What Is Warehouse Security? And Why You Need It

Warehouse security involves keeping your employees, visitors and stock safe. It also helps you prevent theft and damage to your products. 

Businesses have been facing an increase in warehouse theft with an estimated rise of 4.6% yearly from 2019. With so much product and foot traffic, they’re a prime target for thieves, sabotagers, and disgruntled employees and former employees. 

But the issues persist across the logistics chain. A report from the British Transport Police indicates that cargo theft costs UK businesses an estimated £100-£200 million annually, although the true scale of the problem is likely higher due to underreporting.

This warehouse security guide will cover the main security risks facing warehouses and why it is important to invest in a solution.

What is warehouse security?

Warehouse security involves the measures and practices taken to keep your warehouse secure from threats, theft, sabotage, property damage or loss. It also includes the safeguarding of employees and expensive equipment.

Without robust warehouse security measures, you’re not just leaving yourself open to security breaches, but disruptions in your operations that could cost you millions. Businesses need to make top-down efforts from management to assigned security personnel to keep a warehouse secure.

To answer ‘what is warehouse security’, let’s look at the components that create it.

The different types of warehouse security 

To understand which security protocols are the right fit for your warehouse, you need to know the most important measures and how they can work together.

Let’s get into this warehouse security guide so you know what measures you need to implement.

Warehouse security cameras

If you’ve ever wondered ‘what is warehouse security’ then you may have also been contemplating the value of security cameras.

Security cameras are well worth the investment for your business. Not only are they a great deterrent to thieves because of their ability to monitor behaviour, but the right system is more than just a warning.

Security cameras help businesses gather high-definition evidence to pursue a prosecution against thieves. Higher quality systems are now able to remotely update their software with the latest manufacturer releases.

This means you’re always on top of the most advanced protection without having to call in contractors to re-install.

Warehouse lighting

A component you may not have expected to see in a warehouse security guide is lighting, but it’s a vital yet overlooked measure. There have been many studies proving the effectiveness of lighting in reducing street crime, but the logic works for property protection too.

Poor lighting provides criminals with more opportunities to avoid detection and creates general hazards and safety risks. Lighting increases visibility and is an effective deterrent, and motion-detector lighting is an effective eco-friendly alternative.

Lighting is also important in supporting other security measures like security cameras. Better lighting means higher-quality footage and more accurate detection. 

Alarm systems

Alarm systems are a great way to protect your warehouse and can be a great deterrent if they are well-signposted. But they can also do so much more.

Alarm systems alert the police for help and can even do so silently. Silent alarms notify the police without thieves knowing, allowing them to arrive at the scene before they can leave.

With a quality security alarm system, you can be confident that any issues will be quickly resolved, and even increase the chance of detainment.

Security patrols

Though technology generally gives companies an advantage over criminals, sometimes there is no substitute for human intellect and discretion. No matter how advanced the security system, it is almost impossible to cover all blind spots. 

Manual security patrols and increased personnel presence are highly effective measures to protect your warehouse. They can deter casual thieves and trespassers and prevent large-scale damage and loss.

Access control systems and security cages

When implementing warehouse security measures, you don’t want to only focus on outside protection. You also need to review how you’re keeping your high-value stock secure inside the premises.

Access control systems are designed to restrict entry to protect valuable merchandise, equipment, and systems. It gives you the ability to restrict employee entry and access times to monitor and prevent potential crimes. 

You can further protect your business by combining access control systems with measures like security cages and doors. 

Securing stock in specialised cages reduces the risk of theft if criminals were to gain access. And entryway security doors with robust and electronic locking can delay thieves long enough for police to arrive.

Inventory tracking

Although this warehouse security guide can’t personally conduct your inventory tracking, it can help you reflect on your practices so you can better protect your business.

Do you know how you are checking and tracking your inventory? Or even how often you are checking your inventory for missing stock? To reduce the risk of high-value losses, you need to be consistently checking and maintaining your inventory system.

Proper inventory tracking, including good visibility and regular reviewing, is vital to account and prevent loss of stock.

Window security

Windows are another basic yet overlooked feature of warehouse security. If placed at ground level, they pose a significant security risk with potential access points for thieves. 

To protect your warehouse, consider installing features like impact-resistant glass, robust locking mechanisms, steel bars or window covers. These measures may seem costly at first but could save you thousands of pounds and hours of admin time if something were to go wrong.

Why do you need warehouse security?

Warehouse security offers safety to workers in the warehouse, but it’s also important to prevent theft, loss, and supply issues. 

Warehouse theft and vandalism are two of the biggest and most consistent threats to any business. And they can cause staggering amounts of financial damage in incredibly short amounts of time. 

So, optimising your warehouse security and investing in robust security systems is always in your business’s best interest.

Warehouse security guide

With this warehouse security guide, you understand how enhancing your security is crucial for safeguarding your inventory, equipment and staff. However, there are a few more decisions you can make to help increase your protection.

Use remote camera footage backups

Remote camera footage backs up your security camera footage offsite. This is an advantage for businesses as it prevents on-site tampering during a theft or act of vandalism.

When you use a camera system with an offsite data cloud, you can be confident that your evidence will be protected, no matter what happens on-site.

Make security checks a part of closing procedures

To optimise your in-person security, incorporate security checks into your closing routine.

If your warehouse isn’t open around the clock, it’s especially important to follow an accountable closing checklist. That means someone manually verifying that all security measures have been achieved, cages locked, locks secured and alarms activated.

If an incident occurs, you as a business, will be able to get an accurate picture of what went wrong and who to hold accountable.

Run background checks on all warehouse staff

Internal theft is a prevalent threat and accounts for millions in lost revenue every year. Conducting thorough background checks on all new employees is not just a necessary step but a vital one. 

Background checks allow questions or concerns on past behaviour to be addressed before they have access to valuable inventory. 

Outsource Samsic UK

So, now that you have a reliable warehouse security guide, you understand ‘what is warehouse security’ and what part you can play in securing your premises. But to truly reduce the risk of theft and optimise your security you need to consider outsourcing to a reliable provider such as Samsic UK to cover where you can’t.  

Samsic UK helps you enforce your warehouse security so businesses can focus on running their warehouse instead. With blended private security solutions for any size business and innovative technology, Samsic offers protection you can trust.

Contact us today to find out how we can support your business’s security needs.