• By Redwire
• Posted September 25th, 2016

How to Keep Your Business Secure During Renovations

When your business undergoes renovations or an expansion, your first thought is about keeping it on budget. Unfortunately, the first thing to cross a criminal’s mind is how easy it will be to breach your business security during this time. Most criminals are bold enough to pose as a customer to check out what security, if any, is in place.

Certain areas of your business will be off limits, even to you, during a renovation/expansion, but open to unknown work crews all day. That’s why you need to remain vigilant about your business security during renovations/expansion.

Here are some tips:

• Vet your contractor and, when possible, your subcontractors; even if you have referrals and references from family, friends and business associates.
• Create a firm schedule of what contractors are going to be on site, when and for how long. Review it daily and make changes, as necessary. If you are going to be absent from the site, for any reason, let someone else know and give them a copy of the schedule.
• Keep your excess inventory locked behind closed doors. If your business doesn’t have tangible inventory, like shoes, but relies on computer files make sure your technology is protected. All computers should be password protected; copy machines, printers and fax machines should be checked so paper isn’t left behind with confidential information. If you have printed flies, make sure filing cabinets are locked. Even the shredder should be emptied.
• Make sure the renovation site is tidy before the crew is gone for the day. Construction material and tools should be locked away daily; regardless of the warm Florida weather. Criminals are as likely to steal construction material as they are to steal from your business.
• Although, your business may be closed during renovations it doesn’t need to look deserted. Keep the lights on to keep your business secure. Install motion sensory lights to further deter criminals. The suddenness of the lights going on will send them scurrying from your business; saving you from a potential breach and theft of goods.
• Conduct a daily review of your security system, if you have one in place, to make sure contractors haven’t disabled any of your security elements or your fire alarms; accidentally or intentionally.

"Unfortunately, the first thing to cross a criminal’s mind is how easy it will be to breach your business security during this time. Most criminals are bold enough to pose as a customer to check out what security, if any, is in place"

Have only an alarm system in place? Think about adding:

Security Cameras:

• Sometimes, seeing is believing and that’s OK, too. Security cameras are proven to thwart crimes and are consistently used to aid police in investigations. Look for solutions that include being able to monitor your security feeds in real time, permits you to change your settings and review video clips all from the palm of your hand.

• Since renovations can be time consuming make sure your security camera solution has the capacity to record and archive feeds. If you’re unable to access an area of your business due to a dangerous construction zone, it could take you sometime before you realize something is amiss.

Access Control

• This electronic technology allows you to permit temporary access to construction crews, freeing up your time during the day to handle clients. Since the technology uses card readers, key pads and even biometrics, you will always know who accessed what area of your business. The data collected not only tells you who logged in but from what access point and the length of time they remained in that area.

• With access control technology, you can see who enters your business any time, any place with a web-based user interface and observe in real time; regardless of where you are.

Conclusion:

• Have a concern unique to your Florida business? Call us, we can help you protect your business through the renovation/expansion period and beyond.