Businesses involving warehouses need to be extra cautious. The space includes all sorts of hardware, items to be shipped and supplied and expensive technology equipment that costs a fortune. If thieves or terrorists manage to get a dive-in, they can inflict major damage.

According to the state government figures, store thefts increased by 23.7% in New South Wales, Australia from 2021-22; the highest since 1995. This is just a glimpse of why your warehouse requires proper security. Gone is the time when warehouse security only relied on the manual entry of the workers and some patrolling security guards.

New problems demand new solutions. You need to monitor every area, have a 24/7 security check, and implement technological systems to make sure you don’t incur major losses of property and personnel. Below is a complete warehouse security checklist for businesses in Melbourne, but before that, let’s observe some of the most vulnerable areas for a security breach.

Vulnerable areas that need warehouse security

The first and usually taken-into-account area is the gate because it is the junction of entry and exit. It includes both the gates of the warehouse and the storage rooms. In case of theft or burglary, the security staff should be active enough to respond effectively and immediately.

The second place is the supply route which involves machines and conveyor belts. Most of the employee theft occurs at these spots.

The third place is the storage rooms and garages. Prescribed individuals must protect the inventory from malicious eyes and allow entry only to them.

The stairs and washroom doors are the fourth and last places where this activity occurs. We observe that some employees hide stolen items in the bathroom during work hours and successfully escape with them when the warehouse becomes empty.

Warehouse Security Checklist: 8 Actions That Will Improve The Security

According to U.S. Department of Commerce, businesses lose $50 billion to employee theft only. Throw in exterior burglary and the damage is even vast. How to protect your warehouse then?

1. CCTV installation

Nowadays almost every warehouse is fitted with a Closed-Circuit television (CCTV) system and for a good reason. It monitors the premises 24/7 and informs you about an impending theft. If you’re not present at the camera at that time, you can easily identify the thief by watching the recording.

Ensure that signs are placed in the warehouse stating that the cameras are monitoring the workers/employees. This discourages them if they’re having sly thoughts. Also, ensure that you clean the lenses, check the cables and take proper backup of the recordings regularly.

2. Warehouse security alarm installation

Strategically placed alarms (movement alarms, fire alarms, etc.) will only improve your warehouse security. Whether you choose a wired system or an unwired one, it will automatically inform you about a situation that needs your attention e.g. an unauthorized entry or illegal transportation, etc. Fire alarms are essential at a big warehouse to ensure the safety of the employees and the cargo.

This also involves installing motion detectors and glass-break sensors so you can handle a theft situation immediately. Inspect them at least once a year and change the faulty ones quickly.

3. Fenced perimeters

Well-constructed fences can deter the threat by restricting unauthorized access and prolonging the time needed to breach it. Even if the criminal has entered it, it will be effort-taking to “shimmy out” the cargo through it – this keeps the lazy criminals out.

It also facilitates better traffic management within the premises. You can ensure that the vehicles and personnel follow designated routes, thereby preventing congestion and ensuring satisfaction. It creates a psychological “stay-alert” notification inside the heads of the employees who might be thinking of stealing something from the cargo.  If you can install lights on the perimeter, it will enhance the visibility at night as well and deter criminals who like to operate in darkness.

4. Entry through a keycard

The warehouse security checklist is incomplete without proper access control. This means your warehouse should be a no-entry zone for anyone without a keycard or RFID card. The employees can enter and exit by scanning their cards – this way you can always stay informed about who enters at which time. If necessary, the system can easily cancel access by disallowing the ID.

This RFID entry should be arranged for vehicles as well. Only the cargo vehicles should be allowed access to the inventory. Private vehicles should be parked outside.

5. 24/7 patrolling officers

Foot patrol security is not only meant for high-profile government buildings but for warehouses as well. The physical presence of uniformed individuals strolling the premises will reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access and theft. They can observe the vulnerable areas, entry/exit points and other surroundings to detect any suspicious activity.

If faced with an emergency, they can respond to it almost without any delay minimizing the loss. This involves incidents like fire, gas leak, security breaches, inventory shrinkage and theft.

The employees can also contact the patrolling security guards if they observe something fishy which will further strengthen your warehouse security.

6. Security threat awareness

At the end of the day, your whole staff is responsible for the safety of the warehouse and they can become better responders with proper security and threat training. Once you have completed the teaching process on how to receive the cargo, store it, handle it, and process it, you can communicate with me if something doesn’t happen according to the set procedure.

We need to devise a system that incorporates multiple levels of checking to identify issues such as missing labels, shipping discrepancies, and seal tearing. All the workers should know who to contact when they observe an obstruction in the natural flow of the activities.

Yes, they should train them in threat response too. All of them should know how to act if they encounter a theft, fire or alarm notification.

7. Cybersecurity

Warehouse security best practices involve online security as well. The Cyber Threat Report 2022 confirmed that businesses in Australia recorded 76,0000 cyber attacks in 2022. This calls for well-established and responsive cybersecurity that can keep your warehouse’s online data secure.

Records of shipments, vehicles and transactions are sensitive details and should only remain with a few loyal individuals. You should observe the control logs every 3 months to detect any suspicious intrusion, and you should automatically change the logins of your employees after 6-12 months.

It is also necessary to implement secure firewalls and data encryptions such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security). It’s always better to keep disaster recovery plans and network security documentation in hard form.

How Group One Security Services Helps You with Warehouse Security

Group One Security Services provides comprehensive warehouse security solutions to protect your assets, staff, and operations. Here’s how we can help:

1. 24/7 Security Guard Presence: We offer reliable security guard hire services to ensure constant vigilance. Our trained guards patrol your warehouse, monitor entry points, and prevent unauthorized access.
2. Customized Security Plans: We assess your warehouse’s specific needs and create tailored security strategies, ensuring maximum protection against theft, vandalism, and other potential threats.
3. Advanced Surveillance Systems: Our team installs and monitors high-tech security cameras and alarms, providing real-time surveillance and prompt responses to any suspicious activity.
4. Mobile Patrols: For larger warehouse facilities, our mobile patrol services ensure comprehensive coverage, with regular inspections both inside and around the perimeter.
5. Incident Reporting & Response: We provide detailed reporting and rapid response to any security breaches or incidents, minimizing downtime and ensuring the safety of your operations.
6. Access Control: We help implement and manage access control systems to limit entry to authorized personnel only, safeguarding sensitive areas and reducing internal threats.

By partnering with leading security companies , you benefit from our expertise in warehouse security, ensuring a secure and smoothly operating facility that protects your business from potential risks.

It’s time to adapt to new challenges and implement comprehensive solutions. Safeguard your warehouse by closely monitoring all areas, implementing 24/7 security checks, and leveraging advanced technological systems to protect your valuable assets and personnel. To assist you, we have compiled a complete warehouse security checklist that covers vulnerable areas and provides eight crucial actions to improve security. Act now to secure your warehouse and mitigate potential losses. We are pretty sure that your premises will be secured if you follow these recommendations.