How to Improve Your Business Security: Access Control Systems, CCTV and More

If you run a business facility or complex then it should be a top priority to make sure it’s adequately secure and safe which means installing and maintaining top-notch security measures. This can include access control via access control systems and traffic barriers, perimeter installations like fencing and automatic gates, and increased visibility via lighting and CCTV.

This guide will outline these various measures and explain how reputable and well-experienced locksmiths and ironmongers like us here at William Channon can take care of these with our hardware service plan!

Access Control: Entrances and Exits

A crucial part of securing your business includes making sure your entrances and exits are adequately secured by controlling who has access to particular entrances and areas of your facility.

Access Control Systems

The best way to increase the security of your business is to be able to control who can enter and exit particular buildings. The best way to do this effectively is to incorporate a number of different types of entrances and exits to provide the right level of access to different areas of the premises.

If your business is consumer-oriented and you have a lot of in-person customers, it’s generally best that the main entrance is an automatic door. Not only can these be put on a timer to turn on and off automatically but they’re also a very energy-efficient option, allowing you to better control your air conditioning. Plus, you won’t need to pay for a member of staff to stand by the door for your customers.

If you run a hotel or a large industrial complex where you’ll likely need different levels of access for different members of staff, using keypads and other door access control systems is a great idea. This way, you can tailor exactly who has access to specific areas of your business which will give you much more security and peace of mind.

For hotels, having effective electronic door locks is essential, which is why you should use professional and reputable services like ours here at William Channon for all of your access control and security needs!

Turnstiles and Barriers

Aside from access control, you’ll also want to make sure you can monitor who is coming and going, and be able to manage this if needs be. A good way to do this is to install some form of turnstile or recording machine that will make a note of how many people are currently in the building, allowing you to assess when your busiest and quietest times are. Not only will this increase your security but it’ll also allow you to streamline your business and make it more efficient.

Another little-used but very effective way of monitoring and controlling who can and can’t use your facilities is to opt for traffic barriers. These will only allow access to those with a number PIN or a special card which is important so you’ll have enough parking spaces for customers rather than having non-customers use them all up. It’ll also make sure no unauthorised heavy vehicles can enter your facility which is important for largescale dangerous industrial complexes.

Perimeter Measures

It’s also important to secure your perimeters, regardless of whether you’re running a huge industrial complex or a very small business.

Security Fencing

The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure you have the most secure perimeter possible. If your facility uses expensive machinery or involves dangerous substances, equipment or materials then you may wish to use a solid wall to reduce visibility. Most fences must be a minimum of 6 feet high to be classed as ‘security fencing’ and most reach around 8 feet, whereas prisons and maximum security areas often have fences over 14 feet tall!

Palisade fencing is popular, often consisting of metal slats with spikes at the top, secured together in sections. Otherwise, businesses may opt for mesh for a more cost-effective and subtle form of security fencing. If you go to a reputable and well-established locksmith and security company, like ours here at William Channon, we’ll be able to create bespoke solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Automatic Gates

If you need to up your security but also allow access to vehicles throughout the day then installing automatic gates is a great way to strike two birds with one stone. You can make sure key drivers have the access they require whilst keeping out unwanted and unauthorised vehicles for the rest of the day. Plus, automatic gates allow you to save time that’s otherwise wasted on getting out of the vehicle and having to open gates manually. In essence, automatic gates are an important part of your access control system despite being a factor that’s often forgotten about.

Furthermore, there are a couple of factors you’ll want to carefully consider when you’re picking an automatic gate. Firstly, how would you like it to open? Would a sliding gate be most convenient or would it be better to opt for a bi-folding or swinging model instead? You should also think about what material you’d like your gate to be made from. Would an aesthetically-pleasing traditional wooden gate be a good option or should you opt for stronger steel or wrought iron alternatives? What about the lightness and cost-effectiveness of aluminium?

Increased Visibility

One of the most important things you’ll want to do if you’re upgrading the security of your business is to increase the visibility you have over your facilities. This will allow you to defend yourself and the business you run from baseless accusations and mistruths and it’ll allow you to assess situations much more effectively, finding solutions quicker.

Lights

The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your facility uses an adequate lighting system. Using motion-sensitive lights is a good way to do this in an eco-friendly manner. Not only are they a cost-effective means of improving your visibility but they have a range of side benefits.

For example, they’ll act as a deterrent against potential trespassers as well as over-comfortable wildlife like birds, foxes and rodents. They’ll also make your facility look a lot more presentable and professional, rather than being gloomy and dark. If your facility uses roads or a car park then lighting should be a top priority as the right lights will greatly reduce the number of traffic accidents your employees or customers have.

CCTV

CCTV is often the first thing we think of when we consider security measures for businesses and they’re beneficial for a range of reasons. For example, they’re useful because they:

• Provide evidence, should you need to defend yourself and your business from accusations

• Deter theft and vandalism to your business property

• Can be used to monitor staff safety and performance

• Can be used to keep an eye on your business if you’re away

• Help you claim on insurance if anything goes wrong whilst reducing your insurance premiums in the meantime.

Plus, there are a number of different types of CCTV cameras to choose from, allowing you to install a mix to fit your specific requirements and optimise the security of your business in the most effective way possible. Whether you think you need bullet cameras with night vision and high-quality image resolution, pan tilt and zoom cameras for an increased range of visibility, or discreet CCTV for disguised monitoring, it’s important to research the various models available before buying any models!

Commercial Locksmiths

A great way to make sure all of the above installations are of high quality and they get serviced regularly is to opt for a reliable locksmith and security company. Here at William Channon, we offer a Hardware Service Pla which can cover all of your doors and security access systems. This will cover hinges, overhead closers, floor springs, cylinders, handles, lockcases, pull handles, intumescent and emergency exit hardware.

This plan is beneficial for businesses as it’s a cheaper option in the long run than having to repair or replace your doors a couple of times a year. For £3.50 per door or £30 when billed annually, all of your doors are completely covered and you won’t need to organise individual visits and pay endless fees each time you have a problem.

At William Channon, all our staff are very highly trained and well experienced. We will work hard to find bespoke and tailored solutions to your business’ security needs because safety and security are our top priority and we highly value complete customer satisfaction. For professional ironmongery and both domestic and commercial locksmiths services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 0330 100 5313 today!