In recent years, newer security solutions have made security more accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills or budget. They also provide more reliable, robust, and effective protection for your office and home.

A home security system should deter burglars and protect your property. Meanwhile, an office security system should protect your employees, data, and assets. Here are some effective tips to keep your office and home secure from unwanted visitors.

Invest in good locks

Your security can start with keeping your doors and windows locked when you’re away or at night. It is the simplest solution to prevent burglary.

Invest in high-quality locks for all entrances and exits of your home. Standard deadbolts are a good choice, and built-in mortise locks are also effective for sliding glass doors. Make sure they are all to British Standard BS7950. Ditch your old chain locks, as they are not as secure.

Smart doorbells are also a popular way to add cameras to a security system. Mostly used in homes, they monitor your front door and notify you of suspicious activity.

For your office, switch to access control. This security technology uses RFID tags or access chips to grant or deny access to individuals. Doors with access control cannot be accessed by unauthorised personnel, heightening security in the office area overall.

Install CCTV and alarm systems

Both your office and home should be secured with CCTV and an alarm system. 

CCTV cameras can give you sight of the surrounding areas and offer additional security by capturing criminals in the act. The recorded videos are valuable in identifying the culprits. When installing CCTV cameras, place them on strategic corners to maximise coverage area.

According to a study by the College of Policing, places with CCTV saw a 13% drop in overall crime compared to those without it. The study also found that certain types of crime were impacted by CCTV presence: drug-related incidents decreased by 20%, and vehicle and property crimes decreased by 14%.

Consider the lighting conditions surrounding the CCTV. Many CCTV systems need sufficient light to capture clear images. Outdoor lights, especially motion-sensor lights, can deter burglars by making them more visible.

Modern alarm systems should do the trick if an unwanted visitor can get past your CCTV. They can detect sound and motion and notify you of a break-in no matter where you are. 

However, alarm systems can cause panic with loud noises, so you must attain a permit in the UK for most fully functional alarm systems. Despite that, they can immediately notify local authorities of a break-in while you get to safety.

Keeping valuables safe

As a business leader and a property owner, you are responsible for ensuring confidential documents, sensitive data, and valuables are secured and protected.

You can store them in a locked cabinet when they are not in use. Fireproof, lockable storage is also a good thing to invest in, as it can protect your valuables from more than just intruders.

If you have any confidential data in digital format, keep them in secure cloud storage with regularly changed passwords. Make copies on an external hard drive in case of a cyber attack.

Refrain from posting about them on social media, as it can attract unwanted attention. If you post a picture in front of your home, make sure your address or any obvious landmark in the background is not visible.

Training and Awareness

Lastly, high-quality security systems in offices and homes still require human cooperation. 

One of the major risks to any company’s security is human error. However, rigorous training and a strong emphasis on the importance of security can help mitigate this risk. If you prefer extra protection, hiring reputable security personnel is an option.

It’s the same at home. Your family and employees who reside in the vicinity must understand the security measures. This way, they have more understanding of why these tools are installed and what to do if a break-in happens when you’re not at home.