/ By admin / business security/ 0 Comments

Why You Need A Layered Approach To Protect Your Business

protect your business

While investing in comprehensive perimeter security tools can have a financial impact on your business, failure to do so will almost always cost you more in the long run. With a recession looming and crime rates set to spike, it’s never been more important for UK businesses to firm up their defences and need a layered approach to protect your business.

Crime in the UK against businesses

Physical theft, burglary, arson, and cyber-attacks are just a few of the threats that brick-and-mortar businesses face. The latest Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) estimated that 38% of businesses operating in the wholesale and retail sector in England and Wales had recently fallen victim to crime. Worryingly, almost half of the respondents claimed to have witnessed an increase in violent crime since the beginning of the pandemic.

The right tools for the job

While there is a wide range of tools, equipment, and services out there to choose from, not all of them are created equally. Far too often, businesses invest in poorly designed equipment, and expensive technology that isn’t right for their situation or fail to consider the bigger picture of their overall security plan.

Developing a comprehensive security plan

For a security plan to work: there must be a symbiotic nature to an overarching plan. This means not only choosing the right tools for the job, but also considering how these products and services can help or hinder a particular outcome.

Risk assessments

Your starting point for any good plan of action should be, to begin with a comprehensive risk assessment. This enables you to develop a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of your current perimeter security. It should take into account the threats that you face, and relay concrete suggestions to counter them.

An experienced provider will be able to draw on previous case studies and examples to explain how and why particular products will benefit you. They will take time to understand how you work, and also any constraints (geographical, operational, or otherwise) that may affect your plan.

Making the most of technology

Technological advances are not only of benefit to the consumer market. Rapid growth in computer science and manufacturing has meant that equipment that was once reserved for the upper echelons, has now filtered its way down and is available to businesses at an affordable price. Fingerprint scanners, automatic number plate recognition systems, and robust anti-terrorism defences are just a few of the items that can now be integrated into plans.

Integration

It’s all well and good installing high-tech solutions, but they are just one part of a much bigger picture. These tools should be used to enhance or upgrade existing facilities, or to develop cornerstones of your plan – such as heavy-duty gates or barriers. It’s also critical to consider smaller touches such as security lighting, intercom systems, and key fobs that can all have a role to play in a thorough plan of action.

Here at Gateway Automation, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey. We also offer a nationwide reactive call-out service to deal with any equipment issues and are proud to be Gate Safe accredited. Call us today on 01522 682255 for more information.

/ By admin / access control • access control equipment • access control systems • unauthorised parking/ 0 Comments

Is Your Business At Risk For Unauthorised Access?

unauthorised access

No matter the size or stature of your business, preventing unauthorised access and entry to your site is likely one of your key objectives when it comes to security planning.

While no two businesses are ever the same, almost all will hold assets, data, money, or staff members that need to be protected from criminal activity. Failing to do so can result in serious financial damage, reputational impact, poor staff morale, and even litigation.

Let’s take a look at some of the risk factors, and how you can protect yourself, starting today.

What is Unauthorised Access?

Unauthorised access is the action of gaining entry to premises without the proper credentials or approval from those in charge of a building or site. Trespassers may include criminals looking to exploit a business, employees gaining access to areas they are not allowed, or simply members of the public who should be restricted from hazardous areas for their safety.

Dealing with Threats

Now that we understand what unauthorised access is. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that entry is commonly gained and in turn, how it can be prevented.

Tailgating

One of the most common ways that criminals gain access to properties is through tailgating. This is when an unauthorised person follows behind someone else who has gained access in a lawful manner – such as an employee or approved visitor. Tailgating can be prevented through the use of turnstiles, bollards, barriers, and gates.

Forced Entry

Another way that criminals gain entry is through brute force or opportunism. For example, a weak security door, an old and poorly maintained gate, or a window that has been left open. Here, it is important to not only have a robust security plan in place that employees know to follow (i.e. shutting windows and locking doors) but also that the integrity of your security equipment is high. Choosing high-quality, robust equipment, and ensuring that it is properly looked after is key.

Key Cloning

Keys can prove a headache for many businesses. Physical keys can be easily lost or even cloned to provide easy access to criminal gangs. To guard against this – you can take advantage of high-tech equipment such as biometric fingerprint readers, and automatic number plate recognition systems to accompany gates or barriers.

Insider Access

Unfortunately, a sad reality is that occasionally access is given to criminals by existing employees. They may be looking for a quick and easy financial payoff, or even be forced against their will to co-operate with criminal gangs. No one knows your operations better than your employees and so their knowledge can lead to a smooth experience for thieves and burglars. To prevent this, you should install interior access controls so that staff are afforded entry rights according to the needs of their role, and seniority.

If reading these scenarios, you feel that your business could be vulnerable, then you should waste no time in reaching out for support and advice. Here at Gateway Automation we regularly assess properties for risk making sure that they are adequately secured and recommending any ways that we think security could be improved. Call us today on 01522 682 255 to discuss how we can help to keep you safe.