threats, it’s key that they factor in maintenance and repairs into their plans.

Just like with almost all big purchases or investments (for instance, cars or houses) there are going to be times when you will need to invest in the upkeep and fix any potential problems before they grow out of control.

While you may be reluctant to spend more money on repairs or maintenance, it pays to be proactive and nipping issues in the bud early on can mean that you may avoid having to replace expensive equipment later on down the line.

Step one – identify the risks

Security equipment- in particular those housed outdoors – are subject to several risks of which you need to be aware. By identifying what they are, you can then put in place actions and habits that can help you mitigate them effectively.

Weather conditions are a common culprit for equipment failure. High winds, heavy snow, and rainfall can all lead to problems. Windy conditions may dislodge or break parts while heavy snow and rainfall can lead to build-ups of grime and dirt that can reduce the effectiveness of your equipment.

Another common problem for outdoor security tools is traffic. If a vehicle clips or crashes into a security tool like a gate, bollard, or barrier then it may again reduce the effectiveness of a piece of equipment or break it entirely.

Step two – establish a plan

Once you have identified the risks, it becomes much easier to begin planning how you will deal with any problems, and prevent any issues from arising.

You should create a comprehensive overview of all of your measures and tools, the potential problems that could crop up, and how you will deal with them.

In practical terms, this might mean creating a regular schedule of cleaning, making sure that items are fixed and secure, and periodically reviewing their operational effectiveness.

You should outline who is responsible for maintenance and reporting, how often duties should be carried out, and find a way to log what has been discovered.

Step three: Work with a trusted provider

The last and final step that you should consider when it comes to maintenance is to establish a relationship with a trusted provider. Some small maintenance tasks like cleaning and tightening bolts can be carried out by you or your employees with little training. However, there may be times when bigger, more complex repairs are needed.

If you find yourself in this situation then you will be faced with the possibility of halting your operations and dealing with financial losses or leaving your business exposed to criminal threats due to faulty equipment.

This is why we offer a nationwide reactive callout service with engineer response times of 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days meaning that we can get to you quickly to repair any damage and keep your business safe and secure.

To find out more about our servicing and repairs options, please visit https://www.gatewayautomation.co.uk/servicing/repairs/ or contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security needs.