High-Security Safes for Commercial Properties: What You Need to Know

Safes are a great investment in commercial properties because, on top of regular security measures, they provide an added layer of security for high-value possessions that need the most protection.

This is where high-security safes for commercial properties come in. These safes are built with strict regulations and are accredited by all the relevant authorities to ensure their longevity, effectiveness, and of course, safety.

Safe cracking isn’t just in the movies! It is inspired by real-life events where professional criminals attempt to break open safes by bypassing the locking mechanism that keeps the vault door shut.

While regular safes aren’t impenetrable, high-security safes are designed with anti-tampering mechanisms and specialised schematics to prevent such tampering attempts. This makes these safes almost impossible to penetrate without nearby people knowing about it.

Read below to learn more about high-security safes for commercial properties and what you need to know about them:

Regular Vs. High-Security Safes

By definition, a safe, or a strongbox, is simply a container with a fancy lock that holds valuable possessions. Safes have been around since ancient Egypt with archaeologists finding small wooden boxes with simple locks.

The idea of theft is as old as time, and as our understanding of materials has increased, humans have figured out better ways to protect their possessions. Perhaps the most notable contribution to this technology was by English inventors Charles and Jeremiah Chubb in Wolverhampton. After making lock designs for nearly all of their life, in 1835 the brothers finally received a patent for a burglar-resisting safe and began the production of safes.

Today, safes can be found with all sorts of locking mechanisms. Regular safes usually use a lock and key system, much like how you would use a key to unlock a door.

These safes are convenient, reliable, and easy to use. The only downside to these safes is that they heavily rely on the presence of a physical key to unlock the vault door. If you lose the key, you lose access to the safe and would have to call in a professional or an authorised person from the manufacturer.

These safes are great for homes and for adding a simple but effective security measure, however, they aren’t impervious to tampering. In fact, these types of safes are the most easily “cracked” by professional thieves who can simply pick the lock and access the main vault.

This is where high-security safes come in.

High-security safes are designed for storing and securing very valuable possessions such as large amounts of cash, jewellery, property documents, and much more.

The thing that makes these safes stand out from regular safes is their build quality. These safes are built by following several regulations and best practices which earn them a higher cash rating.

A cash rating is a sort of guarantee that insures the possessions inside for a certain amount. For example, a safe can have a cash rating of £20,000 which means that even if you get £10,000 stolen from the vault, you will be entitled to the full cash rating. Of course, there is a lot of due diligence and collection of proof that occurs before this claim is accepted.

High-security safes also have several foolproof locking mechanisms such as digital keypad locks, biometrics, dual locks, and more.

Keep reading to learn more about how these high-security safes can benefit your commercial property.

TYPES OF HIGH-SECURITY SAFES FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

Here are the most common and best-selling types of high-security safes for commercial properties:

Wall/Floor Mounted Safes

These safes are built with heavy-duty materials and are designed to not move. Wall or floor-mounted safes are bolted down to a stable surface to allow them to sit undisturbed. This adds to the overall structural integrity of the safe and makes them even more secure.

Even if an intruder gets access to the area where the safe is located, chances are that they will not be going anywhere with it. They would require quite a lot of heavy-duty hardware just to remove the safe from its place – that alone would cause a lot of noise, which would make the theft attempt not worth it.

On top of this, these safes can have added layers of security in the form of a complex locking mechanism which would make getting into them especially harder, and again, not worth it.

Data/Media Safes

Data and media are of utmost importance for modern businesses. Commercial properties keep a tight stack of important papers and digital files – and if you want to protect these documents and media files from intruders then the best way to secure them would be inside of a data or media safe.

These safes are built to protect the contents from digital signals, fires, water damage, and more. This makes them the ideal choice for businesses that deal in digital currency and store just as valuable hardcopies of customer data, payment information, supplier information, and more.

Additionally, media safes are also designed to protect electronic devices from outside radio interference. For example, the safes are lined with special material that makes it impossible for RFID, Wi-Fi or other radio signals to penetrate.

Deposit Safes

Deposit or drop safes function as mini bank vaults where you can drop in cash and keep it secure temporarily until the cash is ready to be moved. These deposit safes are built using heavy-duty materials and have a small slit on top where deposits can be made.

Once the money is inside, the design of the safe keeps the money safe and secure. Even if someone tries to access the safe using the slit, they won’t be able to take the money out.

Fire/Water Rated Safes

Having a fire/waterproof safe for commercial properties is an excellent idea. These safes are tested against high temperatures and can withstand extreme environments for some time.

So, in the case of a fire, the contents will remain safe, so long as the safe is exposed to temperatures under its limitations. In most cases, the outside of the safe might not survive and become distorted, but the contents inside will remain safe and can be accessed by a professional security technician.

These safes can also be impact-resistant, providing you with an additional layer of security in case a burglar decides to use brute force to unlock the locking pin inside the safe.

LOCKING MECHANISMS FOR HIGH-SECURITY SAFES

A high-security safe is only as secure as its locking mechanism. Here are some of the top foolproof mechanisms for these types of safes:

Combination locks

Combination locks work using a complex dial. This dial is rotated to enter a secret code that only an authorised person is privy to.

The benefit of combination locks is that they are easy to use and are harder to crack than key safes which require a physical key. If you lose the key, then the safe becomes compromised.

Combination locks are great for securing all types of valuables and provide high security at the best price (more on this below).

Electronic locks

If you want added security and convenience, then we recommend that you go with electronic locks. These locks use a digital keypad on the front of the safe. To open the safe, you will need to enter the right PIN code.

What makes these safes better is that they can also be smart. For example, if the system detects multiple failed attempts, it can simply lock the door for a certain amount of time.

Furthermore, the safe also logs entries so you can figure out the time and date when the safe was last accessed, adding a layer of security and accountability.

Biometric locks

Biometric locks provide the ultimate balance between security and convenience. These types of safes turn an authorised person into a living key! You don’t need to remember a PIN or password or carry a physical key.

Simply walk up to the safe and scan your iris, fingerprint, or face for authentication! These safes are more expensive due to their complexity but are ideal for high-risk commercial properties that require a lot of security.

Dual locks

As the name suggests, these locks work by providing two sets of security measures. For example, a dual lock safe can have a combination of a keypad and a physical lock.

To unlock the safe, you would first have to unlock the primary lock using the key, and then the secondary lock using a secret code.

These safes provide a lot of security and are ideal for all types of commercial properties that require additional security.

INVESTING IN A HIGH-SECURITY SAFE FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

Here are some factors to keep in mind when investing in a high-security safe for commercial properties:

Safe Dimensions

Safes are usually a one-time purchase, meaning that you can’t ideally purchase several safes over time. This is why you need to invest in a safe that can be futureproofed and can store several valuable items over time.

The best way to figure out the ideal size of the safe for your commercial property is to consult with a professional who would conduct a security risk assessment and assess your expectations to figure out the right size of the safe.

Cash Rating

As discussed, cash ratings provide added security by insuring your valuables. These safes can get a cash rating because of their superior build quality and their added security measures.

These safes are accredited and guaranteed to provide long-term security. So, we recommend that you get a safe with a cash rating that amounts to the amount that you are willing to store.

For example, if you want to store £20,000, then we recommend that you get a cash rating of at least the same amount for the best value.

Investment Cost

Safes can vary in price depending on their type, size, and quality. A regular safe can cost as low as £150 however high-security safes can cost up to £1,000 or more.

This added cost may seem like a lot but the important thing to keep in mind is that these safes are designed to last a lifetime so you are essentially investing in a long-term security measure that will keep your valuables safe for the foreseeable future.

Professional consultation

When it comes to security, it is always best to consult with a professional. While you can go the DIY approach and get a safe from your own research, it is advised that you at least speak to a security consultant to cover all bases.

Security companies like Calder Security have decades of experience and can guide you through the process of purchasing a safe. Even better, you can have the entire process outsourced by them so that they handle everything from purchasing to installing the safe.

A professional installation also comes with a warranty and guarantee which can give you peace of mind. Call Calder Security to conduct a security audit and install a budget-friendly, long-term, and effective safe for your commercial property!

WALL/FLOOR MOUNTED SAFES – FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SAFETY

Wall and floor-mounted safes are a great investment for high-risk commercial properties that require a long-term storage solution for all types of valuable items.

These safes are great because they can be installed virtually anywhere by a professional installer like Calder Security. Wall and floor-mounted safes also provide added protection because they are usually hidden away from plain sight, so even during a breach a burglar would never know where the safe is hidden.

Here is where you can install these safes in commercial properties:

Primary Office Space

Office space is perfect for installing safes, especially if the location is protected by an additional access control system, AKA, a keyless entry system.

By installing a safe in the office, business owners can quickly and securely deposit precious possessions within the safe and since the area will also be secured by additional security measures, you can guarantee that no unauthorised person will be able to access it.

Inconspicuous Safe Installations

Large commercial spaces, especially the ones with limited furniture may benefit from hiding safes behind walls. These safes are an excellent alternative to floor-mounted safes since the safe will be installed neatly on any wall of your choosing. Furthermore, you won’t have to constantly bend down to store possessions!

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) and are familiar with a wide range of safes, cash boxes, and strong boxes. Our SSAIB contractors can help you assess your security needs and recommend a suitable safe perfect for your requirements.

We offer professional safe installation services to not only prevent theft and fire damage but also ensure that the safe is secured in place properly, cannot be removed, and is not in danger of falling or damaging anything.

We also offer safe opening services since misplacing the keys, forgetting the code, or failure of the safe itself can all lead to the contents of the safe being inaccessible.

By design, of course, safes are very difficult to access in these circumstances and you need a professional safe engineer to do it for you. Our Calder specialists can open most safes and restore them to full working order afterwards.

When you need to relocate or remove your safe entirely, you can count on us to carry out the job with ease. In addition to that, our professional safe repair and maintenance services ensure that your safes are always in optimal health providing you with the best security.

Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our security professionals right away about the best high-security safes for your commercial property!

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash