Why Every Business Owner Should Consider a Security Audit

Commercial properties, especially those that hold stock overnight, are under constant threat of break-ins and theft. This risk requires businesses to continually stay up to date with their security, evolving it to meet modern standards.

A security audit will help you identify your business’s vulnerabilities and weak spots, allowing you to address them before an incident occurs. In this article, we’ll explain security audits in detail, as well as underlining why an audit should be at the top of your priority list.

What is a security audit?

A security audit is a thorough examination of the security measures that a business is currently taking. The main aim of a security audit is to find any weaknesses that may be exploited by intruders, before rectifying them accordingly.

The audit will focus on every aspect of the building’s security, including:

• Access points: The building’s entry points will be examined to find out how easy it is to get into the building undetected. The effectiveness of the locking systems will be tested, as well as the strength of doors and windows.

• Surveillance equipment: All CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and motion detection devices will be tested. If there are none of these devices present, an audit can help with devising a strategic plan for future installation.

• Physical security: During an audit, the physical security barriers will be identified and analysed. These include the outer walls of the building, as well as fences, bollards, and car park barriers.

• Incident response: Preventing a break-in is one thing, responding to one is another. The audit will test the response time and efficiency to see where improvements can be made.

A security audit is more than just a routine check around a business’s premises. Instead, it encourages proactive change, ensuring that the business takes all the necessary steps to avoid break-ins and theft of inventory.

The benefits of a business security audit

Security audits are vital for business owners, as they offer a clear picture of the company’s current security situation. An audit will highlight where the company is doing well security-wise, and more importantly, where it needs to be improved.

Here are the reasons why all business owners need to consider running an in-depth security audit.

Identifying vulnerable areas

A security audit will highlight any shortcomings in a business’ security setup. It can find weaknesses in the access control of a building, which may allow for the easy access of unauthorised individuals. It will also find any faults in the building’s surveillance system.

These faults can include:

• Obstructed CCTV: If the lens of a CCTV camera is being obstructed, it will render the camera obsolete. This can leave large areas of the building unsupervised.

• Faulty equipment: If a building’s surveillance equipment hasn’t been maintained properly, it can quickly become faulty. This may involve false alarms, a camera not recording when it should be, or motion detection systems not registering movement.

• Interrupted connection: With so many surveillance systems running on Wi-Fi connections, a simple disconnection can throw a spanner in the entire system’s works.

A security audit will also help you identify the main target areas for intruders and thieves. With commercial properties these are, more often than not, the areas where inventory is kept overnight.

Knowing the areas of the building that are most vulnerable will help you to understand where you need to focus your attention the most.

Security strategy planning

Effective security isn’t just about putting up a few cameras and an alarm system. Instead, it’s a strategic process that requires appropriate care and attention in order to be effective.

A security audit will help you with security strategies. It will determine the number of cameras you need, where to place your security devices, and what type of system would suit your building best.

For example, the audit results may recommend you switch from a lock and key system to a code-based or biometric system. It may also suggest you switch from bullet cameras to dome cameras in the store area, and invest in night-vision cameras for outdoor areas.

Improving incident response

A security audit will measure the efficiency and speed of response if an incident was to take place. The slower the response to break-ins, the lower the chance of the perpetrators being caught. A slow response will also increase the chances that stolen inventory will be lost for good.

The audit will help you to develop a plan of action for emergencies, giving you a greater chance of catching the criminals in the act.

Staff and customer safety

Of course, a security system isn’t solely in place to keep an eye on stock and equipment. It is also there to maintain the safety of employees and customers that enter the building.

An updated security system following an audit will create a safer environment, encouraging productivity and trust in the company.

Reducing costs

While you’ll have to fork out for the audit and subsequent security improvements, you’ll find that you’ll end up saving money in the long run. Not only will your expensive stock be protected, but you will also be able to save on insurance premiums.

Insurance companies won’t charge you as much on your business insurance, as your upgraded building will be perceived as less of a risk.

Deterrance

Once you’ve acted on the recommendations brought up in the audit, your business building will be far less attractive to burglars. Not only will they be put off by visible high-quality cameras and alarms, they’ll also find it harder to break into the perimeter of the building.

Protect your commercial property with Incognito Systems

As opportunistic criminals become more sophisticated, so should your business’s security system. At Incognito Systems, we have years of experience in business security strategy and installation.

Our Northamptonshire-based security experts can devise the ideal plan to keep your commercial property protected. We won’t try and sell you anything you don’t want or need, instead curating a bespoke solution to fit your needs.

Contact Incognito Systems today for more information on how we can keep your property safe and sound.