Dealerships are one of the most difficult businesses to ensure adequate levels of security. There will be a constant stream of people coming in and out of your premises, and many of them will be interacting with high-value assets that are designed to be moved.
It takes a well-thought-out strategy to get security just right in these kinds of contexts, and an easy way of starting that process is to look out for red flags.
From outdated CCTV systems to poor employee training, here are a few areas you can focus on.
Low quality CCTV systems
In the context of both incident prevention and tracking down thieves, it’s critical that you have an effective, reliable CCTV system in place.
That means having sensor-operated lights as a deterrent, but also cameras that provide high-quality images in all light conditions.
You should regularly check that your camera system is operating as intended, including everything from lens condition to video feed data storage.
Perimeter weaknesses
The single most important way of preventing vehicles from being taken off your lot is to have a strong perimeter in place.
Fencing can be important to try to keep people out, but likewise, having a low-level, solid wall and some strong bollards can be even more important to physically prevent vehicles from leaving.
The aesthetics of this perimeter are important in terms of deterrence, but don’t just go off looks. It’s worth engaging a security consultant, so that they can inspect your system and see if it’s up to scratch.
Key management system
Another big red flag in dealership security is the presence of outdated key management systems. Keeping keys on pegs on a wall or all together in a single, locked drawer is an accident waiting to happen, and a totally unnecessary one at that.
There are plenty of technologically advanced solutions available nowadays from providers like KEYper Systems that can provide a much tighter level of control.
You can limit and remotely alter how each individual key is accessed, while also gaining access to automatically created access logs.
Poor employee training
There’s not a single security system in existence, no matter how advanced it is, that can actually serve its intended function unless it’s used properly.
As a result, you can’t just invest in technologies; you also need to train your employees so that they know how to use those tools properly.
Rather than just being a part of your onboarding process, this training should be ongoing, updated and refreshed at regular intervals. In dealerships, security is one of the most important issues you’ll need to take care of, and it deserves proper investment.
By focusing on these areas, you should be able to identify weaknesses in your security system and patch them up accordingly. It’s worth continually coming back to your approach, updating as new technologies emerge that can be used to protect or attack your business. Security is an ongoing commitment, and neglecting that commitment in dealerships can have severe consequences.
Want to unlock greater wellness?
Listen to our friends over at the Wellness + Wisdom Podcast to unlock your best self with Dr. John Lieurance; Founder of MitoZen; creators of the ZEN Spray and Lumetol Blue™ Bars with Methylene Blue.
