Building Security: The Complete Guide

Minimizing your security risk is key to warehouse, plant, and office building security to create a safe environment and protect your assets and your employees.

About 25% of businesses saw an increase in physical security threats last year, according to a recent survey of business owners. More than half are more worried about building security and security incidents than there were a year ago.

What is Building Security?

Building security includes the measures you take to secure building structures and protect assets, contents, and occupants from harm. Building management security includes threats such as theft, burglary, vandalism, and unauthorized access.

Why Building Security is Crucial for Businesses and Residents

The FBI tracks property crime. In its most recent report (2022), the Bureau reported 1,953 property crimes per 100,000 people — more than five times the number of violent crimes. Even minor incidents can lead to significant disruptions, shutting down a business for a time or requiring repairs.

Businesses cannot afford the downtime, loss of assets, and increased liability, not to mention increased insurance premiums. Building occupants — whether it’s business or residential — need a safe and secure environment.

Key Components of Building Security

Companies use a variety of tactics for building security, combining physical, technological, and human efforts to protect property and people. Here are the key components of a robust security solution and an effective building security strategy.

Perimeter Security

Perimeter security, such as fences, gates, and barriers, form the first line of defense. Fences and barriers like bollards prevent unauthorized access. Gates control access points.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems, such as access cards and a card reader, biometric scanners, or security personnel regulate who can enter buildings. They can also restrict movement within buildings, limiting access to certain areas.

An electronic access control system requiring keycards can help prevent authorized access. Keycards can be issued based on job titles, roles, or duties. Biometrics provide enhanced security through fingerprint or facial recognition with audit trails. Security guards add a human element, real-time monitoring access and responding to incidents in real-time.

Surveillance Systems

Remote surveillance, such as external motion sensors and CCTV cameras can help detect suspicious activity and act as a visible deterrent. For example, office building surveillance security can monitor access points with security cameras. AI-equipped motion detectors and surveillance cameras can even identify license plates in parking lots.

Physical Security: Protecting the Building and Occupants

You also need physical security to safeguard your building’s structure against potential threats from your office lobby to other accessible areas. This includes:

Securing Entry Points

Doors, windows, and loading docks are obvious access points that require physical security, such as:

• Reinforced doors with secure locks
• Shatter-resistant glass and secure latches
• Controlled access to load docks and paddocks

Comprehensive security measures can safeguard your entry points. Monitoring activity helps deter unauthorized entry and protect your valuable equipment.

Intrusion Detection Systems

Sensors on doors and windows can alert security personnel when there are security concerns. Triggered when there is an unauthorized access or security breach, alarms can sound — either audible or silent — to alert security officers or your security company.

Fire Safety and Suppression Systems

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports an average of more than half a million structure fires each year over the past decade. Smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems are most common. Some security systems provide automated notification to security teams.

Security Lighting and Landscaping Design

Security lighting illuminates entryways, pathways, and parking lots — reducing hiding spots, dark hallways and lighting up blind spots and dark spots. Increased visibility acts as a deterrent. Studies show that higher lighting density using bright LEDs significantly reduces criminal activity.

Another building security strategy is landscaping. Called crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), natural access control differentiates between public and private spaces to add an extra layer of protection, such as:

• Trees and rocks can prevent vehicle access.
• Thorny bushes aid in office building security by making threat actors think twice about breaking into windows or worrying about making a fast escape.
• Open areas make it harder to hide.

Crooks know that well-maintained properties are more likely to have security measures in place, limiting unauthorized persons from accessing commercial offices. Increasing tree canopies by 10% in one study resulted in a 14% decrease in property crimes.

Create Safer, More Secure Buildings

Ensuring the safety and security of your buildings, assets, and occupants requires levels of security, including physical security, technology, and awareness for a comprehensive security focus.

GardaWorld security services can help with a wide range of options, including:

• A team of trained and vetted security professionals and facility security specialists
• Mobile patrols and alarm response
• Fire protection and confined space monitoring
• Retail loss prevention services
• Security risk management, regular security assessments, and security audit action plans
• CCTV surveillance and electronic response
• Layered access control

Contact the building security experts at GardaWorld today to discover how our security services and staffing can support your commercial buildings and security plans, enhance your security efforts, and provide peace of mind.