Taking A New Look at Physical Security

If you’re being honest, you’ll admit that most of us set up our physical security systems and then pretty much forget about them until something goes wrong. You install the cameras, hand out the key cards, and assume everything’s good to go. But here’s the thing: your security needs change as your business changes.

Think about it this way. You wouldn’t use the same marketing strategy you had five years ago, right? The same logic applies to physical security. What worked when you had ten employees crammed into a single office probably isn’t cutting it now that you’ve got multiple locations and people coming and going at all hours.

So, when do you know it’s time to take a step back and really reassess physical security? Usually, it’s when something feels off. Maybe you’ve noticed people propping doors open because the access system is too slow. Or perhaps you realized that half your security cameras are pointed at empty walls because you rearranged the office layout six months ago.

Taking a Fresh Look at Access Control

Here’s where things get interesting-and where most companies discover they’ve got bigger problems than they thought. Access control sounds fancy, but it’s really just about who gets to go where and when.

Walk around your office right now and count how many people still have access who probably shouldn’t. That intern from last summer? Yep, her key card probably still works. The contractor who finished that project three months ago? His code is likely still active. It happens to everyone.

The real question is whether you even know who has access to what. If someone asked you right now for a list of everyone who can get into your server room after hours, could you pull that up in five minutes? If the answer is no, you’ve got some work to do.

Modern access systems should make your life easier, not harder. You should be able to see who swiped in at 2 AM on a Saturday, or notice that someone’s been accessing areas they don’t normally go to. If your current system can’t tell you these things, you’re basically operating with a blindfold on.

Warning Signs That Demand Attention

Some red flags are pretty obvious. If you’ve had a break-in or security incident, that’s your wake-up call right there. But other signs are more subtle and easy to miss.

High employee turnover is a big one that catches people off guard. Every time someone leaves, there’s a chance their access doesn’t get properly revoked. Multiply that by dozens of departures over a few years, and you’ve got a serious problem on your hands.

Then there’s the technology drift. Your security system was state-of-the-art in 2018, but now it feels clunky and outdated. Maybe the software crashes regularly, or the cameras produce grainy footage that wouldn’t help identify anyone. Technology moves fast, and security tech moves even faster.

Don’t forget about physical changes either. You knocked down a wall here, added a new entrance there, moved the reception desk to the other side of the building. Each change potentially creates new vulnerabilities or blind spots in your coverage.

Creating a Regular Review Schedule

The best approach? Don’t wait for problems to force your hand. Build security reviews into your routine, just like you do with financial audits or performance reviews. Once a year works for most businesses, though you might want to do it more often if you’re in a high-risk industry or location.

Make it a team effort, too. Your employees use these systems every day and probably have insights you’d never think of.