/ By Gateway Team / access control • automatic barriers • automatic gates • barriers • bollards • business security • perimeter security • physical security/ 0 Comments

Questions to ask when choosing physical security

SecurityIf you’re reading this blog; then the chances are that you have identified perimeter security as an area of your business that needs to be addressed. Like many businesses, you may be concerned about the massive derailment of operations that can result from a serious security breach. If this is the case then read on to discover how perimeter security is fundamental to safeguarding your income, reputation, and peace of mind. And importantly, what questions you should ask when discussing your needs with a provider.

Whether in the middle of a recession, or in times of prosperity, crime remains a constant source of worry for many businesses up and down the UK. Even the most minor security breaches can result in repairs, losses of income, delays to operations, and can be a detriment to the confidence of customers and shareholders.

What is perimeter security?

Perimeter security entails the protection of your buildings and assets through the deployment of tools and equipment designed to limit access, deter criminals, and ultimately safeguard your property. However, before you begin planning, or reviewing your current measures, you should ensure that you have a good understanding of which measures will be right for your business.

How is my business different?

One size doesn’t always fit all. One of the most common sources of headaches for businesses that we discover in conversation comes from a lack of personalisation. Without a proper understanding of their operations, owners may be “upsold” to products that are either not suited to their particular type of business, or that they don’t need at all. This is why you should always seek out an experienced supplier and discuss with them how your business works and what needs you have. Afterall, no one knows your business as well as you.

What are my current security protocols?

It is rare to find a business that hasn’t at least invested in some rudimentary forms of physical security. However, there may be blind spots in your current blueprints that need to be addressed. It is important to identify weaknesses in your current strategy, as this is exactly what criminals will aim to do. If you can beat them to the mark, then you stand a good chance of deterring them from ever trying to take advantage.

How up to date are my current measures?

Like owning a car or a computer, security measures sometimes need to be reviewed and replaced. While products may be well built, time can wear on some, and repairs might be required to maintain their effectiveness. Equally, advances in technology may mean that your current measures are now outdated and need to be upgraded with advancements such as biometrics.

How do I build a strong perimeter?

To adequately protect your business, you need to start from the outside in. In the same way that castles would rely on drawbridges to keep safe, you too need to consider your entry and exit points.

Gates are one of the strongest forms of physical security out there and offer up both a physical and mental barrier that can upset criminal plans. Installed with thought and care, and given proper levels of maintenance – swing gates, sliding gates, and bi-folding gates should be a cornerstone of any physical security approach. Other fundamentals of external security include security posts, bollards, and outdoor turnstiles which provide effective solutions in specific environments.

How do I manage vehicular access?

Unwanted vehicles can be another sore point for some businesses. This may come in the form of unwanted heavy goods vehicles, caravans, or other unauthorised visitors. At the same time, vehicles can be a powerful tool for criminals, allowing them to use brute force to enter sites, or providing them with means of escape.

To combat this, businesses can employ a range of measures. Height restrictor barriers are often seen in car parks to block access to specific types of vehicles, while allowing permitted ones to enter. Security posts offer versatility in blocking access at specific times of the day, such as when your business is closed. Elsewhere, speed ramps can be used to reduce traffic speed, and automatic rising kerbs can be used to inhibit access in a formidable way.

What about internal security?

While a great amount of thought is often put into external security, there is an ever-growing need to address internal measures. In specific sites, entry may be granted freely, which means that there is a risk of visitors obtaining access to areas that need to be restricted. Equally, you may have high-value assets that need to be accessible by specific staff members only. Adopting tools like turnstiles and access control equipment can be a good place to start.

How do I know I’m making the right choice?

A quality supplier should leave you with no doubts about the options available to your business, and which tools should be used in cracking down on crime. A comprehensive risk assessment can be undertaken to address weaknesses and advise on the best course of action.

Here at Gateway Automation we provide you with a free, no-obligation risk assessment, feasibility survey, and quotation process free of charge. We also provide a nationwide reactive callout service with engineer response times of 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days. This means any problems can be addressed in a timely fashion, and disruption can be kept to a minimum.

For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • CCTV • perimeter security • school • school security/ 0 Comments

7 Security Measures for Schools

School Slow Traffic Warning SignWhilst schools are a place of learning, they are also at risk of potential crimes and therefore robust security measures need to be put in place. Here, we discuss 7 security measures for schools. 

Have access control 

Access control measures are a great way to ensure the flow of people into the school is limited. Having keypads at entrances to buildings that require a pin code or an ID badge can help keep track of who is in a building at any one time. Access control cards can also be assigned to students as well as staff. This will create even greater control of who is on-site at any given moment.

Use signs effectively 

It has been proven that barriers, gates, and other perimeter security measures can be complemented with the effective use of signs. These signs can be used to not only deter criminals (For example, by installing signs that state CCTV cameras are in action on-site) but, can also highlight exits in cases of emergency, keeping everyone safe and aware of what to do in an emergency.

Ensure the perimeter is secure 

It is vital that the entire perimeter of a school is protected. Perimeter security measures such as barriers, gates, and turnstiles can all be used effectively to ensure there are no easy access points. Assess the perimeter on a regular basis to check there are do damaged areas to the perimeter. For example, check for any holes in fences or any weak points that need to be repaired. 

Try and install metal gates and fences where possible as although they are more costly, they will last longer when properly maintained.

Consider having a gated entrance, ideally one that requires keypad or swipe card entry. Although during peak times such as the start or end of the day, the gate may have to be left open, having the added gate protection can help staff feel safe when they are leaving work after the children have gone home.

Although securing the perimeter is vital, whatever is installed needs to be able to unlock in case of emergencies when an alarm is triggered, so bear this in mind.

CCTV

Install CCTV in key areas, for example where high-value items such as computers and money are kept. Having this extra layer of security helps protect the higher risk areas. Although the CCTV footage may not be reviewed regularly, it is invaluable to consult after an incident such as theft, fires or vandalism. 

Keep track of visitors 

Ensure all visitors naturally have to walk past the reception of the school. Try and limit the places on the school grounds that a visitor can access without temporary access cards. Keeping access limited will help stop unauthorised personnel from being able to wander around the school site.

Install security lighting 

During the colder, darker months, it is always a good idea to install security lighting through the site. Especially near playgrounds and footpaths to ensure accidents and trips are avoided and the staff and students feel safe walking around outside.

Carry out regular risk assessments

Security requirements will inevitably change over time. More security solutions will be available and the needs of the school may alter. Therefore, you should assign someone to be in charge of assessing the site. Alternatively, you can hire a security company to come in to carry out the risk assessment. The benefit of using someone external is the fresh eyes and new perspective they can provide.

Enforcing these measures will help create a safe environment that will benefit the staff and students alike. By have strictly enforced security measures like the ones discussed above ensures that learning can take place without being disruptive, there is higher morale, less cost in the long run as theft and other criminal damage will be reduced. In addition to this, schools that can be clearly seen putting safety as a key priority will gain a great reputation which will benefit the school for years to come.

What’s Next? 

For more information on how Gateway Automation can help keep your premises secure, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment. 

/ By Gateway Team / perimeter security • physical security/ 0 Comments

Maintaining Perimeter Security- Why it is important

Maintaining Perimeter SecurityHaving strong physical security is really important for businesses, especially if they put perimeter security measures in place as a priority. However, once the perimeter security is installed, it is not finished. Maintaining perimeter security to ensure it remains fit for purpose is an ongoing process that goes way beyond the initial installation. Here, we discuss the importance of maintaining perimeter security.

Once your business has invested in high quality, robust perimeter and other forms of physical security, it can be easy to think the job has done. However, if the security is not regularly maintained, it can cause significant problems down the line.

In order to ensure that the security remains as strong as possible, it is important to carry out regular site audits. These audits tend to be carried out on foot and explores all the possible risks.

During these on foot inspections, issues can easily be spotted. Although a business may be active in keeping their security maintained, there are some elements that will be out of their control but could jeopardise their security. For example, weather damage can be a common cause of security damage as overtime corrosion can take place or cracks can occur.

Before gates, barriers and turnstile are installed, they will, of course, go through significant testing to ensure they are sturdy and provide sufficient security. However, as with anything, over time the quality can slowly diminish if it is not maintained with care.

Every now and then, businesses should get all of their security inspected. This inspection will include checking the equipment in detail, testing it robustly and repairing where possible. All of these actions will help ensure that the security lasts for much longer whilst providing the same level of protection until the next inspection takes place.

By inspecting regularly, businesses can avoid unexpected faults which can cause larger problems. Although there are costs associated with inspecting and repairing, these costs can be significantly lower than those companies may incur if they do not maintain their security at all.

It is also vital to have security in the best possible condition to comply with a business’ insurance. If security is lax due to not taking enough care maintaining the quality of the security could lead to any future insurance claims being denied.
It is important to recognise that installing perimeter security is not enough. Not only should a layered security approach be taken and mix perimeter security with other forms of physical security such as access control equipment and CCTV, it is just as vital to maintain perimeter security. If businesses fail to do so, they could end up with repair issues that are expensive to fix, or, worst-case scenario, end up with significant security breaches which will be even more costly in the long run.

Perimeter security is the first line of defence for many companies. Therefore, if this is not maintained at a high standard, it can compromise the rest of the security system and not only put the company’s building and contents at risk, it can also lead to potential dangers to staff. It is imperative to choose someone who is qualified to carry out these inspections on the businesses behalf. 

Gateway Automation is proud to not only offer manufacturing and installation of perimeter security systems but also offer a range of servicing and repairs to clients to ensure their security remains as strong as possible.

What’s Next?
For more information on how Gateway Automation can help keep your premises secure, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • perimeter security • physical security • security/ 0 Comments

Why physical security is just as important as cyber security

It is common and smart for businesses to focus a lot of their attention on cyber security. With almost all businesses now using some sort of computers, the risks of cyber threats and protecting sensitive data is vital. However, it is also important for business not to let this focus on cyber security make them forget the need for physical security, which is just as important and can actually help towards cyber security at the same time. Here are just a few ways in which physical security is just as important for a business.

Perimeter security acts as a deterrent for unwanted visitors
The simplest form of physical security is using a form of perimeter security such as gates and fencing. Not only do these acts as a deterrent for people entering the businesses’ property unauthorised, it gives the business full control over who comes into your building and who doesn’t, reducing the risk of unauthorised people getting close to sensitive company data.

Physical security can help protect your servers
Keeping your servers in a separate room that only authorised people with access control can enter will help protect your cyber security. Knowing that unauthorised personnel cannot come near your IT infrastructure will give you peace of mind. Although remote access from unauthorised hackers is still a risk, ensuring they cannot physically get near your IT systems reduces the risk of information being stolen.

Criminals tend to look for IT systems first as they are valuable and contain important and sensitive information. Having access-controlled doors or gates will make it very difficult for the criminals to access.

Access Control
Using key cards and entry codes are just some of the most effective methods to ensure the correct people are entering your business, leaving rare opportunities for criminals to get access to your valuable equipment and information.

Security Guard
Sometimes having a person alongside your perimeter security will add an extra layer of security which could benefit your business greatly. Having someone to open and close the perimeter will ensure only authorised people can enter, it means your property is protected and also means there is someone there to take action if anything bad were to happen.

Creates a strong sense of security for staff
Although firewalls and encryption software are vital for businesses, having physical security alongside this will ensure all the staff and visitors feel secure whilst they are on your property. This leads to happier staff and can improve staff retention.

Although cyber security will rightfully continue to be a priority for businesses, forgetting about physical security or overlooking its importance would be a mistake. They can be used together as part of a security suite to ensure your premises and the information it contains remains as safe as possible.

To find out more about how our forms of physical security systems and devices can help you protect your business, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your security equipment.

/ By Gateway Team / automated gates • bi-folding gates • biometric security • business security • gates • perimeter security • security • security posts • swinging gates • turnstiles/ 0 Comments

4 main methods of securing your business more effectively

When it comes to keeping your business secure, many business owners think they have it all covered. However, with crime rates on the up, there is little room for doubt these days. Here are some commonly utilised forms of perimeter security that your business should seriously consider adopting if it hasn’t already done so.

Gates
While it may sound obvious, the first place that needs to be secure is the entrance way. You would not believe how many people forget about securing this first entrance point to their premises. It is the first point of contact with anyone that visits or comes onto your site, so it needs to be majorly secure in order to prevent any unwanted access. This is where automated security gates come in perfectly, whether it be automatic swinging gates to bi-folding speed gates, they will all do the job of helping your premises become a more secure location.

Security posts
Security posts are great for any business or even retail store. They hold a simplistic design but can have such a powerful and secure impact. How you might say? Well, although they may be simple, their solid structure can stop a lot of vandalism and damage to your business. It can stop things such as ram raids and burglaries from occurring as it will prevent anyone from being able to hit your business with a heavy vehicle trying to gain access. Even with the plethora of different options available today, security posts are still one of the best methods to secure your business.

Turnstiles
When it comes to turnstiles, the first thing that usually comes to mind is football grounds and sports grounds, where you must go through them with a ticket or card in order to access the ground. Well, they are also great for businesses, mainly large businesses that have a lot of employees that come through the door each day. A turnstile helps to prevent unwanted access from anyone that is not meant to be there and only allows employees and authorised access through. This would therefore allow your business to be fully secure as you know that everyone that passes through it is meant to be there.

Biometrics
Biomet-what? Never heard of it? Well biometric security involves measuring unique characteristics of a person, such as fingerprints, voice etc. meaning it is one of the most secure methods you can get for your business. Having this within your business will allow for maximum security as it will only allow people in with those unique characteristics assigned to them. For example, people may have to sign in with their fingerprint, so you know anyone who is not meant to be there will not be able to gain access due to this high-tech security system in place.

There are many methods out there nowadays that can help keep your business secure, but the four main methods explained in this blog are the ones you want to be investing in first to ensure your business is as secure as it can be.

/ By Gateway Team / airport security • bank security • embassy security • military base security • perimeter security/ 0 Comments

Perimeter security for high-profile sites

gateway blog 103 high profile sitesAll forms of commercial and industrial premises can benefit from some type of access control or perimeter security equipment. However, there are some sites and buildings which are particularly in need of high-quality protection. Due to the nature of their work, sites such as embassies, airports, military bases and banks require advanced forms of protection beyond the norm. Here at Gateway Automation we have several products which can be more than useful in these types of environments.

One of the toughest security solutions that we provide is the GA80000 Automatic Rising Kerb. A formidable first line of defence against unwanted vehicle access, it is a strong visible deterrent with yellow and black warning stripes and tall stature to stop cars, vans and lorries.

We also offer anti-terrorism bollards and impressive crash-tested road blockers to deal with potential terrorist attacks aimed at disrupting UK infrastructure.

Barriers are an important way of controlling access to only authorised and scheduled visitors. We provide fully automatic barriers that can be controlled by push-buttons, tokens, proximity cards, pins, CCTV or by on-site security guards.

Swing gates, sliding gates and bi-folding gates are among the strongest barriers to unauthorised entry and a strong physical deterrent.

Gateway Automation can help businesses and organisations to protect their assets from serious crime with minimum disruption and while maintaining safe and comfortable working environments for clients, contractors, customers and other highly important individuals. For a free non-obligation quotation and feasibility survey please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255. Alternatively, download our brochure

/ By Gateway Team / catalytic converter • catalytic converter theft • perimeter security/ 0 Comments

Protecting businesses from catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converter theftA recent catalytic converter theft at a food distribution firm in Lincolnshire has highlighted the importance of perimeter security for businesses.

A theft of catalytic converters of 15 Mercedes delivery vans at a food distributor in Grimsby has had a damaging effect on their business. The food distribution firm suffered an organised and highly systematic raid on their business site in which catalytic converters from 15 of its vans were stolen.

The thieves used high power tools such as a battery-powered grinder to remove the converters from the vans. The theft resulted in the family-run business being unable to distribute their goods for a week and incurring serious financial costs in the tens of thousands to repair the damage done.

Thieves are attracted to catalytic converters found on vehicles due to the high prices that can be sought for the precious metals they contain – including rhodium, palladium and platinum which can be reused in jewellery, dentistry and even electronics.

Businesses such as the one in Grimsby are often targeted by professional gangs in the night due to their relative isolation in industrial estates – especially at night time. However, these types of crimes are far from unorganised and gangs will often scope out their targets in advance, so businesses which have strong perimeter security tools in place are less likely to fall prey to them.

Whether your business operates from commercial, industrial or retail premises, Gateway Automation provides a variety of security solutions and can provide you with a free, no obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your security requirements.

Gateway Automation provide a range of perimeter security systems to help businesses and individuals to secure their sites and also provides nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers and other perimeter security equipment. To find out more, please contact us on 01522 68255 or download our free brochure

/ By Gateway Team / perimeter security • risk assessment • security/ 0 Comments

Smart perimeter security solutions for busy business owners

smart perimeter security solutions for busy business ownersWith rising crime rates and cuts to police budgets, many business owners are rightly concerned as to the effectiveness of relying solely on public services to protect their businesses from criminals.

Criminals are quite aware of the state of play and are becoming increasingly brazen in their attempts to target businesses in a wide range of industries.

However, when it comes to putting in place uncompromising security solutions, many business owners either don’t know where to start or simply don’t have the time to think about it. While this is true, securing your business is of utmost importance in 2019 and doesn’t necessarily need to be a drain on time and resources.

The first step to take is to ask a professional and experienced company to undertake a full risk assessment. Here at Gateway, rather than relying on guesswork, we use our knowledge and expertise built up over 40 years to determine the best products and services to shield you from crime.

Taking in the needs, processes and operational style of your business, a risk assessment helps create a security solution that works for your business. We look at your organisation and how it operates, what threats you face and the constraints of your location, buildings or other factors to help you and your employees to feel safe and secure in the face of criminal activity.

We provide a range of products to help businesses and individuals to secure their sites and also provide nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers and other perimeter security equipment. Our customers include businesses operating in the following sectors:

  • Hotel & Leisure
  • Construction & Property Management
  • Banking & Finance
  • Commercial & Retail Centres
  • Transport, Ports & Distribution
  • Logistics
  • Government & Defence
  • Criminal Justice (Law Courts etc)
  • Universities, Colleges & Schools

Whether your business runs from small retail premises or a large industrial site, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation risk assessment, feasibility survey and quotation to assess your perimeter security requirements. For more information or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • gates • perimeter security • pharmaceutical • risk assessment • security • turnstiles/ 0 Comments

Perimeter security planning for the pharmaceutical industry

Two Engineers/ Scientists/ Technicians in Sterile Cleanroom Suits Use Microscopes for Component Adjustment and Research. They Work in an Electronic Components Manufacturing Factory.From corporate espionage and tampering to organised crime and terrorism – the pharmaceutical industry faces a great many threats in the modern world. In such a competitive market any disruption to your business can mean lost contracts and serious damage to your reputation. Protection against these threats must come in the form of a wholly rounded approach to security, but it begins with good perimeter security planning.

Perimeter security tips

After using a risk assessment to discover the potential threats against a company (warehouse, research facilities or HQ) and revealing blind-spots and weakness, a plan must be developed to restrict access to only approved visitors.

Each building will of course be unique and have its own set of challenges, however many of the fundamentals will remain the same. Controlling access requires an understanding of how the building operates, the threats it faces and how to overcome them. This can be developed through a thorough risk assessment and series of discussions.

Access control plays a key part in developing security for a site. Starting outside the building, heavy duty gates can be used to control or prevent pedestrian and vehicular access and send a strong visual signal to anyone seeking to infiltrate the building. Heavy duty gates act as a deterrent around the clock, but during daylight hours you can also use turnstiles to control exit and entry and monitor who is coming and going.

Vehicular access can also be slowed and restricted through the use of tools like security posts, speed ramps, flow control plates and automatic rising kerbs.

Many facilities in the pharmaceutical industry will have hundreds of visitors every day. They may equally have hundreds of employees travelling around the building. Such a high volume of people can pose security risks and it can be quite easy without the proper checks in place for them to gain access to controlled areas. You can give appropriate access through the use of biometric access control equipment like fingerprint identification, smart cards and other tools.

Get in touch

Arranging effective perimeter security is not something that you should go at alone. No matter the size or nature of your businesses, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organisation. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • gates • perimeter security • risk assessments • turnstiles/ 0 Comments

Perimeter security for beginners

Back CameraPerhaps your business has recently become a victim of physical crime, or maybe you are concerned that it may happen in the near future?

Whatever your motivation for wanting to improve security at your premises, there are lots of ways that you can do so. Here we will look at some of the most effective forms of perimeter security on the market today.

What is perimeter security?

For businesses in the UK, security should play a critical role in their activities. Whilst it’s easy to take a laid-back approach to your security protocol and think that it will never happen to you, in reality crime rates are on the rise with many businesses targeted with arson, trespass, criminal damage and burglary every year. So, it pays to be cautious.

Perimeter security is defined as a wide variety of tools, systems and approaches that come together to prevent unauthorised and unlawful access to your business premises. Let’s look at some of the most effective forms of perimeter security that we recommend here at Gateway Automation.

Risk Assessments

The number one place to start with perimeter security is to have a full risk assessment carried out. This way you can work out which parts of your site are potentially vulnerable and need to be protected and monitored. Many companies skip this part and end up wasting money on ineffective security systems.

Heavy duty gates

One common security tool that we advise businesses start with is a pair of heavy duty gates. Gates not only provide a practical tool in controlling or preventing pedestrian and vehicular access, but they also send out a strong signal to opportunistic criminals that your site is well fortified and not worth the time and effort it would take to break in and out again. We provide a wide range of Automatic, Bi-Folding, Cantilever and Manual swing gates.

Turnstile Security

Security doesn’t just mean locking the doors when you leave. A large amount of crime against businesses actually happens during daylight hours too. If you want to protect your building internally then you need to have good systems built-in to control access to purely authorised visitors only. Turnstiles provide a robust and secure method of controlling the entry and exit of employees and visitors to your site without the need for employing costly security or reception personnel.

Access Control Equipment

Another form of internal security that businesses should not overlook is that of access control equipment. Access control equipment can be added to doors with proximity devices, intercoms, keypads and even specialist fingerprint readers that limit access to whoever you decide. It can be tailored to lock down an entire site or simply specific areas that you want to keep safe.

Managing vehicular access

A key role that perimeter security plays beyond managing pedestrian traffic is that of preventing unwanted vehicles from entering your premises. Tools like security posts can be used which can be raised or lowered from the ground at specific times of the day, speed ramps can be used to reduce the speed of vehicles, flow control plates can guide traffic in specific directions and automatic rising kerbs can provide a heavy-duty ‘door stop’ to shut off access to car parks, loading bays and other restricted areas upon demand.

Barriers are also a commonly used tool to protect commercial sites and come in a range of styles from automatic barriers that can be controlled by security guards, CCTV, proximity cards, push buttons and tokens, to height restrictor barriers used to prevent large vehicles from illegally entering warehouses, garages and buildings to manual barriers which can be physically fixed in place upon demand.

Get in touch

Arranging effective perimeter security is not something that you should go at alone. No matter the size or nature of your businesses, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organisation. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.