According to one recent study, an estimated $50 billion in goods are stolen from warehouses worldwide every year. Over 50% of theft comes from internal sources connected to the goods in question. The sizeable risk of warehouse theft explains the importance of warehouse security.
Before jumping into the tips section, it’s essential to acknowledge that no two warehouses environments are 100% identical. Every location has their own unique challenges. As a result, there is no “one-size fits all solution“ to preventing theft in your warehouse. With that in mind, there are several best practices to improve warehouse security. These measures can help you keeping your personnel and goods safe from thieves and other potential dangers. Let’s take a look at the 7 best practices to improve your warehouse security:
1. Secure the perimeter
Let’s start on the exterior. We need to make sure our first line of defense is in the best shape before considering taking a look inside. In many cases, having security fencing will deter criminals from trying to gain access to your warehouse. Ensure the fence is resistant to being climbed by making it at least 7 feet high. You can also control vehicular access to the site by placing security barriers and gates at entrances. A nice extra touch to this first layer of security would be implementing a plate recognition system.
2. Use inventory management technology
As a warehouse manager, managing inventory items can be a great ordeal. Effective inventory management systems prevent items from being lost. Every item should be entered in the system upon arrival and tracked throughout the life of the item. Systems that include mobile devices with barcode scanners or RFID readers tend to be the best option.
3. Hire professional security personnel
Unarmed security guards can patrol the area on foot and in certain situations in small vehicles like a golf cart. Their duties include locking, unlocking, and securing doors and gates,. Security guards can also conduct security sweeps to help observe those darker areas where an intruder might hide. Conducting random patrols while wearing identifiable uniforms is a strong visual crime deterrent.
There are few options as productive and effective as security guards. Security guards use there skill and experience to identify risks and prevent theft. They can also fulfill roles in customer service and warehouse safety.
Additional Duties of Security Officers
Access Control
Verify that only employees enter restricted areas and process guests visiting the facility.
Foot Patrols
Patrol the perimeter and warehouse interior looking for potential security breaches
Customer Service
Greet visitors and direct them to the appropriate areas.
Safety Control
Ensure that personnel and guests are complying with warehouse safety protocols
If you want to take your proactive security efforts to the next level, armed security guards may be something worth considering. Oftentimes warehouse operators, choose to go with armed security to protect high value materials. Armed security guards are vital if you’re dealing with sensitive, proprietary assets inside your warehouse or situations where industrial espionage is a possibility. Armed security officers have arrest authority in most jurisdictions. Arrest authority allows armed security to do more than observe and report. They can physically detain suspects.
4. Implement Video Surveillance Camera Systems
Surveillance cameras are an effective crime deterrent. These systems gather visible evidence that can be used to identify suspects and tell the story of what occurred. Cameras are especially effective for preventing employee theft. The employees know that they will be seen and identified. Video cameras are best when combined with a security officer who watches the video feeds.
5. Have a Security Alarm System
This is another good crime deterrent that comes along very well with having a professional security guard or team. The primary purpose of having a security alarm system is to raise as much attention as possible to your warehouse or a specific part of it when it is unoccupied. Alarm systems can work in conjunction with a security guard company that can dispatch security officers in response to alarms. Alarm systems can be configured to handle the unique needs of your location.
Important Security Systems Features
- Motion Detection
- Monitored in Real-time
- Loud audible alarm
- Remote Access
6. Implement building access control systems
Access control systems work similarly to the plate recognition systems we discussed earlier. These systems are ideal for permitting and restricting individuals’ access to your warehouse or specific locations within your premises. With professional building access control systems in place, only authorized people can access your premises. Access control systems can include tools such as Key Cards, Key FOBs, Security code panels, digital fingerprint scans. Another important feature is the ability to integrate with other commercial security solutions such as cameras.
7. Test your system regularly
It is important to periodically test your security measures to verify that they continue to work. The last thing you want is to be paying for something that worked great when it started but is no longer effective. Camera systems should be tested daily. Alarm systems should be checked weekly. Warehouses should have systems in place to test every aspect of the security infrastructure. Testing requirements should include human-based systems like your security guards. Consult with security supervisors to get their feedback on measuring the job performance and effectiveness of the security personnel.
If you are looking for a warehouse security service to hire and just want to discuss your own needs with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact DMAC Security today.