So, you’re looking to store your goods somewhere? As your business grows, it gets to the point where you can’t just stuff your products in your bedroom or garage anymore, and you’ll want to find the perfect solution to your storage needs.

 

Past a certain point, a warehouse becomes your best bet when it comes to cost-effectiveness per unit area and adaptability to particular conditions like temperature, humidity, etc. If you’re scouting out a facility to store your goods, you also need to make sure that your products will be safe and secure – remember; cargo theft results in billions of dollars of loss every year!

 

In this blog post, we’re going to run down some of the most important security issues to consider when selecting a managed warehouse provider.

 

 

1.24-hour CCTV Surveillance and Monitoring

 

 

This one’s a no-brainer – an extensive network of CCTV cameras will ensure that no activity in the warehouse goes unnoticed. An intelligently placed CCTV camera installation, with no blind spots or weaknesses, will act as a deterrent to thieves. If a break-in does occur, you’ll be able to see what time they got in, what they took, where the physical security failed, and their exit route.

 

Warehouse providers should also be aware of internal theft issues. Having a strong CCTV network is both a preventative measure and a vital component in monitoring employee behavior, ensuring incidents are kept to a minimum. – For more about warehouse staff security, please see ‘Background Checks,’ below.

 

High-quality CCTV systems come with low light capabilities, face recognition, motion activation, and other analytics, to make warehouse storage even more secure. A good warehouse provider will also have 24/7 monitoring of the cameras, with multiple screens in various locations – you should want as many eyes as possible monitoring your goods at all times.

 

 

2. Automated Alarm Systems

 

 

Cameras are all well and good, but, obviously, warehouse providers need to be made aware of an emergency at the moment it happens, and be ready to react accordingly. A wide variety of automated alarm systems are available for warehouses, ranging from the basics of fire detection and glass-break sensors to motion detection and smart door alarms, etc.

 

An excellent and effective central security system will be able to detect problems and instantly notify the relevant parties through real-time push notifications, via emails and smartphones. If your business has products stored in a warehouse, you’ll want to know that all alarms and emergency responses are swift and well-coordinated!

 

 

3.Background Checks

 

When choosing a warehouse to store your goods, you want to know that the people handling your products are trustworthy. Performing thorough background checks for all warehouse staff should be a core part of any provider’s security program.

 

What should be examined to alleviate potential risks? – Employment history, references and a criminal background check should all be mandatory. Asking about the number of gangster movies they’ve watched where the protagonists break into a warehouse and magically bypass every security door, motion alarm system, and surveillance camera might be taking things a little too far…  All joking aside, proper, regular employee security checks will give businesses the confidence that their chosen warehouse providers are taking all steps to mitigate the risk of employee theft.

 

 

   4. Electronic Access Control

 

There’s nothing quite like a big, solid door to stop someone dead in their tracks. Usually, a door you can’t bypass or easily break down is deterrent enough for anyone who even thinks of trying to get into somewhere they shouldn’t be.

 

Warehouses that utilize an electronic access control system can keep these solid doors closed to non-employees. What’s more, a security conscious warehouse provider can have different access levels for individual employees, without having to manage a complex set of keys.

 

If your business uses warehouse storage, you’ll want to be certain that all areas of the complex are correctly managed, and that only people with authorized clearance will be able to gain access to and handle your goods.

 

 

5.Data Security Controls

 

 

In a modern warehouse, it’s not just the physical products that need to be protected. Data security is a massive priority for businesses, worldwide, and when your organization is selecting a warehouse provider, you’ll want to know that everything is in place to keep your cargo and company data secure.

 

Every electronic data point in a warehouse management system needs to be protected with unique passwords and I.D. entry requirements for staff. These areas should include receiving points, storage zones, picking and packing points, and shipping and loading docks.

 

Losses in a company’s supply chain are costly. If more isn’t done to highlight and plan for the risks involved, your business will suffer from further problems. When you are selecting your warehouse storage partner, you need to ensure that they are operating with the kind of world-class level of security your business deserves.

 

Here at TDS Logistics, we operate our own warehouse facilities, complete with extensive security systems, 24/7 monitoring, and specialist storage areas for items that require precise environmental conditions. If you’d like to discover more about how TDS can provide the exact (and secure) solutions to your warehousing needs, contact our helpful and knowledgeable team, today