How Can You Make Your Business Parking Lot More Secure?
A business parking lot might not be the first place you think about when reviewing workplace security, but it certainly deserves attention. Employees leave their vehicles there for eight hours or more. Similarly, company fleets and sometimes even equipment and deliveries can also be left there, and these do have a significant financial value to the business.
Parking areas can also provide a route toward the building and other restricted areas, which makes them even more vulnerable if they get exposed. So, improving the security of your business parking lot should always be a priority. The risks go way beyond employees’ vehicle theft.
So, where should you begin?
#1. Install a Monitoring System
Being able to see what is happening around the parking lot can both support security and provide useful information if an accident occurs.
So, you want to position monitoring cameras around entrances and exits, but also around pedestrian routes and areas where the vehicles are stored.
Nowadays, modern systems can also provide remote access, which means that the authorized monitoring personnel can check camera feeds even when they are not on-site. This can be helpful for site managers, for example, as they may want to check the parking lot quickly in the event of security notifications. Indeed, depending on the system, motion detection and security alerts can notify responsible team members of unusual activity outside of business hours.
Ideally, you want to pair your cameras with lighting. A camera can also provide useful footage if the area is sufficiently visible.
#2. Create a Secure Entrance
Monitoring who arrives is useful. But ensuring that not everyone can physically enter provides another layer of protection. This can be done using two complementary solutions, such as a system that keeps the garage shut and a system that is designed to provide authorized access.
In this section, we focus on a secure commercial garage door installation for enclosed parking and vehicle storage areas. This is designed to be appropriate to the volume and type of traffic your space receives.
#3. Restrict Access to Authorized Users
Having a secure garage door is the first part of your entrance. You also need to ensure only those who have been authorized can access the parking lot.
There are different solutions that help restrict entry while allowing authorized staff to come and go:
- Employee access cards
- Vehicle permits
- License plate recognition
- Individual access codes
- Etc.
The system you choose should also allow visitor access, such as for guests or clients who need temporary access for an appointment.
#4. Have an On-Site Security Presence
No matter how useful and smart technology can be, there are situations where you need trained people on-site.
Thi sis the case for large businesses with significant vehicle movement. A staffed security point can monitor arrivals and respond quickly to suspicious behavior. Additionally, security personnel can also patrol parking areas and assist employees who feel uncomfortable walking to their vehicles, especially for those who work longer hours.
Naturally, no single measure can make a business parking lot 100% secure. But the best strategy is to combine different approaches to ensure that your staff and your visitor can feel safe at all times.
