As the retail industry has changed over the past few decades, the kinds of security threats that need to be mitigated have become increasingly complicated. Retail security often requires a multifaceted approach, with a thoughtful consideration of multiple different areas, from digital security to shop floor surveillance.
Digital security
In the modern day and age, almost all retailers operate in the digital realm, even if they have a brick-and-mortar store as well. As a result, it’s important to focus on digital security, especially as we pass the halfway mark in 2023.
Make sure that you set up secure payment gateways, multi-factor authentication, and a range of other controls, to ensure that you protect both your business and your customer’s data from getting into the wrong hands.
Securing warehouses
As a retailer, one of your most substantial collections of assets will normally be the stock stored in your warehouses. It’s imperative that you keep that stock safe – if anything happened to it, it could spell disaster for your business.
An increasing number of retailers are using roller shutters as a warehouse security solution. Shutters from providers such as LBS Group provide a number of benefits; not only do they present a physical barrier to deter would-be burglars and vandals, but they can also limit the spread of fire and prevent damage from environmental events such as storms.
Video surveillance
As video camera technology has become increasingly accessible, retail businesses have continued to leverage surveillance technologies. Both in customer-facing retail establishments and warehouses, video surveillance can act as a powerful deterrence against theft, while making it easier to prosecute those who do still choose to steal.
Data protection regulations
It used to be the case that a customer would come into a shop, hand over some cash, and then walk away with a product, without the shop knowing anything about that individual.
Nowadays, customers often need to provide a range of information, such as their address, name, and email, when making a purchase.
To ensure that this kind of sensitive data is protected, regulations such as GDPR have been introduced. As a retail business, it’s imperative that you manage customer data in line with these regulations, to ensure that you’re not left liable to legal action.
Employee training
Security in all settings is most effective when it’s integrated into company policy, not tacked on as an additional extra. As a result, it’s important that you provide your employees with extensive training on relevant security measures.
This might be as simple as talking about the procedure for locking up the shop at the end of the day, or as complicated as analysing video security footage in the case of a theft. It’s important to provide this kind of training regularly, to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date.
There’s obviously a lot to think about when it comes to retail security. Depending on what kind of retail business you’re running, there may also be other considerations that were left off of this list. Make sure that you conduct an in-depth risk assessment, to ensure that you’re not leaving any stones unturned.
