10 Signs You Should Invest in Business Security Systems
1. Your wireless system isn’t secure enough
Wireless cameras are slick and easy to install with their magnetic bases. The downside, they offer zero protection against vandalism or removal by having no locking mechanism in place. Most companies selling wireless surveillance camera systems suggest a solution of an install height of over seven feet, but baseball bats, crowbars, and hockey sticks can displace the magnetic mount.
The downers continue. High install height will take in more area, reduce image quality, and create more false positives. An increase in motion events will reduce the battery life, which leads to grabbing that ladder every time you have to recharge the battery.
Our wire-free camera, the Eufycam2, is more secure than others. It comes with both magnetic mounts and screw mounts in the box. Major competitors often only include magnetic mounts. The screw mount is still less secure than our professional line cameras, so it's important to mount the camera in a place where potential thieves can't reach it.
One of the hard truths of physical security is that there's a balancing act between convenience and ease of installation and security. Wireless cameras teeter the scales on the far end of the ease of install with virtually no security.
If physical security is your biggest concern go with a wired surveillance camera system. It's extremely difficult to steal a wired-in security camera system because power tools are required.
2. You recently have been losing money because of theft
“Did you account for losses due to shoplifting, fraud or theft while drafting your business budget? Probably not, and yet 7% of annual revenue is lost on average through these crimes. Considering that 95% of businesses experience some sort of theft and 33% of all U.S. business bankruptcies can be blamed on employee theft, this issue is not something small business owners should ignore. Once you discover the impact business theft can have on your bottom line, it’s clear that a business security system can easily pay for itself by preventing theft or aiding in theft recovery”
A new business surveillance system from SCW provides both prevention and cure. The presence of visible IP security cameras is a deterrent to theft and quality video evidence of crime brings resolution.
3. You have multiple employees and worry about liability issues
Workplace accidents will happen. When they do so without witnesses present it becomes a matter of business liability for the owner.
The flip side is the employer’s role in seeing to the full and swift medical treatment necessary for an injured employee.
Video evidence from a business security system solves cases of false liability claims while also ensuring that you protect your employees and assist with their healthcare recovery process.
Also, avoid HR issues when there are claims of employee physical assault, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Surveillance system footage is priceless when the litigation stakes are potentially threatening to your business.
You cannot protect yourself or your employees enough.
4. Your business has a parking lot with multiple cars
Parking lot security presents a host of issues. Are they well lit? Do employees have to park behind the building and out of sight of mainstream view? Are employees coming and going at night? How are customer and employee cars kept secure from break-in or theft? Are vehicular accidents frequent? Is there pedestrian traffic in or near the parking area?
You can think of plenty more scenarios where parking lot security is required.
Don’t be that stingy owner who makes your employees park around back, like my teenage daughter’s first boss. He refused to install security cameras for his employees though their vehicles were repeatedly broken into while at work for him. Her small Ford pick-up didn’t escape being targeted one night, and the break-in left her frightened and confused.
5. You’re on a highway or busy street
The greater the level of activity around your place of business, the greater the likelihood of an incident.
Moving vehicles and inattentive pedestrians are a dangerous combination. There’s a good chance that many of the drivers as well as those on foot are staring at a cellphone screen while they’re in motion.
Meanwhile, your employees and customers are attempting to navigate their way into or out of your parking lot.
Your high-visibility business and high-traffic surroundings make it desirable to criminals focussed on targets of convenience.
Grab and go!
6. You’ve recently experienced shrinkage
Your records report a recent loss, which is a kick in the gut on its own. What’s worse, is that you haven’t a clue as to the source.
It could be shoplifting, administrative error, vendor fraud, damage, or cashier error. Disturbing as it might be to accept, your shrinkage may center on employee theft.
Numbers run as high as 75% of all employees have stolen from work at some point. From ink pens to laptops, employee theft is rampant enough to result in 33% of all U.S. business bankruptcies blamed on it alone.
If only there were some way to keep a constant vigil on every employee, monitor their movements, and record them digitally!?
7. You need to monitor employees leaving and entering for HR issues
As your business grows, the ability to keep track of the many facets becomes a logistical headache. Additional employees fall into that category. The success of your business depends upon them, They also are a responsibility while on your property.
Not unlike the high school administrators who tried to eagle-eye monitor the coming and going of sneaky teenagers who drove their own vehicles to school, business owners need to be aware of employees’ movements.
Are employees making trips to their cars to deposit stolen merchandise during break times? Or has a supervisor insisted another intern join him in the backseat of his luxury sedan?
Who left early? Came in late? How did Joe hit Kelly’s car when he was inside at the time of the accident?
The possibilities for HR issues and liability claims are unending.
That’s why we offer SCW’s Access Control as your ultimate solution to employee tracking. Any doors you designate will remain electronically locked at all times. Employees have easy access by a key fob, card, or mobile credentials.
Using the key fob, Access Control tracks employees’ attendance automatically along with their movement the entire time they are on the premises.
There can never be any question as to who was where or the time period involved.
8. You don’t have access control and need to restrict certain people from specific areas
SCW Access Control is a marvel! It’s an easy retrofit to your existing facilities. And once it’s installed simple programming is all it takes to restrict or limit access to critical areas of your operation. In seconds you can update the program to adjust to employee departures or new hiring.
Access Control’s applications are widespread:
- No more need for security personnel at entrances
- Doors are always locked. No need to remember at the day’s end.
- Track employees’ attendance automatically
- Control access times for cleaning and maintenance personnel
- Eliminate liability issues from intrusive non-employees
- Keep out unpredictable, unwanted visitors
9. You have high-value assets in a warehouse or on a lot that aren’t protected
A British survey revealed that repeat victimization from robbery is due to location, security, the attractiveness of goods, and the success of previous attempts. (In Britain, 2% of retail premises experienced 25% of the retail burglaries).
That’s not the kind of repeat business you’re seeking!
The same survey found that though they do little planning, burglars show care in selecting “safer” targets They claim little deterrence by physical security but try to avoid being seen. Therefore, most businesses are broken into at night or on weekends when stores are closed.
Law enforcement officers have long touted the deterrent value of visible security cameras. The threat of being seen and recorded is often enough to cause a thief to bypass your business in search of an easier target.
SCW’s bright, white camera housings are impossible to miss when mounted on soffits, ceilings, or poles. They’re like a dare to any troublemaker who would consider setting one foot into their viewing area.
10. Your business is growing and there is too much to lose!
Has success got you lying awake in bed worrying? You took risks to build your business. Now it’s time to secure your business assets so you can sleep soundly.
A new business surveillance system is not so much of a decision as a call to action on your part. The logical decision, the economic decision has been made for you.
Don’t believe it? Truth is, installing an IP security camera system is a no-brainer. All the convincing you’ll need is covered in our article, 7 Ways Small Business Security Systems Pay For Themselves.
Get in touch with one of our security experts and we’ll help you through the process, start to finish, on to operational, with FREE US-based technical support for life!
We would be honored to have you join us as the latest member of our SCW security family.