Burglary is one of the most common crimes to affect small businesses in the UK, repeat burglary rates are also much higher than residential, showing that business owners are not increasing security following a break in.

So where should a business start when reviewing and upgrading their security levels.

Multiple locks and devices are required to fully protect any sort of building these days, locks need to be fitted to all external doors and windows, and alarm systems can be used along with other physical and visual security devices, such as window bars.

Door and Window Locks

Unlike domestic insurance policies, insurance for business premises will often not specify what standard of locks are required to be fitted to doors and windows, lock specification for commercial properties can be difficult due to the different types of doors and windows that are fitted to shops and business units.  Ideally a mortice lock should be used with all external doors, mortice locks are installed into the edge of a door, which gives a strong base with minimal amounts of the lock case visible.  For shops or units with hollow metal doors, specialist metal door locks should be used.

Windows also need to be fully secured with a key operated lock, many locks for windows are available depending on material, size, colour and opening type.

Roller shutter doors that are used to allow vehicle access into an industrial unit, need specialist locks to fully secure and lock them.  Small bullet locks and housings can be fitted to each runner to restrict upward movement, internal locks can be fitted with locking arms and ground mounted locks can also be used to restrict upward movement of the door.

Master key suites of locks and keys are very popular within office buildings, a set of keys is used to access each lock, and then a master key can be used to open all the locks.  Master key suites can be supplied with registered security keys, this allows only authorised personnel to order replacement keys.

Alarm System

Insurance companies will often stipulate some form of intruder alarm to conform to policy requirements, monitored alarms allow a third party company or the police to be notified in the event of a break in.  For smaller firms, wireless systems are now readily available, these can easily be fitted by any budding DIYer.  A well placed outside bell box will provide visual protection for the building as well.

Additional Security Devices

Building security is as much about physical and perceived protection, a property that looks secure is less likely to be targeted, many items can be used to give the impression of a secure building.

CCTV cameras can be used to catch people in the act and also provide visual protection, just the presence of cameras can deter a criminal from even attempting to gain entry.

Large window bars offer both physical and visual protection

Security lights with motion sensors can be used to good effect to automatically switch on when they are approached, these can be used to illuminate the front of a building or a dark corner where an intruder could hide.

If your office has dedicated parking or a car park, this also needs to be considered when upgrading office security.  Removal or retracting parking posts or bollards offer good protection to a building.  Any gates also need to be secured with a dedicated gate lock or high security padlock and chain

IT theft

The theft of IT equipment or data can be extremely damaging to a company, IT equipment is easy to move on, and any sensitive data could be worth a lot of money to the correct people.  Simple steps can be taken to protect equipment and data such as, keeping computers hidden from sight or well away from accessible windows, most computing equipment is now fitted with special security holes that allow a lock and cable to be fitted.  Network servers and any on-site backups should be placed in a locked room or security cage, also make sure that a full of site backup procedure is in place.