What Types of Security Measures Do Warehouses Require?

Some warehouses are pick, pack, and ship, others are smart warehouses, while some are cold storage and bonded warehouses. All these locations and parts of warehouses are very important as they receive and store items, pick and ship them for orders, and keep an accurate inventory both for businesses, 3PLs, and 4PLs. But warehouses are always at high risk of thefts, robberies, break-ins, and frauds. So it’s extremely crucial to integrate the right security systems.   

In this blog post, Linked Security will discuss the main warehouse security systems and how to maintain security. 

Professional Security Guards

It makes sense to have professional security officers in warehouses, especially in large facilities. Security guards at the entrance and exits log employees and visitors, check credentials, and answer questions. They can also perform mobile patrols throughout the property’s interior and exterior. If trained to understand your property security protocols, they can effectively monitor for security violations. In a nutshell, they will act as eyes and ears to boost internal security. According to ACFE, one-third of fraud cases occur because businesses lack internal control. 

Camera Surveillance and Monitoring 

The video surveillance and monitoring systems allow warehouses to monitor and view live and recorded video footage. Modern cameras can cover more than one location of the main warehouse area, like storage spaces, loading docks for shipping and receiving, parking lots, garages, and office space. These surveillance cameras can help businesses maintain security by continuously monitoring the warehouse round the clock, even during non-working hours. The presence of the cameras acts as a visual deterrent to intruders and provides the employees with peace of mind. 

Best Security Cameras for Warehouses

You may consider the following Avigilon security cameras for your warehouse:

• H6 Mini Dome Camera – great for indoor spaces

• H5A Fisheye Camera – budget 360-degree coverage
• H5A-PTZ Camera – high-speed and wide area coverage
• H5A Rugged PTZ – for extreme weather conditions
• H5A Dual Head Camera – video analytics features, reduces blind spots
• H5 Pro Camera Line – high-resolution camera and wide scene coverage
• H4 Multisensory Camera – 360-degree coverage and video analytics 
• H4 Thermal Camera – an excellent choice for absolute dark scenes 

Alarm Response Systems

Security alarm systems are installed at warehouses to signal the authorities if there’s unlawful activity. This system includes a detector with a sensor followed by an alarm circuit. Various types of sensors are used for detection, like unauthorized entry, intrusion, fire, and smoke detection. A team of alarm security guards gets a notification immediately as the alarm goes on. These guards arrive at the warehouse facility to take the situation under control. The mobile patrolling security guards typically show up for the rescue before the monitoring team arrives. 

Other Professional Warehouse Security Systems

Apart from these three main security systems, there are a few other essential measures to safeguard assets. For example, the access control system can restrict unauthorized entry into the restricted areas of the warehouse. To gain access, authorized staff can use access pins, access cards, biometric access solutions, and other things. Audio and video intercoms also help maintain the correct entry of the employees. 

Cyber and online data security is equally important. As smart warehouses are becoming popular these days, they are potential targets for hackers. Therefore, you need to ensure that your data is secure and that you have a strategy to protect it. 

How to Maintain Warehouse Security 

It’s important to understand that different warehouses must utilize different security systems listed above. 

All warehouses can be divided into two types: warehouses owned and used by the manufacturing company and the second type – leased or rented warehouses.

In the first case, the warehouse security systems (video surveillance or burglar alarms) don’t have to cover the entire perimeter. They are usually installed in “narrow” spaces like checkpoints, electrical panel rooms, etc. The use of less security equipment is explained by the fact that the company owner of the warehouse mainly staffs such warehouses, and there are few unauthorized accesses on its territory. 

The whole area must be under 100% protection when it comes to internal premises to maintain a high-security level. Surveillance cameras should cover 90% of the premises, typically installed at the gates of loading docks. Low-storage areas should have cameras installed around the room’s perimeter to cover maximum space. The cameras are usually mounted in the aisles for high-rise shelving or storage racks. 

Security for rented or leased warehouses is organized differently. Since the warehouse is leased to several tenants, it should have a robust protection measure along the perimeter – roads, parking lots, driveways, electrical substations, etc. Security systems installed by warehouse owners should provide them with objective information to respond to emergencies and resolve disputes with conflicting parties. 

But safety inside falls under the responsibility of tenants. They will use security measures depending on the specifics of their business. The warehouse owners are only responsible for the fire and sound alarm systems. 

What to Know About Maintaining Security In Your Warehouse 

As you see, warehouse safety can be broken into external and internal. Fires, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and robberies are all external threats. But internal security breaches typically come from the personnel. Unauthorized persons often commit thefts in cahoots with warehouse workers. 

Internal theft is estimated to cost the US business approximately $50 billion annually, and 90% of all significant theft losses come from employees. What does this mean for you? It means that if theft occurs in your warehouse, you should first look for a thief among your workers. 

Furthermore, issues such as a correction to shipping documents, strange markings on packages, goods being on the wrong racks, and even workers taking too many smoke breaks are red flags a safety manager should address.  

If you are unsure whether your warehouse’s security is enough, contact us today. We’ll identify where it lacks and offer solutions for protecting your goods, employees, and 3PL partners. We provide New York City security services you can choose from to keep your warehouse safe and secure.