If you’re a business, new, expanding, moving or just looking into security for the first time, it’s important to understand what exactly is at stake, and make an informed choice so you can protect your business from possible threats. Threats may be internal, such as employee theft and shipping errors - or external, such as data breaches, break-ins, and vandalism. If you're looking for a security solution, it’s important you understand your industries main risks and your individual business vulnerabilities so you can avoid some common security mistakes. In this blog we’ve outlined the top 5 common security mistakes that businesses make when choosing a security solution for their building or property.

1. You don’t do enough research on which is the best security solution
Your industry, and even your specific business, building type, and location, is going to have unique security needs that a blanket solution will not adequately cover. It’s important that you get an assessment and customized security plan that fits your exact needs, from someone who knows your industries security solutions well.
 
2. You end up going with the cheapest security solution assuming all systems are the same
If you don’t do enough research, you may end up just going with the (perceived) cheapest solution, wrongly assuming that all security systems operate the same. The truth is they don’t, and choosing a cheaper option might leave your business vulnerable to security threats that could end up costing you much, much more.
 
3. You don’t use a verified security system
The only way to secure your business is to use a verified monitoring system. Verified security systems ensure that when an actual break-in is taking place, an alarm is sent to the integrated monitoring station, who then immediately contact the police who respond to the crime in progress. Only Verified security systems get a Police response and therefore have a great track record of catching criminals committing the crime, and significantly reduces the rate of false alarms that are all too common in other types of conventional security systems.
 
4. You forget to secure your intellectual property & data
Your business physical assets are important and valuable, but they are ultimately replaceable. What isn’t replaceable is your intellectual property stored on PCs and computer servers that can be stolen or hacked into. Your customer lists, your vendor information, your financial data, legal and accounting documents, and other sensitive information is becoming a huge target for criminals (who aren’t always sneaking around dressed in black!).   Use an IP professional to design and maintain your firewalls.  If you don’t know of a good IP professional we can refer you to one.
 
Criminals are more and more turning to methods such as social engineering to acquire sensitive and valuable data. It’s important your organization has a plan for combating this type of security issue. Integrated security solutions like managed access control can help reduce instances of unauthorized access.

 
5. You underestimate how smart criminals actually are
As I mentioned above, criminals are turning to much smarter ways of bypassing traditional security. Entering from the roof,party walls or other unmonitored areas, knowing exactly what materials and products are valuable and where they are stored, and even as far as teaming up with employees in elaborate scams and thefts, are becoming commonplace. Traditional security often falls short of protecting your business from these threats, so the need for a fully integrated security solution, using multiple technologies, is now becoming the norm.

Integrated & Customized Security Solutions 

Sonitrol Western Canada can offer all types of businesses fully integrated and totally customized security solutions. We have decades of experience in serving a number of industries including warehouse, construction, medical marijuana production and retail facilities, restaurants, retail, schools, multi-tenant office buildings and more. When using our unique verified active audio technology, one Sonitrol audio sensor can cover 5,000 square feet. Strategically placed audio sensors provide floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall coverage — ideal for buildings of any size. Combine this with a verified CCTV system that is monitored 24/7, and you can have a specifically tailored security system to meet your particular needs. Our modular, fully integrated solution can also include verified audio intrusion detection, managed access control, verified CCTV video surveillance, fire detection, and 24/7 central station monitoring by trained professionals. If you avoid these 5 common mistakes in business security, you’ll be well ahead of the criminals who want to take advantage of your security vulnerabilities! 

Check out my video where I explain a few of these concerns:

About Sonitrol Western Canada We're so confident in our technology and responsive service, that no one else in the industry can match our guarantee.  Our unique verified audio and CCTV video business security solutions enable our operators to hear and see what is happening in your business before the criminals gain entry!!  We verify the actual source of the alarm, and we get the police to attend the scene immediately.  FOR A FREE SECURITY AUDIT, click here, or call 1-866-766-4876 - We are a security company with over 150 offices across North America serving clients across Western Canada in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon.  

Sonitrol Western Canada, with its Verified Electronic Security Systems, is committed to providing customers with the most comprehensive security protection.  Cooperation in the elimination of false alarms is not only beneficial to the system’s user but results in better protection of the entire community by allowing law enforcement to use their resources as efficiently as possible.