While your storefront is a vital point when it comes to the appearance, safety and security of your business, so, too, are those overhead access doors on the back of your building. Why?

Shoplifters come in your front door, but burglars use your back overhead garage door. In fact, if they can access your back garage door, they can back up a truck and empty out way more than a daylight shoplifter ever could. That’s where the real liability lies. Since your overhead garage door is the biggest door in your business, security is critical. Safeguarding your facility’s overhead garage door helps to safeguard your business.

While your business’s biggest access point is your overhead garage door, and it’s also likely the weak spot in your facility’s security. If the overhead doors on your loading dock are only locked with padlocks, it’s not exactly difficult for someone to break in. And once that huge overhead door is open, they’ll have full access to your building. That’s why garage door security is so important to a professional business. 

Maintaining your overhead garage doors is critical, but you should also use additional security methods to help your overhead doors out. Here are 5 ways to ensure your commercial garage door is working and secure so that your property is protected:

1. Add Security Cameras that Overlook Each Overhead Garage Door

Security cameras do 2 things: They deter thieves and, if thieves should strike, they provide evidence so you can enforce charges and hold them accountable. Even the presence of a camera can keep a burglar moving down the block onto easier and lower-hanging fruit. Always display signs warning about cameras. Install them in prominent places where people can see them before even trespassing on your property. This is a great way to deter thieves. They won’t even attempt your overhead garage door if the risk is too great.

The good news is that the cost of security cameras has really come down recently. Most modern security cameras work on wi-fi and can be controlled and monitored remotely from your phone. You can have a continually-running data feed you can back up to a micro SD. You or the police can also access the view remotely if an alarm gets tripped. The great thing about these little wi-fi security cameras is that you can create an a-la-carte kind of security system that’s perfectly-tailored to your facility’s needs.

2. Have Your Overhead Garage Door Inspected by a Pro Regularly

One of the simplest ways you can improve the security of a commercial overhead door is to have a professional technician take a look at it. They will be able to spot any structural issues. This is a good idea to do at least once a year, even if the door seems fine. Add it to your facility’s regular maintenance schedule.

Garage door maintenance is often overlooked in any field, residential or commercial. But regular, quality garage door maintenance performed by an experienced exterior door installer can (1) save you money in garage door repair costs by finding problems early, and (2) ensure your overhead door is functioning correctly, which means it’s providing the security it’s supposed to.

3. Keep the Area Around Your Overhead Garage Doors Well-Lit

Burglars are like cockroaches; they hate light. Invest in quality outdoor lighting all around your overhead door and any other back entrances. Use motion-sensing lights to save on your electricity bill. LED lights throw a good range of light around, making sure even the darker corners of your building exterior or loading dock are completely covered.

4. Add a Padlock to Each Garage Door

While padlocks shouldn’t be your first or only line of defense against burglars, they’re not useless. If nobody needs to access your business at night, a simple padlock — the bigger the better — can do wonders. Padlocks are by no means invincible, but paired with these other security measures, they definitely don’t hurt.

5. Invest in Installing Keyless Entry on Your Overhead Doors

If you need to allow employee access, consider installing a keyless entry that has a rolling code that changes periodically. This helps keep your business secure from disgruntled employees or anybody else who might learn the code. Switching the access points at your business to remote operation and monitoring isn’t just great for security; it streamlines access, reduces touch contamination, and offers a comprehensive record of who accessed the overhead door and when.

Beefing up Security at Your Business is Worth the Investment

Think about what all that inventory inside is worth. Anything you spend on security is well worth the investment. Enhanced security features can also reduce your insurance premiums. Talk to your insurance company. The savings alone might pay for itself in a few months. And when it comes to keeping your property and inventory secure and your employees safe? That’s absolutely priceless.