4 Types Of Warehouse Security Measures

Warehouse facilities have recently seen a 98% increase in thefts and a 266% increase in theft value. We exist in financially turbulent times, and with more and more people struggling financially, we can expect to see warehouse theft spike even more. So, how do you keep your warehouse secure in the modern climate? Keep reading as we discuss the four types of warehouse security measures that can help you to ensure your profit margins aren’t impacted by warehouse theft.

Access Control

Access control is the foundation for your security strategy. It prevents unauthorised users from accessing your building. Traditional padlock systems are insufficient to protect your inventory from theft, as lockpicking compromises padlock systems, and the internet has made lockpicking knowledge more accessible to organised criminals.

Access control operates using keycards, fobs, or mobile credentials. It allows you to secure your building without the risk of lockpicking. Cloud-based access control is an increasingly popular security measure, making security management more straightforward and accessible for security staff.

Here are some of the benefits of a cloud-based access control system:

• Remote operation of door locks – your security team can easily lock and unlock security doors using a mobile application. They can ensure the building’s perimeter is secure at all times, from anywhere.
• Remote visibility of access logs – your security team can view access logs from anywhere to quickly identify potential security risks.
• Integration potential – cloud-based access control has open API integrations, allowing you to integrate security tools and apply software integrations that improve ROI on your security tool investments.

For these reasons, cloud-based access control is highly sought-after in the warehousing industry.

Video Security

Video security is also essential in your warehousing security strategy. This is for a few important reasons:

• The employee theft – you need to install video security throughout your warehousing facility to identify and prevent employee theft incidents that would be difficult to spot otherwise.
• Insurance claims – should you experience a significant theft, you may wish to make an insurance claim. Video evidence of the robbery could be precious in helping with your claim.
• Police investigations – your security camera footage will be precious in a police investigation to help find the culprit.

Like access control, warehousing facilities choose security solutions with cloud storage for security cameras. Cloud-based video security helps to ensure consistent visibility for your warehouse. When your security staff is performing rounds, they can easily stay up-to-date with security threats by checking surveillance footage on their mobile devices. They do not need to be inside a control room to view security cameras, shift the focus of the cameras, and investigate potential security risks.

Identity Verification

Any security system presents the risk of an unauthorised user entering the building using stolen or borrowed access keycards. To prevent this from happening, you can invest in cloud-based access control and video security and take advantage of the open API integrations.

Hosting your security data on disparate platforms will only inhibit your security response procedures. Security staff would need to correlate data from different sources using timestamps to verify that a person’s keycard matches their identity. However, by integrating your access control and video security solutions, you can ensure that all this information is readily accessible on a single interface.

You can apply facial recognition software to your integrated system to automate identity verification. The software will automatically verify that an individual’s identity matches the keycard they use. If the identity does not match, this will trigger an alert to allow for a quick and agile security response.

RFID Inventory Logging

One of the best ways to prevent theft in your warehouse is to keep track of your inventory. Manual data entry systems leave gaps for human error and intentional deception. You can spot inventory shrinkage more easily by digitising your inventory logging processes. With an RFID inventory logging system, all your inventory will be assigned a barcode, allowing them to be scanned during a stock count. Not only will this technology improve your security strategy – it will also improve your warehouse management strategy. Spotting theft early gives you a more significant chance of identifying the culprit, as the window of opportunity will be smaller.

Visitor Management Systems

As with inventory logging, providing accurate and reliable visitor information is essential. You need to know who has accessed your warehouse facility and at what time. This will allow you to narrow down potential suspects when investigating the theft.

Visitor management software is a tool you can use to automate visitor logging based on access control events. When visitors need to enter, they can fill out a registration form on their mobile devices. Filling in the registration form will allow them to enter the building using temporary access credentials downloaded to their mobile device. By digitising the visitor management process, you will have more reliable data for an internal investigation.

Summary

If you’re operating a warehousing or fulfillment facility, you need to consider security a top priority – particularly in light of recent events. Consider the security tools listed above and whether your existing strategy is sufficient to prevent theft at your facility. Prioritising security is equivalent to protecting your profit margins.

At The Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), we offer five levels of UK and internationally recognised warehouse management online courses. We offer a modern, flexible approach to distance learning. Study short-term courses in logistics or extensive management strategy with up to a year of study — you choose your own full or part-time approach with unlimited tutor support throughout your time with us. From inventory management to logistics courses online, our online training systems for warehouse management equip supply chain professionals with the skills necessary to advance their career.

Call 0800 1422 522 today to find out more.