In the past few years, security systems have become increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. With the rise of vandalism, theft, and COVID hybrid work schedules leaving offices without full staff, companies must take extra measures to protect their assets and their employees. Small businesses in Toledo are no exception, with property crime rates over the national average. Businesses in the area have been investing in new security systems to ensure that they are protected from all types of threats.
Habitec Security would like to explore some of the latest security system trends for businesses and how they can help our local companies in like those who use security systems in Toledo, Ohio. Read on to learn more!
Smart Businesses are Investing in High Quality Monitoring for Security Systems
One of the most important trends in security systems for businesses is a focus on high-quality monitoring. Many companies are realizing security systems are not enough to protect a business if they aren’t being actively monitored. An alarm simply isn’t enough to deter modern theft or vandalism without rapid responses and early detection. With trustworthy security monitoring, businesses can detect and respond to security breaches quickly, minimizing the damage and preventing future attacks.
High-quality monitoring includes features like 24/7 monitoring, remote access, and mobile alerts. With 24/7 monitoring, a security company can always keep an eye on your business, even after hours. This provides several benefits, including:
- Reducing false alarms
- Improving response times for law enforcement or emergency services
- Reducing costs from needing on-site security
- Potentially earning insurance discounts
In addition to professional monitoring, state-of-the-art security cameras offer remote access, allowing you to view your security cameras and other systems from anywhere with an internet connection. Mobile alerts can notify you of any suspicious activity on your property in real-time, letting you check in to see what’s happening.
A cutting-edge security features for businesses is outdoor video monitoring. Combining AI-enhanced technology with trained monitors, this feature can dramatically reduce response times. It’s a cost-effective alternative to hiring on-site security, with better coverage and fewer false alarms.
In addition to these features, some monitoring systems also offer advanced analytics capabilities, like reviewing tracked events. If your business is being targeted by thieves, monitoring and event alerts could catch them in the planning stages.
Updating Fire Alarm Systems
Another important trend in security for businesses is updating fire alarm systems. A fire can cause devastating damage to a business ranging in tens of thousands of dollars or more. It is critical to have a reliable fire alarm system in place! However, many older businesses and buildings in Toledo are protected by outdated fire alarm systems. These may not function properly in an emergency, risking harm to employees, customers and damage to your goods or equipment.
Updating your fire alarm system can include installing new detectors, adding automatic sprinklers, and upgrading your control panel. A trustworthy fire protection system covers everything from rapid detection to immediate warning for anything in and around the business.
New fire alarm systems can also integrate with your security system! For detection, this means your monitoring team could catch a fire before smoke alarms identify smoke, greatly improving the chance of avoiding catastrophic damage. Likewise, by pushing alerts from the fire alarms to your security system, the monitoring team can contact the fire department as soon as possible.
Lastly, like a new security system, updating your fire alarm can also save money on insurance premiums.
Improving Access Control for Split Office/Remote Workers
With the rise of remote work and split office models, it has become more challenging for businesses to manage access control. Access control refers to the process of managing who has access to certain areas of your business.
These systems are becoming increasingly popular among businesses as a security trend for 2023. They are designed to help businesses restrict or monitor access to their premises and sensitive areas, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter.
There are a range of access control solutions designed to meet the unique needs of small businesses of all types, ranging from controlling customers from accessing staff-only areas, to controlling staff movement throughout the building. Additionally, access control systems can be integrated with your business security and video system, providing a complete security solution for your business.
One of the core advantages of access control systems is the ability to open and close doors remotely. This feature can be especially useful for businesses that need to control access to multiple doors, such as warehouses or large offices. By allowing remote access, businesses can monitor access to their premises from anywhere, using a web or mobile app.
Being able to unlock the doors for employees who forgot their keys, or locking up after your closing team left the building vulnerable can be a major benefit! It only takes one slip up to lose money from opening late or allowing thieves to break in and steal equipment, goods, or even sensitive documents.
Secure card readers are another key feature of access control systems. With our secure card readers, you can ensure that only authorized personnel can access your premises. These readers are designed to work with a range of different access control cards, including magnetic stripe, proximity, and smart cards. They’re easier to control than making keys – you can deactivate these cards and monitor how they’re used to help reduce employee theft or issues arising with updating your staff.
Companies can also offer customizable reports, allowing you to track who is entering and leaving your premises, when they do so, and which areas they are accessing. This information can be vital for ensuring the security of your business and for managing employee access.
Many businesses in 2023 and beyond are looking into fully integrated access control systems. Connecting access control systems with your security system is a huge advantage to rounding out your business’s safety, allowing you to monitor access to your premises and detect security breaches in real-time. The full suite of systems allows businesses to minimize the risk of theft, vandalism, and other criminal activity.
Making Your Business Safe in 2023
Toledo entrepreneurs looking to maximize their small business security may find the whole process stressful and confusing. Fortunately, the process for updating your security system is easy! Working with an established, local security company means you’re in trusted hands:
- Start with a full security review and audit
- Receive a custom security recommendation fit for your business and needs
- Rely on live, 24/7 monitoring from trained specialists
A reliable security system means you can focus on running your business, leaving the safety of your staff and property to the experts.
About Habitec Security
Habitec Security is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, and operates two full-service branches in Columbus, Ohio, and Charlevoix, Michigan. We’ve been a trusted name in business and home security for 50 years, with awards for our local monitoring team and being a top workplace in our community.
We are ranked as one of the leading privately-held alarm companies in Ohio and as the 42nd largest electronic security company in the country according to the top 100 rankings compiled by the Security Distributing & Marketing (SDM).
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