When it comes to incorporating security measures for your business, the safety of your team members and staff is your number-one priority. But there’s more to protect than your people — your business assets need safeguarding, too.

In the age of cyberhacking and phishing, businesses often neglect physical security. But because physical theft is such a common way data is stolen, it’s crucial to protect your business assets — which include sensitive data. After all, what good is a network firewall or anti-malware software if someone has the freedom to steal your hardware?

The scary part is that you never know where a physical security threat can come from, be it a disgruntled employee who has access to data rooms and on-site servers, or simply a building entrance that isn’t as secure as it should be. To protect your data centers and other physical computing assets, your business needs smart physical security.

Fortunately, with the increasing need for physical security comes a rise in more sophisticated technology to match those threats. New security equipment utilizes automation and the internet of things (IoT) to offer security solutions that are more difficult to tamper with and simpler to integrate with alarm and surveillance systems.

Smarter Access Controls to Keep Your Assets Safe

When it comes to your building entrances, it’s not just about keeping people out — it’s also about who you let in, and how. Swipe cards and key locks are an old standby that many businesses still rely on, but because they can be easily interfered with, they’re not the most effective solution. Newer versions of access controls use digital technology to control access points and remotely manage IDs and user permissions, giving you more control over who gets in, and where.

• IP access controls. Looking for complete control over tracking entry and exits? IP access controls maintain a record of each and every entrance — as well as each attempted opening — of all doors, giving you more accurate reporting and specialized control. Just like more traditional access controls, areas managed by IP access control can be managed via vendor software. Plus, because IP access controls are connected to an on-site server, you can manage remotely from any network device, setting permissions, adding or removing users, or accessing reports.
• Cloud-based access controls. A cloud-based option maintains the digital networking of IP access control. You still benefit from accurate reporting, and your remote access control means that in the event of an emergency, managers can log in from any device and manage credentials or trigger a complete lockdown. The only difference is that your access controls are managed via an off-site database. This cloud-based control gives you more reliability via redundant backups, and it also reduces the need for timely and costly maintenance.

More Powerful Surveillance Cameras for Advanced Protection

No matter what kind of business you run, it’s a smart idea to have eyes on your site at all times — especially if you’re in retail or other business that’s open to the public. A sophisticated surveillance system is one of the most effective ways to monitor your business in areas that are more prone to criminal activity, such as outside exits or in stairwells or parking lots. But not all surveillance does the job equally well — especially when criminals know tricky workarounds to avoid getting caught. Thankfully, surveillance equipment has evolved with digital standards to outsmart even the most deceptive criminals.

• Camera resolution. Older 720 pixel cameras are being replaced by high-resolution cameras (in 720p and 1080p resolution). This cutting-edge quality offers sharper images and clearer details, which can help identify faces and license plate numbers in the event of criminal activity. Best of all, the image maintains quality even when in zoom, and the wide-angle lens covers more space, reducing the need for multiple cameras.
• Adjustable lenses. Pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras offer zoom functions, as well as 360-degree pan or 180-degree tilt, to monitor a more expansive area of coverage. Varifocal lenses offer an adjustable focal length, which allows you to zoom in and out for more detailed footage.
• Environmentally sensitive cameras. Never again will you lose critical viewing footage to poor lighting or extreme temperatures. Outdoor cameras are equipped with all the image quality of indoor models, but their rugged manufacturing and weatherproof exterior keep them functioning no matter the temperature or level of lighting. Thermal cameras, on the other hand, are an advanced option for nighttime recording. Because their imaging isn’t dependent on visible light, they pick up presences based on heat radiation and can detect criminal activity even through camouflaged conditions such as smoke or fog.

If you don’t have the right physical security, you’re putting your business — your team and your assets — in jeopardy. For more information about advanced equipment that will catch criminals, deter intruders and generally protect your business overall, download our free e-book The Short List of Physical Security Solutions. You can also contact us at Taylored Systems to learn how we can tailor our IT solutions to best suit the needs of your business.