Warehouse Security Systems: How Do I Keep My Warehouse Secure

Understanding Warehouse Security Systems

Protecting a warehouse is crucial. Warehouses are typically very large facilities with a lot going on day and night. Criminals can take advantage of these situations. Since the buildings are physically large and there are goods, inventory, and other assets being brought in, shipped out, and moved around throughout the day, warehouse security is often challenging.

Criminals know this and they also know that the assets they could steal from a warehouse can usually be sold on the black market quite quickly and quite easily.

This gives them the incentive to strike. Therefore, it’s important to have the right warehouse security in place.

Why is Security Important in a Warehouse?

The importance of warehouse security cannot be overstated. Warehouses hold significant assets and companies count on warehousing solutions to provide safe, secure, and efficient storage.

Supply chains are incredibly crucial and, as we have learned in recent years, all aspects of the supply chain must be providing effective, on-time service without slowdowns, delays, or issues. Otherwise, there could be serious slowdowns, and these could be detrimental to businesses all along the supply chain.

The problems could even potentially harm the reputation of the companies involved and hurt the standing of any warehousing or logistics providers as well.

There is also the chance of someone getting injured during a crime or property being damaged. Even if criminals aren’t successful in stealing anything, they can cause serious damage that can be costly to fix and productivity may even suffer until the repairs are done.

What Type of Security Must be in a Warehouse?

Each warehouse property is unique and, therefore, warehouse security for each property must be designed with the site in mind. However, two factors that should always be a part of all warehouse security systems are that they are comprehensive and proactive.

Comprehensive coverage is security that protects the entire site at once. Criminals often scout sites and look for areas where security is lacking. For instance, they might watch as guards make their way through a site and sneak in when they know they won’t be spotted.

Proactive coverage means it does more than just respond to crimes that happen. Instead, these warehouse security systems can spot suspicious situations and prevent them from turning into crimes. Keeping criminals out is much less costly than having to deal with the damage they cause if they get inside a warehouse.

How Do I Keep My Warehouse Secure?

Various warehouse security tools can be used to protect property. Some of the most common include alarm systems, CCTV cameras, security guards, and live remote monitoring systems.

As mentioned, for warehouse security setup to be truly effective, it should be both comprehensive and proactive. Alarm systems and unmonitored cameras are not proactive solutions. For example, an alarm system will sound when a trouble condition is noted, such as a motion sensor being triggered or a door being opened. However, someone still has to respond to this call.

This takes time, and criminals use this time to get in and out of the warehouse – likely with some valuable assets.

Criminals also know that they can cover their faces with masks or scarves and make it difficult to identify them on security footage. Therefore, traditional CCTV systems that are not monitored live are unlikely to deter criminals.

On the other hand, security guards can spot potentially criminal situations and work to prevent them from turning into crimes. However, guards cannot be everywhere at once. As mentioned, criminals often scout the site and watch for where guards are stationed and how they move throughout the property. They then strike when they know they won’t be caught.

Capabilities
24/7/365 Surveillance - Full Yard | Perimeter | Gates
Access Control - Gate & Doors operations (Check - ID, Validate Authorization)
Operational information Capture - Truck & Trailer # | Inventory # | Seal # | BOLs
Incident notifications - Trespassing | Suspicious Behaviour | Damage | Miscounduct | Policy Violations
Policy Enforcement - PPE | Speeding | Parking | Security Protrocol | Pre & Post - Trip Inspection
Real Time Reporting - Dispatch & Arrival | Parking Assignment | Security & Safety Incidents

Benefits
Operational Budget Savings - Lower monthly cost than onsite Security Guards
No Capital Costs - Equipment cost (install, service, repairs, upgrades) amortized over life of contract
Eliminate “Hidden” Costs - Agents trained to prevent incidents and eliminate negative outcomes
Operational Improvements - Accelerate gate transactions, reduce errors, improve yard efficiency
Real-time intelligence - Integration with yard Management System delivers real-time data visibility

Live remote monitoring systems can provide comprehensive and proactive warehouse security. Live security agents watch the cameras installed in and around the property in real time, so they’ll always see any suspicious activity that occurs, no matter where or when it happens.

The security agents can then use the system’s two-way speakers to warn the criminals that police will be called if they do not leave immediately. This keeps criminals out.

For more information on live remote monitoring and how it can keep your warehouse safe and secure 24/7, please contact Birdseye Security Solutions today.