5 Biggest Mistakes Companies Make When It Comes to Security

Like any business effort, good security requires effective planning, execution and management. You need to make security a priority and be committed to setting up a system that works for your business long term.

While the security needs of companies vary greatly based on the business and the building, being aware of some of the common pitfalls companies encounter can make the process a little smoother.

Is Your Company Making These Common Security Mistakes?

Here are some of the most common missteps companies make when it comes to security—and how you can avoid them:

1. Not budgeting for it

Businesses often fail to budget for security. They go into the process of having a security system installed without a specific amount allocated for it. Not having a budget tends to significantly slow down the process of choosing a system and getting it up and running.

Part of the problem is many companies have no idea what to expect when it comes to costs—only seasoned companies that have worked with a security integrator have an idea of what a security budget will be. But setting up a specific budget helps make security a priority and enables you to better explore your options.

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to building a security budget, this is where working with a security integrator can be helpful. An integrator can help you identify your most critical needs and help you understand what it will cost to implement it.

2. Not having goals and objectives

When it comes to security, it’s important to be able to answer the question: What problem are you trying to solve? Knowing the answer to this question will point you in the direction of the right solution.

Here are some examples of specific goals companies have for security:

• Control who enters the building – We recently had a visit with a prospective client in a multi-tenant building. One problem they were facing was they didn’t have a receptionist and they were having a lot of people wander in. Employees were feeling unsafe. They wanted access control and an intercom system to prevent random people from entering. They also needed access control to allow employees to get in different places throughout the building.
• Protect equipment – Companies with warehouses need to protect their inventory. They may need access control, an alarm system, or video records of what’s happening in specific areas.
• Loss prevention – Many companies are worried about theft of company goods. They want video surveillance so they can have evidence that something was taken or damaged either inside or outside of a facility.

These are just a few potential security objectives you may want to consider. Once you understand your needs and goals, you’ll be better positioned to develop your security budget.

3. Making one camera do too many things

When it comes to video surveillance, many companies put too much strain on one camera and it hinders the effectiveness of their security. They may want one camera to watch an entire large parking lot, but also be able to zoom in a hundred feet to see a license plate.

While many of today’s professional-grade surveillance cameras are cutting edge, they can still only do so much. If you expect a camera to deliver clarity over a great distance or zoom beyond its range, you will be disappointed in the results. It’s better to have multiple strategically positioned cameras that you know will get the job done rather than relying on one that may or may not deliver.

4. Trying to cut corners

With all the DIY security products on the market today, many companies try to cut corners by getting lower-cost equipment and setting it up themselves. Problem is, if (and typically when) it doesn’t work, they end up paying twice because they need to bring in a professional to get everything working well.

Start by determining your needs and budget with a professional security integrator instead of starting at a big box store. If you start by looking online, you’ll see you can get a cheap camera for $40. Then when you get a quote from a professional company, it seems really high. But DIY cameras don’t compare to professional cameras. While you may pay less up front with the DYI approach, it will end up costing you in the long run when the cameras don’t function as you need them to.

5. Not having someone in charge of security

Many companies invest a great deal of money into their security system and installation without having a plan for what happens next. Who is going to administer it? Who is in charge of controlling it? Who is the point of contact if a door won’t open or something goes wrong?

You need to develop a set of protocols and procedures for after your security system is installed. You wouldn’t believe how many times companies get everything installed and then never touch it. To really make your security system work for your business you need to designate a point person to manage your system.

Avoid These Business Security Mistakes by Consulting with a Professional

The security of your business is definitely not an area where you want to make mistakes. The best place to start when setting up a security system is to talk to a professional. Many companies offer free on-site surveys (including ACT), where professionals will walk the grounds to find out what you’re trying to accomplish and make some recommendations. Security all starts with smart business choices.