Types of Commercial Security Systems

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Security systems are important for all kinds of businesses and commercial properties. Not only do they protect your property from security threats but also help keep your employees and customers safe.

No business owner wants to deal with the loss of assets and unhappy employees due to being broken into by burglars. Such instances halt the company’s growth and have a lasting psychological impact on the victims who experience it first-hand.

Regardless of the size and type of commercial property, installing security systems that match your company’s needs is important for your peace of mind and the business’s growth.

There are several types of commercial security systems, from alarm systems to video surveillance and access control. They may also include other useful features such as fire and smoke detection.

Read on to find out more about the different types of commercial security systems, what systems are available, why they are so important, and more:

COMMERCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS

If you’re an entrepreneur, you would know how difficult it is to run a business. In order to ensure the business’s growth, everything must run smoothly; from the finances to employee morale, client retention, and an overall healthy environment.

Most of these factors circle back to a very critical aspect of smooth operations – commercial security – which is something that most businesses often tend to overlook.

Designed to keep security threats at bay, commercial security systems are indispensable to any type of business as they provide consistency in business operations and the safety of assets, intellectual property, and most important of all, human life.

The term ‘commercial security systems’ is used to refer to security systems for a variety of commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, and more. These systems are an important investment for any commercial building and must be given due importance.

When looking for a security system for your commercial property, the first thing to consider is the kind of security your business requires. You need to make sure it has the right features and functionality to fit your requirements.

For instance, the owner of a retail shop would be looking for solutions for shoplifting and break-ins, whereas an office owner or manager would be predominantly concerned about making sure all the assets are safe and there is no unauthorised access.

At the same time, they would take the necessary precautions to avoid threats such as accidents, fires, and other situations that may put human life in danger.

TYPES OF COMMERCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS

When it comes to the types of commercial security systems available in the market, the following are the most common ones:

BURGLAR ALARMS

Burglar alarms, also called security or intruder alarms, are designed to alert you in case of unauthorised entry into a building, a secure area within a building, or a secure installation such as a safe.

They work using a number of sensor types, with the most basic systems made to monitor a property for security breaches such as the unauthorised opening of a door or breaking of a window.

When movement is detected by the system, a loud siren often accompanied by flashing lights is activated. This alerts everyone in the vicinity of the alarm and draws attention to the perpetrator as soon as they try to bypass the security system.

Burglar alarms are an important security investment for all commercial properties as they help deter potential intruders and make you less likely to become a target. They are also often a requirement by insurance companies.

There are a few different types of burglar alarms and the best one for your business depends on the level of protection and response you require.

A bells-only burglar alarm makes a loud noise when it is activated and alerts everyone nearby of the intrusion. It requires someone to take action after hearing the alarm and is a good choice for commercial properties and areas with people always present.

A dialler burglar alarm automatically contacts you or your emergency contacts when the alarm is triggered with a pre-recorded message or text alert to inform you of the activation. Once you receive the alert, it is up to you to decide how to respond to it.

A smart burglar alarm allows you to control and manage the system using your smartphone, even when you’re away, and alerts you of any alarm activations through an app.

A monitored burglar alarm is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) where trained professionals receive the alarm, review it, and take the necessary action such as informing the owners and calling the police.

CCTV/SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras are one of the most effective security systems used to protect both the inside and outside of your commercial premises.

They can be extremely useful as they provide both live and recorded video footage of different areas of your property, helping you keep an eye on all the high-risk areas at once. As soon as someone steps foot on your property, you can be alerted of their presence so that you can take the necessary steps.

If an intruder manages to get in, the cameras will capture their movement and appearance, which can be very helpful to the police when catching the criminal and retrieving the stolen items.

CCTV systems usually consist of a number of cameras connected to a central digital video recorder (DVR) or a computer either using wires or over Wi-Fi.

There are several types of CCTV cameras available for commercial use. Some of the most popular ones include bullet, dome, c-mount, PTZ, day/night, infrared/night vision, network/IP, wireless, and high-definition CCTV cameras.

They may include features such as facial recognition, automatic motion detectors, security lighting, and integration with other security systems.

When choosing the best CCTV camera for your commercial property, there are a few important considerations you need to keep in mind such as the resolution of the camera and the quality of the recorded footage.

CCTV footage can be accessed on remote devices such as mobile phones and laptops and can also be transmitted to a remote monitoring facility where the alerts can be forwarded to the police and other relevant individuals.

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Access control systems are one of the most popular types of commercial security systems. Their main purpose is to control and manage who enters or leaves a building or an area within the building.

These security systems along with their accompanying software allow commercial property owners to limit who can go into the building or specific parts of it using several authentication methods such as passcodes, key fobs, access cards, biometrics, or apps.

Controlling access within a building is a great way to keep track of any indiscretions and makes your property less likely to fall victim to break-ins, burglaries, and unauthorised visitors.

Access control systems can collect data including the time a person has entered the building, which is incredibly important for keeping a track of all the employees and other users of the system.

There are three main types of access control systems – mandatory access control, discretionary access control, and role-based access control.

Mandatory Access Control (MAC) refers to a non-discretionary system that provides the highest level of security with the most restrictive protection.

These systems are best used in high-risk properties with confidential data and information such as government buildings, healthcare facilities, banks and financial institutions, and military projects.

Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is best suited for properties that require the most flexibility and ease of use, and for organisations where a high level of security is not required. Some common use cases include start-ups, small businesses, and schools and coaching centres.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) refers to a system where an organisation’s management controls access within certain areas based on the position of the user and their role within the organisation.

The roles may be categorised according to the job responsibilities of the individuals, for instance, data centres and control rooms are only accessible to the technical team, whereas restricted and high-security areas are accessible only to the administration.

OTHER COMMERCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS

Fire alarms don’t detect burglaries or intrusions but are an extremely important part of commercial safety. They help detect the earliest signs of a fire and prevent you from losing assets, valuables, and human life in case a fire breaks out on the premises.

Installing and maintaining an effective fire alarm system is the responsibility of the owners of the building and is also a requirement under the fire safety laws in the UK.

In addition to installing access control systems, you may install security barriers such as turnstiles and rising bollards to limit the movement of people and vehicles on the property.

It is also very important to keep the area well-illuminated, especially during night-time, so that every inch of the property is in view and there is no place for criminals to hide and take advantage of.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMERCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS

Security threats such as burglaries and intrusions have been a serious issue affecting most commercial properties in the UK. The statistics pertaining to it are staggering and have incurred losses in millions over the years.

Luckily, the numbers have started to drop, which is mostly due to the fact that business owners are now understanding the importance of commercial security systems and are having them installed on their properties.

Commercial security systems are a major investment in businesses all over the country and offer a considerable number of benefits, some of which include:

Deterring burglars

Thieves and burglars prefer easy targets where they can break in and steal without being noticed or seen by anyone.

For this reason, they target properties without any proper security measures and systems because they know they can easily get away with the crime.

Therefore, installing commercial security systems such as advanced alarms and CCTV cameras will deter burglars before they even think of targeting your property and causing you and your business any harm.

Keeping employees safe

Employees are the backbone of any business and are viewed by their employers as the most important contributors to the success and growth of the business.

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep your employees safe from threats, and the best way to do so is to use commercial security systems such as alarms and CCTV cameras.

The inability to provide a safe working space for your employees can not only affect the growth of your business but can also land you in trouble if any of your employees get hurt during a security incident such as a break-in or burglary.

Preventing employee theft

Although they all go through proper screening and are responsible for safeguarding the company’s assets, some employees, especially disgruntled ones, may exploit the trust that their employers have in them and steal from the business.

Not only could this lead to financial losses for the company but may also create an unsafe and unhealthy working environment for others.

Commercial security systems such as alarms, surveillance cameras, and access control can make it easy for employers to keep an eye on the employees’ activities and help catch any untoward instances such as employee theft and other issues such as fights and vandalism.

Improving employee productivity

Depending on the size of your business, it may be difficult for you to monitor all your employees to make sure they are working as expected. This gives employees the chance to sleep while at work and not perform their duties well.

With security systems such as surveillance cameras, you can keep an eye on every corner and on every person present on the premises to make sure they are performing their duties to the best of their abilities.

Also, since security systems help create a safer and more secure environment for everyone, it boosts employee productivity and gives them the surety that they are safe and protected while at work.

Attracting and retaining customers

Customers and clients are an important part of business and the main source of income. Therefore, it is extremely important for them to feel safe on your premises.

A business that is often targeted for burglaries, theft, and vandalism may scare away existing as well as potential customers for the fear of being caught in the middle of it.

Installing commercial security systems helps create a comfortable and secure environment where your customers can visit without worrying about their safety.

Saving on insurance

Insurance companies have strategic policies for determining the amount of money they’ll be charging businesses in the form of premiums.

Commercial properties that don’t have any security systems in place are typically charged a higher premium compared to those that do. This is because the former is considered high-risk whereas the latter is classified as low-risk.

You can save up on a lot of money by installing the right security systems and having them regularly maintained. For more information on discounts, you need to consult with your insurance company.

Boosting corporate reputation

The reputation of a business not only depends on its ability to provide quality products and services and how much profit it is making, but also on how much it cares for its employees and customers and how it portrays itself to members of the public.

A business that has taken the necessary security precautions in the form of commercial security systems is seen as responsible and one that is prepared for any eventuality. This doesn’t only attract customers to the business but also potential investors.

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.

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