Moving into a new commercial space is exciting. There’s an energy about getting settled, arranging the layout, and preparing to open your doors. However, before you think about grand opening sales and where to put the coffee machine, there’s a mundane task you need to consider first: securing the space properly.
That’s right — most business owners fail to recognize that a new-to-you commercial space is not secure upon receiving the keys. Even if a landlord assures you otherwise, there’s no way to know who else may have access to those keys. Former tenants, former tenants’ employees, contractors working in the space, property managers; it’s an extensive list of possibilities. Starting anew means starting anew regarding security measures.
Change Every Single Lock
This seems like a no-brainer, but so many businesses skip this step. The locks that exist on your new space have likely been there for years. In good faith, you can assume that your landlord has rekeyed them for access only by you and them; however, you have no way of knowing how many people still have keys floating about.
Rekeying all exterior locks and replacing all exterior locks must happen before a single piece of inventory or equipment enters the building. It’s one of those investments that’s not appreciated until it’s too late—and once it’s too late, it’s too late. If you’re dealing with an urgent matter or need a professional to assess your entry points, an emergency locksmith Perth can assist with recommendations to help create security for your unique situation.
The peace of mind it brings is worth it; you’ll sleep soundly knowing your new business space is truly yours, and yours alone, as far as access goes.
Make a Complete Sweep of Entry Points
Go outside and inside every inch of your space and consider how someone might get in. Too many people only think about the front entry door; however, commercial spaces often have back entrances, side entrances, access points to storage areas (internal or external, like loading docks) and possibly even roof access to consider securing as well.
Look for every door and window; note any that don’t lock particularly well or at all or any that seem flimsy or otherwise unworthy of keeping secure. You may uncover entry points you did not consider when you walked through for the first time — loading dock doors, garage bays, basement access — all should be assessed for their locking capabilities.
And don’t forget windows; this is especially true for ground-level windows easily accessed by fire escapes. A small window is an entry point if unsecured and not well protected.
Invest in Commercial-Grade Hardware
Now it gets interesting. Commercial locks are not residential locks — and that makes all the difference! Commercial grade hardware can withstand use from more aggressive endeavors throughout the day with easier attempts of tampering, not that they should be successfully tampered with at all, but if someone intends to break in, residential grade hardware will not stand a chance against a stronger attempt made by someone looking to do bad.
You may think a residential deadbolt works, but it doesn’t stand up to the daily usage by multiple employees coming and going daily and possible uses from the external elements (if an exterior door). Commercial grade hardware is specifically manufactured for such conditions.
It’s a more expensive upfront investment but investing in equipment that lasts over the years with better protection is worth it. It’s better to buy once than to buy cheap options multiple times.
Create Key Management From Day One
This is where many businesses go wrong without realizing it. Once you get your new locks in place; whoever’s meant to have keys should have keys under strict management over who has access and how many copies can be made per person.
Consider a restricted key system where duplication of keys is virtually impossible (or only allowed for with proper documentation). Patented key blanks are only able to be duplicated through authorized locksmiths with appropriate documentation — meaning the locksmith will only make duplicates under conditions that outline proper repayment or return if an employee leaves the job. Thus, you know for sure the key they had was the only key made for them.
Document who has which keys; it sounds tedious, but when you need to assess access after an incident occurs, you’ll be glad you have the documentation available to you; some businesses use numbered key tags instead of names for privacy concerns.
Consider Your Valuable Assets
What are you actually protecting? Do you have valuable equipment? Sensitive customer information? Inventory? Where do those things reside (as things) and do those places necessitate different security measures apart from entry points?
Internal security matters just as much as external security; not every employee needs 24/7 access to every part of their business. For example, storage rooms, financial record oriented offices, areas with high-cost items should probably contain additional locks with restricted access for keys-in-hand-only appropriate personnel.
This type of layered security means even if someone gets through your front door, your most valuable items have another layer of protection in another lockbox situation.
Test Everything Before Opening Day
After you’ve upgraded your security measures — test them out! Lock them and unlock them multiple times each. Test the keys to ensure they fit smoothly and that the lock engages easily enough until it meets its locking potential without being forced into submission (time).
Check that everything latches appropriately and closes entirely; sometimes doors settle or frames shift, and what’s working fine in one moment needs adjustment down the line after consistent use.
The Reward for Your Troubles
When you get it right from the beginning; you don’t have to focus on how to get it right later. You can focus on building your business instead of worrying whether everything’s getting locked up properly. When you’ve set your foundations for security, it’s easier to build upon them as your business expands over time.
What feels like one more thing on your list to check off during an already overwhelming task is something that’s an investment for the future. You’re creating something worth protecting—you need to protect it and enforce the idea that you value it from day one!
