Businesses of all scopes and sizes rely on office spaces to complete important administrative tasks, foster a strong company culture, and help achieve the unique goals of their organisation.
While remote work is more popular than ever, offices are still widespread across the UK, from small back offices in local businesses to sprawling office complexes used by multinational corporations, each one featuring a wide range of valuable assets and sensitive information.
As a result, each office space must have suitable security measures in place, not only to protect assets, data, cash, etc., but also to keep employees and clients safe during working hours. Failure to provide adequate office security can therefore have a huge impact on the finances and reputation of any business, highlighting the importance of investing in the best security solutions available.
Continue reading the blog below for a comprehensive guide on how to improve office security, as recommended by leading UK locksmith, Lock & Key!
Invest in CCTV Systems
Regardless of the size of the office or operations taking place, locksmiths always recommend installing a robust CCTV system to help protect the premises. Security cameras are one of the most effective crime deterrents available, reducing various risks such as unauthorised entry, internal theft, vandalism, etc.
Should any crime occur in the office, a CCTV system ensures there is suitable evidence to help identify the participants in subsequent investigations and prosecutions.
CCTV can also make offices safer by spotting workplace hazards and ensuring appropriate health and safety compliance, while also providing employees and visitors peace of mind that adequate security is in place.
Plus, with various CCTV systems available, it’s easy to find the right security system for each office, regardless of its size or operations. Hiring a reputable locksmith, such as the team here at Lock & Key, to survey the office space is a great way to identify the best CCTV for each business, while also ensuring high-quality installation that meets necessary insurance and safety compliance.
Install Security Alarms
Another method that locksmiths use to boost office security is installing security alarms across the premises. As with CCTV systems, security alarms are a highly effective deterrent, making criminals think twice about entering an office unauthorised.
Should someone without authorisation enter the office, the security alarm will trigger, allowing for a prompt response from security personnel and/or the police. It’s also possible to integrate alarms with other security systems, such as CCTV, to provide around-the-clock protection for the office, helping to keep employees safe and limit the risk of theft, vandalism, etc.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Lighting
Offices often have a reputation for their fluorescent lighting that creates a unique ambience, but these lights can play a vital role in protecting the premises. For instance, installing high-quality security lighting inside and outside of the office can greatly reduce the risks of break-ins, especially as these tend to happen at night when criminals are less visible.
Bright lighting will always make burglars reconsider breaking into an office, as most prefer to work in darker conditions, while those who do commit a crime will be much more visible on a security camera, increasing the chances of them being caught.
Locksmiths suggest using motion sensor lighting to improve office security, which uses infrared sensors to trigger the lighting when it detects movement. Not only are motion sensor lights great for security, but they are also cost-effective, as they don’t need to be on 24/7, helping to keep energy bills low.
Make Sure Quality Locks are in Place
Installing high-quality locking systems is one of the best ways to increase overall security in an office space. It’s a good idea to install locks throughout an office, including entrances, office doors, windows, staffrooms, and on storage equipment like filing cabinets.
With quality locks in place, sensitive data held in offices, such as client information, financial records, and other important assets like computer equipment, cash, and inventory, remains safe from internal and external theft.
Quality locking systems provide outstanding protection from break-ins, using durable materials and complex keyways to prevent forced entry, drilling, and lockpicking. So, if the presence of quality locks doesn’t deter would-be criminals, they’ll keep employees and valuables safe.
Consider hiring a professional locksmith to survey the office, as they can analyse current locking systems and recommend suitable upgrades. There’s a wide range of locks that can improve office security, so consulting with an experienced locksmith, such as here at Lock & Key, is a great way to find the best solutions for each organisation’s unique requirements.
Consider an Access Control System
While a sophisticated access control system may seem like a large investment for an office, it pays off when it comes to improving safety and security. By restricting access throughout the office premises, these robust security systems lower the risk of unauthorised entry while also streamlining operations by providing employees and visitors with quick and easy access to authorised areas.
There are various types of access control systems available for an office, with popular options including keypads, fobs, keycards, and biometrics. By offering keyless entry to office areas, access control systems can reduce the security risks of lost or duplicate keys, saving time and resources to manage keys manually.
Plus, it’s easy to customise access control systems for improved security, such as restricting access to sensitive areas for management only.
Given the wide range of systems available and the advanced technology they use, it’s recommended to partner with an expert locksmithing company familiar with access control. Doing so can help to determine the best access control system for each office, ensuring installation meets necessary compliance, and for hassle-free maintenance, updates, and repairs.
Know Where to Store Sensitive Data
Offices typically contain lots of documents with sensitive and valuable data, so it’s important to store these properly to prevent them from being lost, destroyed, or falling into the wrong hands. If sensitive data is lost or stolen, it can greatly damage the reputation of the business, not to mention severe financial repercussions.
Thankfully, it’s simple enough to protect these valuable documents in an office by storing them in secure locations, such as filing cabinets or drawers with a decent lock and key system. Restricting access to the keys also helps to keep these documents safe from theft and tampering.
Use a Safe to Store Cash
Offices that keep cash onsite should consider investing in a high-quality safe to protect it from potential theft. Whether it’s small petty cash or large invoice payments, locksmiths suggest storing any company money in a Eurograde safe, which is certified by the Association of Insurance Surveyors (AiS).
AiS-certified safes are insurance-rated products, having undergone extensive testing to verify their resistance to burglary attacks, so they provide the highest levels of protection for any onsite office money.
Protect Valuable Equipment with Device Locks
An often underutilised security product, device locks are small physical locks that help to secure common office equipment like laptops, tablets, and other electronics. These valuables tend to be more susceptible to theft due to their compact and lightweight design, so device locks can help reduce the risk by securing them to heavy objects such as tables.
Device locks are simple to use, basically functioning the same as a bike lock, while also being inexpensive. As a result, offices can protect those valuable laptops and tablets with relative ease, saving the cost and hassle of having them stolen.
Conclusion
Offices contain lots of valuable equipment and sensitive data, so it’s always recommended to invest in various security measures to keep these safe, while also protecting employees and visitors. There are many simple yet effective ways to boost office security, including installing CCTV systems, security alarms, lighting, and access control systems, which can be integrated for top-tier office safety.
Of course, each office has unique security requirements, so partnering with a local locksmith agency familiar with the industry, such as Lock & Key, can help find the best solutions for each organisation. They can analyse each office space, provide bespoke recommendations, and install all systems to the highest industry standards for complete peace of mind.