There are very few business assets that are as vulnerable as vehicles. With values running into tens of thousands of dollars a company’s vehicles are left unguarded for hours at a time, during which time they are vulnerable to a plethora of risks.
Keeping a fleet of vehicles secure is no mean feat, but much can be done to help. From securing the company parking lot to the importance of staff training we cover seven steps to help protect your business vehicle.
Section One: Comprehensive Vehicle Security
For clarity, we have broken this down into two sections. In the first section, we cover general steps that apply to overall vehicle security before focusing on parking lot security in the following section.
Step 1: Understanding the Risks
The first step is to understand the risks that your business vehicle faces. No two vehicles are the same. For instance, the beat-up pickup truck used in the yard will have a completely different risk profile from the chief exec’s company car, while new or used EVs are typically stolen less often than gas-powered vehicles.
Understanding the risks means understanding the steps needed to help protect your business vehicle. Common risks include:
· Theft and vandalism: Vehicles, especially those branded with company logos, can be prime targets for theft and vandalism.
· Accidental damage: Accidents, whether in transit or stationary, pose a risk to the integrity and longevity of the vehicles, impacting their usability and value.
· Data security: Mobile devices left in cars represent a significant risk of a data breach and need to be considered when strategizing data privacy policies.
· Unauthorized use: Instances of unauthorized use of company vehicles can lead to increased wear and tear, higher maintenance costs, and potential legal issues.
Step 2: Train Employees on Security Protocols
The human factor is often the weakest link in any chain. While it is impossible to completely mitigate this risk – humans are humans after all – a comprehensive training strategy can help to reduce the “human factor” effect.
Among key areas to focus on are:
· Security awareness: Educate employees about the risks associated with business vehicles and the importance of security measures.
· Access control: Implement procedures for accessing and using company vehicles, emphasizing accountability.
· Reporting incidents: Encourage employees to promptly report any suspicious activities or incidents related to vehicle security.
Step 3: Regular Maintenance and Updates of Security Systems
Just like vehicles themselves, security systems need to be maintained and kept up to date if they are to continue to perform. What this constitutes will vary significantly from business to business, but commonly will include surveillance & dash cameras, access control systems, alarms, and tracking systems.
Step 4: Vehicle Tracking Systems
Vehicle tracking systems should be an essential choice for any business vehicle. Apart from additional security, advanced systems can also help with business efficiency.
Consider the following:
· GPS tracking: Utilize GPS technology to monitor vehicle movements in real-time.
· Geofencing: Set up virtual boundaries to receive alerts when vehicles enter or leave specific areas.
· Dash cams: Install dash cameras to capture video footage for evidence and accident analysis.
Section 2: Parking Lot Security
It is easy to think that once the vehicle is “secured” in the parking lot all your safety worries are over. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. No finer source than the FBI has listed parking lots as the third most likely place for crime.
While the security of third-party parking lots is out of your hands, much can be done to boost the security of your business parking lot. This is even more essential if the parking lot is used by customers – an insecure parking lot can inflict a serious dent in your brand image and damage customer loyalty.
Step 5: Conduct a Security Audit
Begin by evaluating the current state of your business parking lot’s security. A comprehensive security audit helps identify vulnerabilities, such as inadequate lighting or blind spots. Consider:
· Lighting assessment: Ensure proper lighting to deter criminal activity.
· Surveillance coverage: Assess camera placements to cover critical areas.
· Access control: Review and tighten access points to the lot.
Step 6: Install Parking Lot Security Cameras
Modern parking lot security cameras are technological marvels crammed with advanced features that hugely enhance their effectiveness. Both as a deterrent and as an evidence collector, advanced surveillance cameras are an essential part of any security arsenal.
Key points to consider include:
· Choosing the right placement: Strategically position cameras to cover blind spots and critical areas.
· Camera selection: Invest in high-quality cameras for clear footage.
· Advanced features: Explore cameras with AI capabilities for intelligent monitoring and cloud storage for easy access to recordings.
Step 7: Implement Strict Access Control and Enhance Lighting
Dark parking lots with open access are like an open invitation for all the wrong sorts of guests. Consider adequate lighting and access control systems in larger or more exposed car parking lots.
Modern access control systems can be easily automated for convenience and linked to surveillance and lighting systems.
Navigating the Road to Fleet Security
From reducing insurance costs to ensuring your business runs smoothly and your staff is protected, there are plenty of compelling reasons to make sure of the safety of your business vehicle.
These points are even more compelling in today’s world. According to Statista, car crime stats are largely on a downward curve. However, the last couple of years have bucked this trend and as of 2022, the car crime figures stood at 282 reported cases per 100,00 population. Taking the right measures will help you keep from falling on the wrong side of this statistic.