Maximizing Your Security Budget: Tips and Tricks

Protect Your Business Without Breaking the Bank

Protecting staff, inventory, and physical property is a priority for every business—but not every budget is created equal. Organizations, particularly small businesses, can face tough choices when trying to balance security needs with financial realities. Getting the most out of your business security system requires thinking beyond just alarms and business security cameras; it means incorporating resources already in place and finding security solutions that are affordable, sensible, and effective.

Simple But Impactful Changes for Your Business Security Systems

It’s easy to assume that the best way to eliminate theft and vandalism is to install business security cameras, hire security guards, and have on-call experts ready to act. And in some cases, those may indeed be the best options.

But here are some simple tips to try that don’t add too much to your business security systems:

• Add lighting: Entrances, exits, and parking areas that are not lit well can not only feel unsafe, but they can also become target areas for burglars looking for a weak spot. Adding bright, well-placed lighting can improve visibility and add a sense of security both inside and outside the building.
• Avoid a messy outdoor area: A sure sign that a business—especially a retail store—has new valuables in stock is a large pile of empty boxes outside the store. A mess outside the store can signal to potential vandals that valuable merchandise is inside, and it may not be properly stored and accounted for yet. A clean, organized physical space sends a clear message: our merchandise is secure.
• Be strategic about your layout: Expensive items and equipment, whether they’re retail inventory or office technology, shouldn’t be placed next to exits, making a grab-and-go scenario more feasible. Use your space to your advantage by putting thought into the layout.

Leveraging Your Resources for Small Business Security Systems

Once the simple and obvious safety steps have been addressed, you can take stock of the resources you already have and be creative and strategic about utilizing them. Here are some tips for getting more from assets you may already have in place:

• Use your staff’s skills: Building a dynamic and informative security training module doesn’t have to be left solely to an outside vendor. In-house talent can create engaging training that explains and reviews security basics for the rest of the team. Empowering talented staff can ensure that security steps are followed correctly and save money.
• Pool resources for added security: Businesses share storefronts, outdoor perimeters, and physical space all the time, so why not share security? When multiple businesses share space and security goals, pooling resources to add protection can make sense both security-wise and financially.
• Centralize storage: Too many people with too many keys for too many doors can create confusion and vulnerability. Having a dedicated space and process for keys and key cards can help reduce the risk connected with haphazard key usage.

Matching Your Needs With Business Security Experts and Tech

If you decide to hire a business security company, your job isn’t done! To maximize your business security system, you should incorporate support and security technologies that strengthen your overall security system for business without slowing down your staff or hurting your bottom line. Here are some ways to find that balance:

• Look into access control: A modern security system featuring access control systems can fortify an organization’s security without being bulky or burdensome. Access control lets you customize who, when, and how access is granted and can be managed remotely with a user-friendly interface. Be more streamlined and efficient while covering your safety needs.
• Get support with security agent services: Some organizations may have staff or physical space needs that make it unrealistic to manage a security operation internally. For those businesses, investing in a security partner that provides in-person and online support and security technology tools can be worthwhile. Security guards, patrols, or agents that respond when your alarm goes off can prevent costly break-ins and theft and free up staff from dealing with the burden of managing security.
• Use your smartphone security apps: Taking advantage of the security apps that come with your security system can save you time. Ensure you and your staff understand how the apps work so you can quickly access and manage tools such as business security cameras, door access, and video archives.

Maximizing your business security system isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some organizations, simply installing outdoor floodlights may solve a major issue; for others, hiring a patrol guard at night may be worthwhile. With diverse security technology and expert services, Bay Alarm can help businesses find the exact solution that fits their budget.

Contact us today to learn more about the support services we provide.