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Over the years, we’ve heard some pretty bad advice when it comes to keeping your business secure. As smaller businesses and office buildings have become increasingly attractive targets for break-ins, it’s even more important than ever to be sure that you’re taking steps to ensure the security of your business. Here are a few bad ideas that you might have heard.

1. “If you want to scare criminals off, a fake security camera or alarm will do the trick just fine.”

This advice isn’t always untrue. An authentic-looking fake security camera will make an intruder think twice. However, a fake security camera needs to be very convincing; many thieves can tell the difference between a real CCTV security camera and a false one. Also, sometimes thieves will break into your business regardless of whether you have a CCTV system in place or not. If this happens, wouldn’t you rather have a CCTV camera that could help identify the intruder, than one that does nothing? With good luck,you might get by with a fake security camera; however, when it comes to your business, your livelihood, it’s better to make sure you’re prepared for every eventuality. After all, it only takes one break-in to ruin you.

2. “Regular keys provide all the security you need–anything else is just a fancy rip-off!”

It is true that regular keys can often provide enough security; however, this isn’t always the case, especially if your business has sensitive information or high-value goods. In cases like these, high security keys or card access control systems can provide you with the extra security you need. High security locks are designed to be much harder to pick than regular locks, and the original seller is the only one who’s authorized to make copies. This way, you won’t have anyone sneaking off to make duplicates of keys that can be used for nefarious purposes. Card access control systems offer a different kind of security: you can track who has accessed certain areas, and when they have accessed them.

3. “A sturdy, locked door is enough to keep important documents safe.”

We agree with you! Well, not entirely. Sturdy doors and locks are our specialty, and we wouldn’t be working with them if they weren’t effective. But relying on just a locked door to protect your documents isn’t the best idea. Important documents–including sensitive information–can be stolen or destroyed without a break-in. Employees and cleaning staff might find themselves in your office, and unsecured papers could disappear with one of them. Or, your building could catch fire, and important documents could be destroyed. Don’t take a chance–instead, install a commercial safe to hold all the documents that you need to keep your livelihood intact.

4. “Nothing bad is going to happen to your business–you don’t need to take any extra steps to protect it.”

OK, we haven’t actually heard anyone give this advice, but people seem to heed it nonetheless. Many of the losses suffered by business owners are preventable–a simple security feature could have deterred a thief, but that feature wasn’t in place, or wasn’t used correctly (stores have been successfully shoplifted because employees have left an alarmed emergency exit propped open). We know that you don’t want to think anything bad could happen to you, but please plan for it anyway. Take the extra step to make sure your business is secure; it’s worth the investment.