Things to Look For in a Security System for Your Store

You need a good security system to protect your retail store. You want monitoring against intruders, employee theft, and fire. Commercial systems are usually more complex than residential security systems. Here are a few important components you'll want to consider.

Video Monitoring

Video surveillance is one of the most important aspects of retail security. If your store is a standalone building, you'll want cameras on the outside that monitor the entire perimeter of the store. In addition, the cameras should be capable of monitoring the parking lot. You'll probably want cameras inside too so you can monitor for shoplifting or employee theft. Camera features you want to consider are low-light or night-vision monitoring and license plate–recognition technology.

You could choose motion-triggered cameras so they only turn on when a person approaches, or you can set up cameras to run continuously all day and night inside and outside your store. Remote monitoring is a useful feature to have too. That way you can check the cameras when you're at home or away on vacation. You may even consider hiring a security service to monitor the cameras for you when the store is closed at night.

Alarm System

All the windows and doors should have alarms on them. The alarms can be audible only, or they can also notify you or a monitoring station about the possibility of an intruder. In addition to having alarms that go off if a door or window is forced open, you'll also want alarms that detect broken glass if you have a glass storefront. Fire alarms are essential for protecting your inventory and your employees. You can incorporate RFID tags into your alarm system too. Attach the tags to your goods or business equipment, and when a tag goes out the door, an alarm will be set off to alert you of theft. Other alarms you may want to consider include those that monitor for a water leak or climate control. Climate-control alarms are important if you have a data room with expensive electronic equipment or if you store vintage clothing or other delicate things that need to be kept in a precise temperature and humidity range.

Door Access

The doors to your store should have a modern locking system for the best security. By giving each employee a unique code rather than a key, you can monitor who goes where inside your building. A digital locking system is much more secure, and if you fire someone, you can eliminate his or her code rather than have to rekey a door. Don't forget about the strength of your doors too. Strong locks and security alarms may not do a lot of good if a door can be quickly kicked in so that an intruder can grab your goods and dash off before police arrive. Install strong doors that slow down an intruder. You may even want to install a roll-down gate to further protect your store. Having a commercial security system in place that consists of strong doors, perimeter monitoring, interior video surveillance, and the ability to remotely view the cameras will give you peace of mind when you're in the store and away from it.