Whether it’s a local parking garage or a major enterprise’s headquarters, strong building security is a must for commercial properties of all applications and sizes. Intruders have much to gain from exploiting your security vulnerabilities, so taking every feasible step to strengthen your defenses is critical for safeguarding sensitive data and assets. And that includes your most important asset: your people.
In this 101 guide, we’ll introduce you to the key components of building security. We’ll highlight the importance of building security for seamless company operations and explore the main aspects of most security plans. We’ll also look at the role of technology in building security and how Kastle enhances your security by bringing each component together.
Importance of Building Security
Commercial properties contain a host of valuable resources and sensitive data that malicious actors could exploit. Compromising your security processes could disrupt more than your business continuity. It could also result in costly compliance violations and even put real lives at risk.
With so much at stake, organizations must take every reasonable measure to maximize their building security. Key cards, security cameras, security personnel — the exact configuration of your security infrastructure will vary based on your needs. But one thing is clear: each appropriate measure is worth the investment.
Key Components of Commercial Security Systems
Modern commercial buildings contain many entry points, with numerous occupants entering and exiting them each day. A truly comprehensive security system should combine the leading design methods, human capital, and cutting-edge technology to secure the facility at all these points. Some key commercial security system components include:
- Access Control Systems. Access control systems use technology to identify users and clearance levels and authorize entry into some spaces while preventing unauthorized access into others. They typically include simple components such as a locked door or turnstile or advanced ones that use electronic door locks and credential readers.
- Video Surveillance. Surveillance systems employ live video recorded for visually verified building security. This lets you record suspicious activity for forensic investigation if an incident occurs and deter intruders from coming near sensitive areas in the first place.
- Alarm Systems. Even the most advanced security systems may fail to stop some breaches. Alarm systems alert the appropriate authorities when breaches occur — and when combined with video verification, authorities respond five times faster on average.
- Environmental Design. Sometimes the mere presence of security cameras is enough to deter an intruder, and eliminating vulnerabilities such as hedges or tall trees can reduce blind spots to make properties more secure. Consider how your building design impacts your security.
- Security Personnel. Hiring physical security creates a higher ongoing overhead cost. However, security guards provide an additional safety element that can prevent an intrusion and keep occupants safe in the event of a threat.
- Visitor Management. Some facilities have many occupants coming and going throughout the day. Visitor management systems help identify and monitor visitors as they move through your space and screen them if they’re unauthorized.
As an industry leader in building security, Kastle offers a range of solutions that combine some of these key components. For example, our cutting-edge cloud-based access control systems use mobile or physical credentials to authorize user entry and are integrated with robust data reporting of access activity. These mobile-based options represent the future of building security, removing the danger of lost or stolen keys and facilitating seamless movement throughout a physical space. The result is a higher level of security for your commercial properties and complete data insights into space use while providing a more convenient user experience.
Infrastructure for Enhanced Safety
Although paramount, technology alone isn’t enough to create a secure building space. Safety considerations should be at the forefront of your building’s infrastructure and design features and a top priority for employees.
Importance of Regular Security Site Surveys
Security site surveys are essential for making your commercial buildings safe. Some properties will have more vulnerabilities in some areas than others, so it’s important to monitor your most prominent vulnerabilities periodically to keep them secure. Some areas that may require extra security are:
- Parking garages
- Stairwells
- Bathrooms
- Alleys
- Data centers
Regularly performing security site surveys can help you evaluate your building for emerging risks. However, routinely conducting them can be a challenge while performing all the other daily tasks. Using a managed security partner like Kastle helps ensure these site surveys take place as scheduled.
Employee Training in Security Protocols
Security incidents often result from human error. That’s why you need proper employee training to educate your team on best security practices.
Equip your employees with knowledge on how they can keep your commercial buildings secure. Some topics to cover include identifying suspicious activity, reporting lost or stolen key cards, and not opening doors to unknown visitors, also known as tailgating social engineering attacks.
Emergency Preparedness in Building Security
Emergency preparedness is a critical component of office building security. Natural disasters, active shooters, and medical emergencies can all disrupt business continuity and endanger human lives, so preparing for them as thoroughly as possible is a must.
The best way to prepare for emergencies is to develop a crisis response plan. Start by conducting a security risk assessment, where you evaluate which emergencies would be most likely to occur in your building and what the impact would be if they had. Then, provide your employees with ample training resources to educate them on emergency preparedness and conduct regular safety drills to prepare for each emergency in your assessment. That way, all parties will know how best to respond.
Crime Prevention Strategies
Bad actors are a threat to building security, so organizations must implement crime prevention strategies at each layer of their security infrastructure. That includes installing technology such as access control systems and building site security cameras, but it also includes taking more practical measures that factor security into your building’s design.
For example, untrimmed bushes can provide a hiding place for bad actors, and tall trees next to windows can be a route to unauthorized entry. Designing your walkway for maximum visibility can also deter intruders and organizing certain spaces for easier or more difficult traffic flow can guard your space against a breach.
Integrating Technology with Human Oversight
Intruders are often persistent, so implementing security measures may not be enough to deter them completely. Trained security personnel can provide human oversight to sensitive areas, but they won’t be able to continuously monitor every entrance point on their own.
Install a surveillance system and integrate it into a single security platform for a more comprehensive security solution. Then, assign an employee to oversee the footage or use a managed security platform to monitor the entire security infrastructure. This approach can reduce the risk of human oversight and improve communication between supervisors and on-site security professionals.
When done right, building security management can go a long way in ensuring property safety. Ideally, it should include the design, implementation, and oversight of key security processes, including access control, parking and visitor management, video surveillance, and security personnel administration.
Kastle solutions for building security rely on leading-edge technology to equip your security team for potential safety risks. Our surveillance systems give your security personnel the visibility they need to monitor your entire building and respond quickly to threats when they arise. Combined with our video surveillance solutions, our visitor management platform helps you track occupant motion throughout your facility, and our access data reporting lets you analyze how your space is used.
The Importance of Comprehensive Security Approach
Competitors, criminals, disgruntled employees — today’s organizations face threats from every side. To create a truly secure building that can withstand so many threats, companies must create a comprehensive office security plan. That means implementing the appropriate planning and infrastructure measures and leveraging the latest technology to enforce them.
Kastle’s office building security solutions provide companies with the cutting-edge technology they need to secure their premises. We provide Security as a Service, video surveillance, access control, parking and visitor management, and other managed security solutions. Our security platform even provides users with wireless access and security teams with data analytics solutions. The result is a smarter, stronger approach to building security.
Contact us today to see how we can meet your security needs.