Theft and break-ins do not only cause a dent in your business’s finances. It can create a loss of confidence in your business and increased anxiety from your workers. Whether you manage a grocery, a big factory, or an institution, the need for security remains the same. It should always be on top of your priorities. Safeguarding your employees and assets contributes to the success and growth of your business.
Security is not limited to CCTV cameras alone. A broken doorknob, as simple as it may seem, can be a risk for security breaches and theft inside the workplace. The door, as simple and as straightforward as it may appear, is one of the foundations of a secure building for your business.
To be able to fortify the security of your business, you should begin it at your doorsteps. Here are helpful tips on how you can achieve this.
The great thing about keyless door systems is that there is a specific code assigned to each user, making it easier to track everyone. One can easily deactivate and activate one’s access when it’s misplaced, lost, or as needed. Traditional keys can be duplicated and stolen, and it would be inconvenient to replace them compared to a keyless lock system. It is way more convenient and a quick update from the traditional lock and key door.
Going keyless may require a higher investment, but the maintenance cost is much smaller compared to having to duplicate several keys to provide access to personnel. Additionally, keyless door access prevents issues like keeping track of where the keys are, issues with key turnover during long working hours, and revoking access.
Door Reader
Similar to a keyless door lock system, a door reader will also require an employee to present a unique identification, this time a PIN, to be able to enter the premises. The need for physical credentials is eliminated, decreasing the possibility of having a lock or key stolen. However, the sharing of PINs still exists among employees. To gain more control, limiting PIN access to certain employees to particular areas in the workplace is a must.
In this scenario, the need for physical keys and having several duplicates is eliminated, too. Changing PIN code access is as easy as a few clicks, compared to having to retrieve duplicates from employees issued with access. However, there is still a risk in sharing PIN access with employees.
Smart Door Locks and Hardware
If there is one big advantage with smart locks and doors compared to traditional locks, they are harder to pick. Unlike a traditional key that can be used several times to open a door potentially, smart locks come with lock-out features. Attempting to guess the door PIN several times is only limited to a specific number of attempts. Most of the time, three wrong tries can lock out a user.
But how about hacking? Hacking smart locks via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can happen for outdated locks. However, well-built smart locks are harder to hack and have little risk associated with them compared to traditional locks. Additionally, burglars do not go around carrying sophisticated tools to open a smart lock. If they use force, such as crowbars, the smart lock will alert you your door is opened with force.
Door Status Monitoring
Monitoring doors in real-time instead of only after a breach occurs limits potential losses. Connect smart locks, sensors, and access control systems to provide alerts when a door is forced or left unlocked after hours. Building a dashboard showing all entryways with green/red status indicators enables quick identification of compromised access points.
Taking this a step further, integrate camera feeds and intrusion detection to trigger alerts when a door is tampered with or used during unauthorized times. The faster a security team can investigate and respond to suspicious activity, the better protected the premises will be against theft and vandalism.
Multipoint Locking System
Rather than securing a door at only the handle or deadbolt, installing multipoint locking systems bolts the frame at hinge sides, top, and bottom. This makes forcing the door inward from any direction extremely difficult without excessive damage. Including flipping latch guards also prevents prying the door open from the outside, even if glass windows are broken.
Upgrading to 3-point or higher locking doors in areas with sensitive assets provides powerful protection against smash-and-grab robberies. The redundant locks significantly slow down attacks, once again buying time for security teams to react. The visible nature signals robust defences, deterring criminals from targeting easier buildings instead of yours.
Composite Door Handles
Metal handles may seem durable but can snap or break internally given enough force, allowing intruders to easily open the door. Solid composite handles made from fibreglass or carbon fibre-reinforced polymers withstand incredible amounts of pressure without cracking. Attaching composite handles adds strength for kicking or prying resistance.
If the underlying locking mechanism fails, composite handles still prevent the door from swinging open easily. The stubborn resistance signals that greater force is required, slowing down attacks and potentially forcing criminals to abandon the attempt. Their visibility promises powerfully reinforced entryways that are off-putting to opportunistic burglars.
Solid-Core Door and Door Frames
Hollow-core wooden doors stand little chance against forceful kicking, battering, or rams. Likewise, thin sheet metal doors can bend or crack under sufficient brute force. Upgrading exterior doors and frames to solid wood or steel composites prevents easy destruction, buying precious reaction time. For interior high-security rooms, Class 5 vault doors bring 12+ inch solid steel resistance capable of enduring hours of attack.
Installing solid, tight-fitting frames rated for comparable strength as the doors themselves ensures structural integrity against corner attacks seeking to dislodge the door from its housing. Anchoring the bottom frame firmly against attempts to wedge pry bars also forces extended attack times. The stronger the total package, the less attractive the location appears for quick smash-and-grab jobs.
Contact Alpha Locksmith London to Fortify Your Business Against Threats
Implementing robust security measures may require more upfront investment, but pays long-term dividends through significantly reduced risk of breaches. When your defences combine layers of reinforced entryways, smart access control, real-time monitoring, and stringent protocols, you position your business to prosper through enhanced safety of staff and assets. With a little forethought and focus on the task at hand, you can develop ironclad defences to serve your enterprise now and long into the future. For professional guidance securing your premises, contact Alpha Locksmith London at 519-914-0921 or alphalocksmithlondon@gmail.com for a consultation.
