Table of Contents
Workplace security has never been as important as it is now. Workplace threats and security risks are getting more serious and complex and require proper solutions to mitigate them.
Businesses, regardless of their type and nature, can be the target of a crime such as burglary, intrusion, vandalism, and even arson and terrorism. They simply cannot afford to let their guard down and are required to take the necessary steps to ensure their employees, customers, visitors, and property remains safe and protected.
Proactive steps, such as taking the right security measures and investing in efficient security systems can be what stands between your business and potential criminals.
Read on to find out the importance of business security, what you can do to increase it, and 5 real-life case studies of businesses that managed to improve security and reduce crime:
IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS SECURITY
Most business owners underestimate the importance of business safety and security and fail to understand how important it is for their business as a whole. Business security not only protects the people and assets on the property but also plays an essential part in business growth.
Understanding the importance of business security is vital in ensuring it is prioritised by everyone at work. After all, it is a joint effort and everyone must play their part.
To maintain a high level of security across the business, everyone, including the owners, management, and employees must respond to any developments and changes that may increase risk.
Here are a few reasons why business security is so important and why it must never be overlooked:
Business security keeps employees and customers safe
A business’s main assets are its employees and customers, without whom it would simply cease to exist. Therefore, a business owner’s topmost priority should be to ensure the safety and security of the ‘people’ of the business.
Both employees and customers will feel safer entering your business and it will increase employee retention as well as customer footfall. A secure business will lead to a better experience for everyone and give your business a good reputation in the industry.
Business security protects commercial assets
Since an increased level of security reduces crime such as burglaries and intrusion, it plays an important part in safeguarding business assets and secrets such as sensitive information and customer data.
It also reduces the threat of physical theft, both internal and external, resulting in the business having to bear the loss of and replace fewer items. In the long run, this can save you a lot of money and focus on increasing cash flow and profitability.
Business security helps control and manage access
Business security is incredibly comprehensive and goes well beyond preventing burglaries and intrusions. It can help you control and manage who enters your property and when and can help keep an eye on all the different people trying to gain access.
Advanced business security systems such as access control systems help you monitor and control access levels for every visitor and prevent intruders or suspicious individuals from entering your property. It also helps keep an eye on the employees and keep track of their movement within the premises.
Business security boosts productivity
A secure workplace is a healthy workplace that can do wonders for employee productivity. Knowing that the business owners and employers have taken adequate measures to improve safety and security in the workplace can boost the morale of employees as they may feel valued and respected.
This feeling of satisfaction will ultimately reflect in their work and help the business achieve newer heights. In addition to that, the presence of security systems such as CCTV cameras helps monitor staff and their work habits, making them more diligent as they know they are being watched.
Door entry systems can also be used to check attendance and hours worked, and since the systems are fully automated, there is no way around it other than being a responsible employee.
Business security can lower insurance premiums
Most insurance firms offer reduced premiums to businesses that invest in security and take the required measures to mitigate risk. This helps save quite a bit of money that the business can invest elsewhere.
For the detailed terms and conditions and whether your insurance provider offers said reductions, it is best to speak to them directly and gather all the necessary information.
Business security helps you stay compliant
As a business owner and employer, it is your responsibility to make sure the workplace stays safe and secure for your employees, customers, and visitors. The best way to fulfil this responsibility is to invest in business security.
Failure to comply with said laws can not only put you in harm’s way but also result in heavy fines imposed by the authorities. Not to mention, it’ll also put a serious damper on your reputation in the market and result in dissatisfied employees and lost customers.
5 REAL-LIFE CASE STUDIES OF BUSINESSES THAT IMPROVED SECURITY AND REDUCED CRIME
Business security and the hype around it isn’t all talk. It shows results and we have some real-life case studies of businesses to prove just that. From retail chains to malls, airports, and banks, almost every type of business has seen tangible results by increasing security.
Some of the best forms of security measures implemented by these businesses include security alarms, CCTV cameras, access control systems, security fencing and barriers, security lighting, and security personnel.
REAL-LIFE CASE STUDY # 1: TESCO
Tesco is one of the largest retail store chains in the UK that operates on a variety of retail formats such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online stores.
In recent times, as the cost-of-living increases, Tesco, as well as other retail stores, have become the target of numerous shoplifting incidents. Shoplifting alone has cost the British economy £660m in 2021-22, which is a staggering amount that needs to be addressed.
According to Tesco Chairman John Allan, the issue of shoplifting is a growing one for all levels in the retail sector, and as the costs continue to rise, it will drive more people towards stealing from supermarkets.
What has Tesco done to improve security and reduce crime?
To deal with the issue of shoplifting, Tesco has increased the number of security personnel deployed at a few of their stores. In addition to deploying more security guards in key locations in certain stores, they are also putting more security tags on certain items to deter shoplifting.
Tesco is also big on surveillance and uses CCTV cameras installed throughout the stores to monitor the activity of everyone on the floor. The footage can be used to catch shoplifters in the act and prevent them from leaving the store with the stolen goods.
The presence of CCTV cameras is also used to keep an eye on any untoward incident happening, such as someone taking out a weapon or harassing an employee.
As far as the safety of employees goes, Tesco has installed security barriers to protect them from shoppers waiting to get their hands on the reduced yellow sticker items before they even hit the shelves.
Oftentimes, some shoppers can be a bit aggressive and put the employees standing there in harm’s way. By barricading the area, the workers can work safely while tagging the items with their slashed prices and remove the barriers once they are done and away from harm’s way.
REAL-LIFE CASE STUDY # 2: MANCHESTER AIRPORT
Manchester Airport Group (MAG) is one of the biggest airport groups in the UK that operates three big airports, namely Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports.
Since airports are generally busy all year round, they are prone to all kinds of safety and security threats. Their high-profile nature and the sheer volume of people and goods make them vulnerable to terrorist attacks, unauthorised access, security breaches, smuggling, and illegal trade.
Manchester Airport alone has a yearly footfall of around 27 million passengers and it employs around 19,000 people on-site. To counter the various types of issues, they have to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the people and property of the airport.
What has Manchester Airport done to improve security and reduce crime?
Back in 2011, Manchester Airport began an entire project of upgrading its perimeter security by installing state-of-the-art security fences and barriers all over the property. This was done mainly to deal with the influx of passengers and traffic and keep unauthorised access at bay.
The fencing system was created to provide a high level of security. It is mounted on a concrete barrier and installed with anti-intruder and anti-climb features.
The airport has also implemented various other security measures to ensure a safe environment which include access control, passenger and baggage screening, deployment of more security personnel, and CCTV surveillance.
Manchester Airport has an extensive CCTV surveillance system with cameras strategically placed throughout the premises including the terminals, parking lots, and other key locations. Their main purpose is to monitor activities around the airport, deter criminal behaviour, and provide assistance if necessary.
REAL-LIFE CASE STUDY # 3: SOUTHEASTERN RAIL NETWORK
Southeastern Rail Network is one of the largest public train operators in the UK. It operates between London, Kent, and parts of East Sussex, and is also one of the busiest rail networks in the country.
Transporting around 640,000 passengers every weekday on its vast network of 392 trains, it faces its share of safety and security concerns.
Some of the depots around South-East England where the trained are temporarily housed are mostly unmanned and require intelligent security solutions to increase safety and security.
What has Southeastern Rail Network done to improve security and reduce crime?
Southeastern Rail Network replaced its analogue surveillance system and implemented a smart video security solution for better security and protection against theft and intrusions in unmanned depots.
The upgrade to an IP camera solution provided the business with wider coverage, improved video quality, as well as wireless capabilities. It also offered Intelligent Video Analytics and an incredibly high level of data security encryption.
The train depots remain monitored throughout the day and night and provided security personnel with live camera footage as well as recordings for heightened control and awareness.
It also uses security alarm systems that rely fully on machine learning and automatically sound an alarm when it detects security threats such as intruders or any type of perimeter breaches.
REAL-LIFE CASE STUDY # 4: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL)
Universities face several challenges that can put the safety and well-being of those on campus at risk. They are susceptible to burglaries and intrusions, campus violence, sexual assault and harassment, and substance abuse and drug dealing.
To foster an environment of growth and prosperity, the university management needs to take the necessary steps and implement security measures to mitigate said risks.
UCL is one of the top universities in the world offering a range of undergraduate and post-graduate courses. Employing more than 16,000 staff members and 50,000 students from all over the world, it prides itself on providing quality education and a secure and healthy environment for everyone on campus.
They have been able to achieve this standard by giving importance to security and understanding the impact of a lack of it on their growth and prospects.
What has UCL done to improve security and reduce crime?
Security services have always been an integral part of the operations at UCL, and they continue to be that way. UCL management has taken several steps to counter safety and security threats on campus and has been successful at mitigating risks and securing one of the top ranks in universities in the world.
They have employed more security personnel across the Bloomsbury campus and made them more visible. They are better trained at their job and have clearer responsibilities and guidelines to deliver more efficient security services.
Their roles have shifted away from desk-based to more mobile, allowing them to cover a wider area, especially in buildings with a higher footfall.
UCL has also launched an app for all members of the CL community which can be used as a panic alarm in case of an emergency to send out an alert and share your location with security personnel who will be instantly dispatched to help you. You may also tag yourself as a ‘lone worker’ and have the number of patrols by security personnel increased in your area.
They also use CCTV cameras installed at key locations throughout the campus, along with alarm monitoring systems and video intercoms for building access control.
UCL is also very serious about access control on campus and has issued electronic access cards to all community members. These cards prove your identity and control access to UCL buildings.
REAL-LIFE CASE STUDY # 5: O2 ARENA
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena situated in London with a capacity of around 20,000 people. Most popularly used for music events, it is also used for award shows and sporting events.
Like any other large-scale entertainment venue, the O2 Arena is also faced with a variety of security threats such as unauthorised access, disorderly conduct, theft, vandalism, property damage, and terrorism.
Despite all these safety and security threats, the O2 Arena remains to be one of the most popular entertainment venues in the world. The reason behind this is their use of state-of-the-art security systems to mitigate the risks and keep everything under control.
What has The O2 Arena done to improve security and reduce crime?
The O2 Arena has taken several steps to ensure the physical safety of its visitors and property and to provide a safe space for music, sports, and entertainment events to take place.
They are very serious about access control and have implemented advanced systems to regulate and monitor movement within the venue. Their access control measures include security checks, ticket scanning, electronic access cards, and even facial recognition for certain special events.
Security personnel is deployed all over the venue and their presence has increased throughout the venue. Their responsibilities include monitoring crowds, responding to security incidents, conducting bag checks, and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
High-resolution CCTV cameras are strategically placed throughout and a comprehensive surveillance system is used to monitor various areas. This allows security personnel to view both live as well as recorded footage and keep a better check on the activities around the venue.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.
We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.
We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.
We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts right away!
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash