/ By Gateway Team / automatic barriers • barriers • bi-folding gates • bollards • car park security • gates • height restrictor barriers • manual barriers • perimeter security • sliding gates • swing gates • unauthorised parking/ 0 Comments

How to tackle the problem of unauthorised parking

clip_image002With an ever increasing number of vehicles on the road, the problem of parking, particularly in inner city areas, has begun to reach boiling point with thousands of land owners becoming increasingly frustrated by vehicles illegally parking on their land, obstructing their day to day activities.

However, this issue which is affecting businesses and landowners nationwide is not something that can be handled by the police, as it is a civil matter rather than a legal one. While in the past land owners were able to use clamping as a deterrent, this is no longer allowed, with The Protection Of Freedoms Act (2012) making it an offence to clamp a vehicle in England or Wales. So with this in mind, what alternatives are still available to businesses to tackle the issue of unauthorised parking on their property?

Barriers
One way to limit access to your site is to use barriers. Automatic barriers, height restrictor barriers and manual barriers all act as effective solutions for limiting access to vehicles or particular types of vehicles. They can be operated either manually – remaining up in business hours and locked down in the evening, or automatically – with access granted via CCTV, proximity cards, a key pad or tokens.

Gates
One of the most effective ways to limit access to a site is to install gates, a particularly effective choice if you are aiming to lock down a specific area such as a staff car park. Having unauthorised cars using up your employees’ parking spaces, or spaces reserved for clients and guests can be infuriating and cause real problems for your business, so gates, bollards and barriers are all good options. Read more about our swing gates, sliding gates and bi-folding gates.

Bollards
If you require a simple but effective solution for dealing with unauthorised access then bollards are a good option. Bollards are particularly effective if you are looking to prevent unwanted parking but also preserve the view of your business site. For example a car showroom might want to retain the views of their property for passing traffic so may opt for a bollard system rather than high fences which obstruct the view of the cars on their lot. Our GA7276H automatic bollards have been built for optimum performance and intensively tested to ensure reliability for over 3000 movements per day. In the event of an emergency or power failure they can be lowered manually and can also be operated simultaneously. Click here to read more about our GA7276H Automatic Bollards.

Gateway Automation provide a range 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. To find out more, please call us on 01522 682255.

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

Keeping your business safe at night

clip_image002For many employees, once their shift is over their responsibilities at work end and they don’t think about it again until the following day. However, that luxury is something that owners of a business are not lucky enough to enjoy. Owners and managers of businesses spend many nights in constant worry over the potential threats that their company face from crimes such as arson, burglary and theft and vandalism. Here we will look at some of the ways you can protect your business from these threats while your building is vacant.

Arson

A serious fire has to be up there with the most damaging incidents that can happen to a business. Fires can cause damage to your buildings, furnishings and structure as well as stock, equipment and even your personnel. To protect against the risk of arson businesses should be sure to strengthen entrance and exit points such as windows and doors to restrict access to the property, as well as tough gates and high walls or fencing. Businesses should also develop a routine before closing down for the night whereby they check for any flammable materials or liquids lying around on site that could be used by arsonists to ignite a fire, such as by padlocking waste bins.

Burglary

Another serious threat to businesses in the night time is burglary. Businesses are naturally a massive target for criminals but with a comprehensive security strategy it is easy to mitigate the risks. Some common mistakes include poor lighting – allowing criminals to go undetected, failure to lock down important areas or assets, failing to prevent unwanted vehicles from arriving on your property, a lack of physical deterrents and securing a property with physical keys instead of electronic access control equipment.

Theft

While theft of assets can come from external criminals unknown to your business, crime can quite equally come from employees. While you can monitor the movements of your employees during the day, at night it may be more difficult. To avoid the risk of your employees stealing from you in the night, or handing your keys to a criminal to do so, you should limit access to valuable goods with cages or safes and consider biometric access control equipment to lock down high value areas.

Vandalism

Vandalism has a big impact on a business. Not only does petty vandalism affect the corporate image of your premises but it can also draw finances away from planned expansion or development within your business. The cost of replacing broken windows or removing graffiti is rarely budgeted for and will often leave a business out of pocket. A combination of deterrents such as anti-vandal grease, strong gates and fencing and motion censored lighting can help to deter opportunistic vandals determined to do damage to your business premises.

Gateway Automation provide a range 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. To find out more, please call us on 01522 682255.

/ By Gateway Team / bollards • crash tested road blockers • security • sliding gates • terrorism • vehicle attack • vehicular attack/ 0 Comments

How to protect your premises from a vehicular terrorist attack

truck-1910871_640If you operate in a sensitive field of business that puts you at risk from protest or terrorism then it’s particularly important that you find ways to mitigate the risk of an attack. In recent years there has been a rise in the number of attacks from vehicles which are driven by terrorists fuelled by religious or political agendas. But how exactly can businesses prevent a vehicular attack which could happen at any time?

While we trust the great job that our security services do in the UK, there are occasions when terrorist operations sadly fall through the net and in those times it’s important that your business and your employees don’t come to any harm. Let’s look at some of the ways that you can restrict the impact of a vehicle, whether armed with explosives or using its size and weight to cause damage to your infrastructure.

Crash Tested Road Blockers are the go-to solution for many financial, government and private organisations looking to reduce the threat and subsequent damage of a terrorist attack. Crash tested road blockers prevent vehicles from gaining access to important or restricted areas of your premises while simultaneously doubling up as a deterrent. Our GA100000 Shallow-Mounted Road Blocker was crash tested by the Motor Industry Research Association and passed with ‘0’ penetration and remained operable under the strain of various tests.

One option for reducing access to your site is that of heavy duty sliding gates. Sliding gates are used throughout various industries where important equipment or data is being protected. Our own GA900 Automatic Cantilever Sliding Gate is easily fitted with optional extras such as razor wire extensions, anti-climb spikes, electric fences, traffic lights and warning sirens. The gate’s movement is controlled via a rack & pinion system monitored by an encored which allows for precise and controlled operation. Our GA900 is also made from hi-grade aluminium which is extremely rigid and dependable.

For small vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, bollards may well be an effective solution. They are designed to stop vehicles from passing but still allow pedestrians to make it on to your site. They may be particularly effective if you are looking for a way to stop access to an area but still retain a friendly and open appearance.

Gateway Automation provides free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To assess your security requirements, please contact us

/ By Gateway Team / automatic barriers • automatic gates • automatic rising kerbs • bi-folding gates • CCTV • data centre security • perimeter security • risk assessment • security • sliding gates • swing gates/ 0 Comments

Physical security for data centres

technology-1587673_640While data centre outages can often be the result of the growing threat of cyber crime, there are also an increasing number of incidents brought about by physical perimeter breaches.

While many companies will employ seasoned IT security specialists to protect them from cyber hacks and a serious online breach, their physical security is often an afterthought. However, protecting a data centre from physical threats is just as important as protecting those posed online and could have just as serious an impact. If your businesses houses their own data centre, or indeed if you are the chosen company to outsource another businesses data then an attack could have serious consequences for your business.

Every site will have its own specific needs and a risk assessment is certainly the place to start. This will help to develop a holistic approach that covers every aspect of your physical defence needs. While many businesses choose to utilise CCTV coverage as a means of protecting their premises it does not work as a means of preventing crime. Criminals attempting to target a data centre will know the consequences they face if caught and will make efforts to either destroy CCTV equipment or hide their faces so as not to be identified. This is why a 360 degree approach to site security should be adopted rather than relying on CCTV alone.

Some ways which you can prevent a criminal from ever gaining access include fully automatic barriers, gates and automatic rising kerbs.

Automatic barriers can be controlled by push-buttons, tokens, and proximity cards, or by manned guards on site thereby preventing unauthorised access. Heavy duty gates like swing gates, sliding gates or bi-folding gates prevent unwanted entry but also deter criminals who would otherwise try and escape in a getaway vehicle after breaking into your data centre. Automatic rising kerbs can also be used to cut off vehicular access, either to your entire site or just selected areas highlighted as under threat.

Gateway Automation provides 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 brochure

/ By Gateway Team / perimeter security • sliding gates • swinging gates/ 0 Comments

Swinging or sliding gates?

SONY DSCRecent figures show that over half of all the small to medium sized businesses in the UK have been victims of crime at some stage. With this in mind, many businesses have begun to investigate how they can start to secure their premises and reduce their chances of being targeted.

While tools like CCTV are effective in recording a crime and can help to alert the police if monitored, they are not able to stop it from happening. This is why perimeter security is the place to start when reviewing your security.

One of the most effective forms of perimeter security are gates, whether swinging or sliding they ensure an effective barrier that slows down and prevents the entry, and the exit, of criminals into your premises.

However, when it comes to choosing between swinging and sliding gates what should you consider? Well for starters the choice between swinging or sliding gates often comes down to the specific layout of your premises. For example, if your entry point is limited by space then it might not be suited to a swinging gate as there isn’t enough room for the full arc, or if you are limited by the layout such as being on a hill then you might be better suited to a sliding gate.

It’s worth remembering that while gates are often the first step of securing your property they are rarely the only step. It is very important to have a professional company visit your site and do a full risk assessment to point out any holes in your security and guarantee a 360 approach.

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 / perimeter security/ 0 Comments

What can we learn about perimeter security from the Great Wall of China?

Blog 58Constructed during the days of the Ming dynasty sometime between 1368-1644, the Great Wall of China is one of the most amazing feats of engineering in human history. Stretching thousands of miles from Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan the wall was built as an attempt to protect China from invaders and to preserve economic and agricultural prosperity. While Mongol hordes are no longer a threat to China, the Great Wall remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world with over 10 million visitors making the trip to see it every year.

So what can we learn from the Great Wall of China? Well first of all it’s important to remember that while the Great Wall is indeed an impressive structure, it wasn’t exactly fool proof. There were in fact quite a few occasions through history where the wall failed.

Mongol raiders climbed treacherous terrain in 1576 to gain entry and kill high ranking soldiers and in 1644 Wu Sangui the defender of one of the passes simply opened the gate to invaders in an act of treachery. What these examples show us are the importance of taking a holistic approach towards your perimeter security. It’s all well and good having a large fence but you also need to look at other areas of your business to ensure that you have every corner covered. It will take a seasoned criminal very little time to overcome the security measures of a business with a one-trick-pony approach to their security measures.

Having a 360 approach doesn’t necessarily have to cost the earth either, it’s just about picking the security solutions that will work best at your premises. A professional company will look at all aspects of your business and only recommend measures that will work. This means taking a full review of your layout, location and operations to understand threats. But it also means learning about the way your business works day-to-day. For instance, some businesses feel that while security is paramount it’s equally important to maintain a welcoming image and to ensure that employees and visitors feel at ease. A comprehensive risk assessment will aim to balance all of these factors and create a strong proposal for keeping your business protected from the growing dangers of crime.

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 / biometric fingerprint readers • biometric fingerprint scanners • biometrics • business security • fingerprint scanners • security • technology/ 0 Comments

Combating office based crime with biometrics

From driverless cars and artificial intelligence to biometric passports and contactless card payments– in today’s world technology has permeated almost every aspect of our lives.  The security industry, which tends to be at the forefront of new technology, is no exception. However, while many businesses are very keen to take their cyber security seriously, spending thousands of pounds on hi-tech software and employees dedicated to defending their online infrastructures, actual physical security of their premises sometimes takes a backseat.  This decision to favour online security over a physical approach often leaves the door open to a wide range of crime from theft and vandalism to criminal damage and even violent crime.

As a means of access, control biometrics are leading the way. Rather than using key fobs and cards, many businesses with security concerns are using biometrics as a solid method of preventing crime in their offices. Areas of importance can be locked down with fingerprint scanners and reduce the need to cut keys, cards, or fobs which can quite easily find themselves in someone else’s hands.

The benefits of installing biometrics in an office environment go past the prevention of crime too. Many businesses are using biometrics to cut down on administration in the workplace, for example by registering employees’ fingerprints so that they can ‘clock in’ and ‘clock out’ of work each day. This removes the need to manually type up employee timesheets and reduces the fear that they may have been ‘punched in’ by a colleague covering for their unapproved absence.

Biometric fingerprint readers work in such a way that it takes just a matter of seconds to confirm the identity of a person trying to gain access to your site.  So, rather than having a physical security guard checking ID badges and signing in visitors, you have a digital record of everyone who has entered your building each day.  A convenient, cheaper and much more secure record, as a scanner cannot be corrupted or tricked into allowing access to someone who could cause your company harm.

If you are interested in learning more about this growing industry trend then please contact Gateway Automation for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey.

Click here for more information about FR-240 Biometric Fingerprint Readers, click here to arrange a callback or click here to download our free brochure.

/ By Gateway Team / access control equipment • biometric fingerprint readers • perimeter security • security • tailgating • turnstiles/ 0 Comments

How to prevent and reduce the damage of tailgating

Tailgating is one of the most annoying lapses in security that you can have happen and unlike many other security bloopers it is often it is the result of common courtesy rather than ineptitude or criminal intentions. Picture the scene – one of your employees swipes their security fob to gain access to the front door of your building, as the door is about to swing shut they notice someone else stood there and courteously hold the door open for them.  While your employee might not realise the gravity of the situation at the time, they could have unwittingly given a criminal access to your property that could quite easily go on to commit vandalism, theft, criminal damage or even a violent crime on your premises.

What can we do to prevent tailgating?
The first place to start when it comes to defending against tailgaters is to seek out a risk assessment. A professional company will be able to take an audit of your facility analysing the strengths and weaknesses in your operations and helping to develop a security solution that protects your assets and your employees. For example a risk assessment might result in  recommendations to install waist height or half height turnstiles or biometric fingerprint readers, both of which can be effective in preventing tailgating.

While you can put lots of measures in to place to prevent tailgating, your security is only as strong as the culture you build around it. If your employees aren’t trained in the risks of tailgating, and are not told to challenge unidentified visitors then you run the risk of your systems being ineffective.

Most businesses have some kind of important asset that they need to protect, whether that is expensive equipment, confidential information, restricted chemicals or something else. This is why it is important to not only secure your entry and exit points but also to lock down any important areas of your building with high quality access control equipment.

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 please contact us

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

Risk assessments – the first step in securing your premises

The perimeter of your property is the boundary between your buildings and land and the outside world. As such, the strength of the physical security around your perimeter is the first line of defence against criminals. It acts not only as a deterrent, but also a means to physically delay or completely stop a criminal from gaining access to your site.

Crime remains a major threat to businesses and organisations in the UK with crime against businesses accounting for as much as 20% of all the crimes recorded. What’s more, a large proportion of these criminal activities are unplanned and opportunistic – meaning that criminals spot vulnerabilities in a business’s perimeter security and decide there and then to exploit them.

Time and time again, we find businesses that rely solely on only one or two forms of perimeter security, perhaps only installing CCTV cameras or relying on outdated or broken equipment which leaves their property vulnerable. The problem with this approach is that it fails to consider every eventuality and does not deliver the 360 degree approach that is needed for adequately securing premises. For example, CCTV may be able to witness a vehicle entering your site as a robbery takes place and alarm systems may notify authorities, but a piece of equipment like a Crash Tested Road Blocker may prevent the vehicle from ever gaining access in the first place.

When it comes to securing your property the absolute first step you should take is to ask a professional company to undertake a risk assessment. This means that, rather than relying on guesswork as to how best to deter criminals, you will have cold hard facts as to where you are vulnerable and which products would best suit your needs.

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

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

/ By Gateway Team / accreditation • automated gates • gate installation • Gate Safe Aware • security gate/ 0 Comments

Why you should choose a Gate Safe installer every time

Here at Gateway Automation we are proud to be certified as Gate Safe Aware. This is a specific accreditation handed out only to those who have undergone training and assessments to show that they have a fully comprehensive understanding of the guidelines surrounding responsible installation.

The importance of having your gates installed by an accredited professional should not be underestimated. The dangers of failing to do so is highlighted by the cases of Semelia Campbell and Karolina Golabek who were both tragically killed in accidents involving automated gates in the space of just a few weeks in 2010. Semelia was trapped while playing hide and seek and Karolina was trapped while playing with a cat. The company deemed responsible for Semelia’s death was handed a £50,000 fine and a publicity order for leaving their automated gate in a ‘lethal state’.

A strong security gate is one of the most effective forms of access control and creates a physical barrier that acts as an obstacle and a deterrent to criminals. However, it is critical that businesses have their gates fitted by professional installers who are aware of how to make a gate safe as well as secure. Further to this it is equally important that those gates are maintained to a high standard, rather than left to become a dangerous hazard over time. Neglecting to do so can lead to fines, damage to your company reputation and in some cases, and worst of all, a devastating loss of life

Gateway Automation provide a range of gates to help businesses and individuals to secure their sites and also provide nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers and other perimeter security equipment. We are proud to be certified as Gate Safe Aware Installers. To find out more, please contact us on 01522 682255 or take a look at our brochure