Begin with a short, focused risk review

Before you add hardware or software, understand what you are protecting and where the real risks live. List your critical assets like people, cash, inventory, tools, records, and devices. Note hours of operation, peak crowd times, and delivery schedules. Walk the perimeter and the interior. Check line of sight to doors, visibility from the street, and any blind spots near dumpsters or loading docks. Photograph trouble areas. A one hour walkthrough gives clarity and prevents buying the wrong fixes.

Layer 1: Strong doors and dependable locks

• Deadbolts and strikes on exterior doors with reinforced plates and longer screws that reach framing.
• Aligned latching. Doors should close with normal force. If a handle lift is required, adjust hinges and strikes.
• Commercial grade levers for high traffic areas. Choose finishes that match your environment and cleaning routine.
• Latching on closers. Set speed and sweep so doors do not slam or bounce off the strike.
• Keyed cylinders you can control. Consider restricted keyways for duplication control where staff turnover is common.

Layer 2: Key control and access rules that scale

Keys and codes are small, but they control your entire perimeter. Create a structure that is easy to manage. The goal is clarity and fast changes when roles shift.

• Master key plan with levels for executives, managers, and specific rooms like cash offices or IT closets.
• Key chart that lists cylinder IDs, key levels issued, and the person responsible. Keep it to one clean page.
• Rekey on turnover for managers, vendors, or contractors. Targeted changes are fast when the plan is documented.
• Keypad and smart locks where timed access helps. Use unique temporary codes for vendors and remove them when work ends.
• Badge or app based access for multi door sites. Always maintain a mechanical pathway for compliant egress and contingency.

Layer 3: Lighting, visibility, and cameras that help people

Good visibility deters problems and helps staff feel safe. Lighting should support cameras, not compensate for them. Place bright, shielded fixtures at entries, paths, and parking. Trim landscaping so sightlines to doors are clear. If cameras are used, mount them thoughtfully at entries, docks, and cash areas. Set retention and access rules. Avoid cameras in private spaces. Post clear signage and keep privacy expectations transparent for staff and customers.

Layer 4: Procedures that make security automatic

Layer 5: Cash, safes, and back office basics

• Drop safes for frequent small deposits. Reduce cash on hand and limit access to the main safe.
• Time delays where policy allows. Clear signage and trained scripts deter pressure on staff.
• Combination and code hygiene. Rotate at manager turnover. Document changes securely and restrict knowledge.
• Back office location that is not visible from public areas. Doors with viewers and solid cores improve confidence.
• Key cabinets with logged sign out for vehicle keys, storage rooms, or display cases.

Cyber hygiene for non technical teams

Physical and digital security meet at the front door and at the front desk. Good habits protect both. Train staff to spot phishing emails, avoid suspicious links, and verify strange requests. Use unique passwords, a password manager, and multi factor authentication for email, finance tools, and any app that controls doors or cameras. Keep point of sale devices on a separate network from guest Wi Fi. Update firmware on keypads, readers, and routers as part of routine maintenance.

Train the team with short, regular sessions

• Ten minute refreshers during shift change. One topic per session like key control, visitor etiquette, or closing checks.
• Simple scripts for pressure situations. Staff learn calm phrases that slow things down and call a manager.
• Hands on practice for alarms and keypads. Replace batteries, add codes, and test back up entry methods.
• Clear authority lines. Everyone should know who approves rekey, who holds the safe combination, and who calls for after hours help.

Vendor and contractor coordination

A clean vendor plan reduces confusion and risk. Use a vendor code or time bound key. Capture a photo of the completed work and confirm lock status before the contractor leaves. Require that exterior doors remain secured between trips. For larger projects, schedule a quick site walk with your locksmith and general contractor so door hardware, readers, and closures align before installation.

Emergency planning and incident response

1. Create an emergency contact sheet with police, fire, landlord or property manager, alarm and camera support, and your locksmith. Keep copies at the register, manager station, and in digital form.
2. Define roles for who calls, who guides customers, and who checks doors during an incident.
3. Practice simple drills twice a year. Staff learn the path to exits, where flashlights live, and how to secure the building.
4. Document what happened after an event. Photos and short notes help with repairs, insurance, and process updates.
5. Follow up with small improvements. Tighten a policy, adjust a closer, or add lighting where confusion occurred.

Seasonal tune ups that prevent downtime

• Quarterly checks for latch alignment, strike tightness, and closer speed that matches temperature swings.
• Battery schedules for keypads, readers, and door sensors with labels inside covers. Replace as a set for consistency.
• Fastener audits on exit devices, pulls, and handles where vibration is common like docks and busy corridors.
• Weatherstripping and thresholds adjusted so doors close quietly and seal well without fighting the latch.

Policy basics in clear language

Good policies are short, visible, and practical. Write them for real people. Use bullet points and keep everything to one page per topic. Your staff should be able to read a policy at the register and follow it immediately. Examples include how to handle a found key, who can copy a key, what to do if a keypad battery is low, and how to accept deliveries without propping doors.

Audit your security in one hour

Common pitfalls that weaken security

• Propping exterior doors for convenience during deliveries or smoke breaks.
• Relying on a single universal vendor code all season. Rotate and remove codes after jobs end.
• Letting key charts drift out of date. Unknown keys and copies are silent risks.
• Ignoring latch drag or misalignment. Doors that need a lift to lock will fail under stress.
• Skipping battery schedules. Dying keypad batteries create avoidable lockouts and emergency calls.

When to call a pro

Bring in a locksmith for rekey and master planning, exit device service, reader compatible trim, safe work, and investigations of stubborn doors. Ask for a short written summary with door labels and parts used. For networking and cameras, coordinate your locksmith and integrator so mechanical hardware and electronics support each other. The result is a clean, documented system your team can run without guesswork.

Your 30 day security improvement plan

1. Update the key chart and remove old vendor codes.
2. Walk entries after hours and adjust closers and strikes for quiet, confident latching.
3. Rekey or replace any cylinder tied to unaccounted keys.
4. Post one page opening, closing, and delivery procedures.
5. Schedule a short team training and a vendor site walk for problem doors.
6. Label keypad battery compartments with the install date and add replacements to a monthly checklist.
7. Improve lighting at the darkest approach or lot area. A single fixture often transforms confidence and visibility.

Security is not about fear. It is about predictable, low friction routines and hardware that works every time. Start with sturdy doors and clear key control. Add lighting and visibility. Train the team with short, regular sessions. Keep small logs and adjust quickly when something feels off. With a sensible plan and a good partner, your business will feel calm, confident, and ready for whatever the day brings.