Security Systems for Car Dealerships

Like most businesses, car dealerships face various security threats in the form of vehicle theft, vandalism and damage, and staff and customer safety.

Motor vehicle theft has always remained a huge concern for law enforcement agencies with over 113,000 incidents reported in the UK in 2019/20.

Car dealerships are among one of the most common targets for crime due to the numerous valuable assets on site, all of which are on display for the world to see.

An open lot filled with expensive cars is a welcome invitation for criminals to steal and, without adequate security measures, they can be particularly vulnerable to threats.

Car dealerships are targeted not just for vehicle theft but also for stealing valuable car parts and selling them off, and by teenagers looking to damage property for cheap thrills.

These threats may incur serious losses to the owners and cause severe distress to the employees and customers, therefore, reliable security solutions such as CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and access control must be implemented to keep the issues under control.

Read on to find out about the best security systems for car dealerships and more tips on how to improve security and safety on the premises:

CCTV FOR CAR DEALERSHIPS

CCTV cameras are a great security investment for all kinds of businesses, including car dealerships, and provide a wide range of benefits that include crime prevention, recorded evidence against criminals, and insurance compliance.

They are considered one of the most effective deterrents against crimes such as theft, burglary, intrusion, and vandalism owing to the fear of being watched, recorded, and possibly caught.

Just the very idea of being monitored and recorded is enough to scare away criminals and mischief mongers, which is why they will always try to stay clear of properties under CCTV surveillance.

In the event of a crime being committed, CCTV footage helps collect evidence and easily identify suspects, increasing their likelihood of getting caught.

On top of minimising external threats such as burglaries and intrusions, CCTV cameras also help minimise internal threats such as employee theft and allow the owners and managers of the dealership to monitor staff at work in real-time and also as a recording to be viewed later.

Various types of CCTV cameras can be installed in a car dealership. They include:

• Bullet CCTV cameras
• Dome CCTV cameras
• C-Mount CCTV cameras
• PTZ Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras
• Day/Night CCTV cameras
• Infrared/night vision CCTV cameras
• Network/IP CCTV cameras
• Wireless CCTV cameras
• High Definition (HD) CCTV cameras

They all vary in their shapes, sizes, and specific features, and while some are visual deterrents, others act as hidden deterrents.

You may be able to get a better understanding of the most suitable type of camera for your property depending on its size and set up.

High Definition (HD) and wireless/IP CCTV cameras are a suitable recommendation for car dealerships since they produce crystal clear footage and the ability to integrate with other systems over the internet.

What matters the most is the correct positioning of the system since that would determine what parts of the property the cameras will monitor.

It is best to run a thorough risk assessment of the property to identify all the high-risk areas such as the main entrances and exits and then install the cameras accordingly to get the most out of constant surveillance.

Video surveillance coupled with 24/7 monitoring packs quite a punch in terms of security and is one of the best decisions that car dealerships can take to protect their property.

CCTV monitoring is an extremely reliable and effective solution where the security footage is viewed by professionals at an off-site monitoring centre.

While every business is permitted to use CCTV cameras to ensure their safety and security, they must operate them responsibly.

Certain laws govern the use of CCTV systems in businesses, known as the Data Protection Laws, and adherence to said laws is mandatory.

According to the CCTV code of practice issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), you must have a legitimate reason for using CCTV cameras in your car dealership, taking special care as to not infringe on other people’s privacy and ensure the safety of the recorded data.

You are bound by the law to inform everyone in the area that they are being recorded, which can best be achieved by putting up clear signage or communicating with the people involved.

CCTV laws for businesses are taken very seriously with the consequences of breaking them leading to criminal charges and the owners facing huge fines of up to £500,000.

In addition to jail time and fines, business owners might risk losing customer and employee trust since using recording equipment without their knowledge is a serious invasion of privacy.

BURGLAR ALARMS FOR CAR DEALERSHIPS

Security alarms, such as burglar alarms, are considered the backbone of many business’s security needs and are an important tool in detecting unauthorised entry, especially after hours.

They work using a series of sensors that go off as soon as something unusual is detected. Depending on the type of sensors – motion, glass-break, door and window, and shock sensors – the systems pick up on discrepancies and sound an alarm, sometimes accompanied with flashing lights, to alert the people nearby.

They need to be installed on all the main entry and exit points, and any areas that are at a high risk of being broken into.

Burglar alarms provide a range of security benefits that include protection from theft, deterring vandals from entering the property, peace of mind when the dealership is closed and during the night, and a reduction in insurance premiums.

The visible presence of a burglar alarm is enough to deter trespassers and criminals from breaking in and harming your property. Even if they decide to break in, the sensors will detect the intrusion and trigger blaring alarms so that everyone in the vicinity can hear them, possibly scaring the intruders away.

The most basic type of burglar alarms is called bells-only burglar alarms that rely on people nearby to respond to them. They are best for when the owners, managers, or employees of the business are living nearby.

In case there is no one to hear and respond to the alarm, they might go unnoticed and render the security systems useless.

To counteract the issue, there are other more advanced versions of burglar alarms best suited for car dealerships that not only detect intrusions and sound an alarm, but also inform the owners, emergency contacts, and the authorities to take immediate action.

Dialler burglar alarms contact the owners, or a list of emergency contacts saved according to a priority basis, in the event of an alarm trigger and are great if the car dealership is in a secluded area with no one around to respond to the alarm.

Most dialler systems allow saving up to 10 numbers who are contacted either through the phone line or mobile network, depending on the variant you have installed.

Smart burglar alarms are another great type of alarm system that send direct notifications over the internet through a smartphone or tablet app.

They offer a lot of flexibility and control allowing users to remotely control the systems from the palm of their hands, aka their phones, and to connect all compatible devices including security cameras, lights, and other sensors.

Monitored burglar alarms are connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) where the alarms are first verified and, depending on the type of contract – keyholder or police response – the relevant people or authorities are contacted right away.

Monitoring contracts are ideal for high-risk properties and those located in isolated areas since they guarantee a response, regardless of the circumstances.

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR CAR DEALERSHIPS

Access control is a fundamental component of both data and physical security that dictates who is allowed to gain access and who isn’t.

For physical properties such as car dealerships, access control systems can be used instead of the traditional lock and key mechanism since they allow a much greater level of control.

They can be used on the main entrances into the property as well as specific areas inside it such as the owner’s office.

Access control systems are generally keyless entry systems that use a variety of authentication methods to verify and allow or disallow entry into an area.

Some of the most common authentication methods include:

• Access cards
• Access codes
• Proximity fob
• Fingerprints
• Retina patterns
• Facial recognition
• Voice recognition

They vary in the level of security that they provide and can be used individually or as part of a two-factor authentication system for added security.

Access cards are portable cards usually the size of a credit card, which can be inserted into the system, swiped, or scanned using RFID technology to grant access through electrically-locked doors.

Access codes are entered via a numeric keypad fixed on the system that works quite like entering the PIN into an ATM. Entering the correct PIN gives you access into your account and its funds while the incorrect PIN blocks access.

Biometrics such as fingerprints, retina patterns, and facial and voice recognition is one of the safest and most secure authentication methods available.

While both access cards and codes can be lost or shared, biometrics eliminates all such issues since it uses your unique biological features to grant access.

The system checks the unique identifiers with an earlier saved version of the data and if they match, the system verifies the user’s identity permitting them to enter. If the data doesn’t match, the entry points remain locked and access is denied.

In addition to granting and denying access, keyless entry systems also help keep track of the users’ activity which can be extremely helpful to car dealership owners in keeping a check on both their employees and visitors.

With access control systems, you can also be notified every time someone tries to gain access, giving you more information and control over who enters your property, even from a remote location.

OTHER SECURITY MEASURES TO TAKE

CCTV cameras, burglar alarms, and access control systems form the basis of business security systems, and all three of them can be integrated to maximise security even further.

There are other basic security measures that all business owners must take to ensure all areas of the business always remain protected.

They can be as simple as illuminating the premises and training your employees to adopt the best security practices.

Securing the perimeter

Securing the perimeter of your car dealership is an important step to keep intruders and trespassers out.

It is mandatory to make the boundary of the property visible that acts as a physical barrier between your business and the outside world.

This can be achieved through both natural and man-made barriers and can contribute to the safety of the cars, salesrooms, offices, and other facilities on the property.

Installing security lights

Illuminating the property and the area around it puts everything in plain sight and makes it difficult for criminals to use the dark as a cover.

You may opt for LED bulbs with motion sensors which are efficient, easy to install, and highly durable, in addition to lighting up instantly as soon as someone enters the premises.

Also, you may install light timers that can be set to automatically turn on during the evening or before it starts to get dark.

Train staff members and employees

Employees form a huge part of any business and they must understand the security risks and the best ways to deal with them.

If an employee is careless and doesn’t lock up behind them, or tends to lose their keys or access codes/cards, they might put the entire property at risk.

Therefore, every single person, from the owner of the car dealership to the sweeper, must be properly trained to implement the best practices and understand how the security systems work.

Take help from professionals

Most of the time, due to lack of knowledge and expertise, business owners tend to overlook huge security vulnerabilities putting the entire property, and the people inside it, at risk.

The best way to ensure that you have done all that is required, it is recommended that you seek professional help and contact a security company who can not just provide you with state-of-the-art security systems, but also assess your requirements and recommend the best solutions for your needs.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

We are professionals working in the security industry for over 40 years and our vast experience enables us to understand the various needs and requirements of different types of properties including car dealerships.

Car dealerships are built a certain way with valuable assets out in the open, presenting their own set of security risks and issues.

We provide a comprehensive security solution that includes not just professional installation of security systems but also their monitoring, maintenance, and repair.

We are SSAIB approved installers and follow all the best practices in the industry. We do not compromise on quality and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security equipment.

We have experience working for large scale commercial enterprises as well as smaller businesses and can advise on the best type of system for your needs.

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.

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.

Contact us right away to make your car dealerships secure from all kinds of security threats, making it a pleasant experience for you, your employees, and your customers.

Photo by Alex Suprun on Unsplash