Every year, more and more commercial properties face different types of crime and the associated security challenges. As criminals become more creative, businesses must enhance their security to prevent the loss of property. Proactive security measures like perimeter security are effective strategies for deterring property crime.
The more you know about perimeter security, the better you can refine your overall approach. While fencing is an essential element of any physical security strategy, it’s more complex than simply buying a fence. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of different fencing types to create a multi-layered security strategy that keeps criminals at bay.
The Growing Threat of Property Crime
Criminals are continuously evolving their approach and techniques, and as a result, commercial properties must implement effective security measures to avoid significant financial losses and reputational damage. Thieves and intruders are quick to get a step ahead of the latest security measures, and this means commercial property crime is on the rise.
A combination of economic pressure, increased asset value and technological advances could be a few causes of this rise in crime. This results in a severe direct and indirect impact on businesses. Let’s say an organization falls victim to external theft, vandalism, and larceny. In that case, they must weather the costs of property damage, stolen assets, and increased insurance premiums. Indirect results of property crime include reputational damage, increased absenteeism among employees, decreased productivity, and loss of customers.
Why Fencing Is Essential to Property Security
Many criminals look for easy opportunities and conditions before they attempt to access a property. Certain businesses are more at risk than others, primarily because of weak perimeter security and vulnerable access points. The right type of perimeter fencing creates a physical and psychological barrier between your assets and would-be criminals, letting them know that your site is secure and challenging to target.
In addition, a perimeter fence allows you to control access to your commercial site. When combined with access control and security cameras, you can monitor, regulate access, and provide evidence of potential intrusion for law enforcement. A perimeter fence also makes your employees and customers feel more secure, which can lead to better productivity and profitability.
If you already have a perimeter fence, the first step is to evaluate its effectiveness as both a deterrent and a physical barrier against intruders.
Popular Types of Security Fencing
Not all fences are created equal. Choosing the right perimeter security for your business should involve comparing the popular types of security fencing in order to select the best option for your circumstances. Consider the following fencing types:
- Electric fencing: An electric fence is an effective deterrent against unauthorized access. The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence uses pulsed electricity every 1.3 seconds, which makes it safe. If a would-be intruder attempts to breach the perimeter, they receive a safe but memorable shock, which encourages them to think twice about another attempt.
- Chain-link fences: On its own, a chain-link fence is easy for criminals to breach. But adding an electric fence inside your chain-link fence creates a layered security barrier to deter would-be intruders. In order to comply with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, an electric fence must be installed inside a chain-link fence or similar barrier.
- Barbed wire: Barbed wire is commonly installed on top of a chain-link fence to discourage criminals from climbing over. While it’s a partial deterrent, it’s also potentially dangerous to animals and people. Most businesses prefer an electric fence that uses pulsed electricity for its safety and effectiveness at deterring crime.
Enhancing Your Perimeter Security With an Electric Fence
Preventing business crime starts with your perimeter. Take the following steps to ensure your electric perimeter fencing is an effective deterrent:
- Schedule a threat assessment: First, you must determine how at risk your commercial property is. During a threat assessment, security experts can identify your current level of susceptibility to damage, property theft or intrusion, then recommend proactive solutions to preventing theft.
- Check your existing perimeter fence: IEC standards require an electric fence to be externally separated from the public by a fence at least 5 feet tall. Before you have an electric fence installed inside your existing fence, ensure it aligns with these standards.
- Think about power sources: Electric fences can run on the main grid, battery power, or solar power. Electricity is reliable as long as you have consistent power, and batteries require frequent maintenance and replacements. Solar power is typically the most ideal option, depending on your climate.
- Add video surveillance and monitoring: Once you have your electric fence in place, you can invest in additional layers of physical security, including video surveillance and remote monitoring. Integrate your electric fencing with video surveillance to capture compelling evidence of criminal activity. With video monitoring, your perimeter is monitored 24/7 to verify and respond to threats in real time.
- Implement Gate Access Control: Ensure protection and security at all entrances and exits across your site with Gate Access Control. This solution is especially crucial for commercial operations with frequent vehicular traffic, like trucking companies and warehouses. Your access control system should include visible security measures, like a credential reader and security camera, to be integrated with a strong perimeter barrier.
- Install alarm-based lighting system: An alarm-based lighting system provides yet another layer of security. When the electric fence alarm is activated, the system detects activity along your site’s perimeter, and then floods the area with light. This sudden illumination deters intruders and alerts security personnel to the attempted breach.
- Consider enhancements: Depending on your location and situation, you may want enhancements for your electric fence. For example, angled fencing prevents thieves from throwing items over the fence, and lay-down fencing prevents them from digging underneath.
Stop Crime Before It Happens With AMAROK
An electric perimeter fence is the basis of any successful physical security strategy. With external theft and vandalism on the rise, you need a partner to protect your property, your people, and your profits.
AMAROK is an award-winning perimeter security solutions provider serving more than 8,000 happy customers across the country. The average AMAROK customer saves $120,000 annually by replacing 24/7 security guards with our solutions.
Create the ultimate crime prevention solution for your commercial business or industrial site with FORTIFEYE™ — the world‘s first integration of electric security fencing, video surveillance, and video monitoring.
Contact our perimeter security experts to get more information or request a quote today.
