Industrial Outdoor Storage Security: How to Protect High-Value Assets without Permanent Infrastructure

The outskirts of small cities in eastern Idaho aren’t exactly known for their high crime rates. Which is probably why one customer felt comfortable leaving his brand-new truck parked just outside the fenced storage yard of an agriculture irrigation business. 

Just one night. For one $90,000 truck. Unlocked. With the keys inside.

You can probably guess how the story ended. But in case your imagination didn’t fill in the gaps, suffice it to say that there was no truck waiting when his wife came to pick it up early the next morning. Law enforcement did find it a couple months later in California—or, at least, what was left of it. 

It’s easy to hear that story and think of all the things that the now truck-less owner could have done differently. But from his point of view, taking the easy, unsecured route made sense—until it didn’t. 

It isn’t so different for industrial outdoor storage (IOS) security. It can be incredibly tempting to make things easier on ourselves by ignoring security risks and plowing ahead with what is most convenient. Skipping security measures seems to save time, money, and hassle. Until something actually does happen and suddenly that time, money, and hassle you thought you were saving compounds in a very painful way. 

IOS security has its own set of challenges, but, as with any job, using the right tools significantly simplifies the task. 

The Industrial Outdoor Storage Security Challenge 

Industrial outdoor storage, which is classified as open-air spaces storing equipment, materials, and/or vehicles, faces many of the same challenges that plague parking lots—but magnified on a much costlier scale. 

These challenges include:

No Infrastructure

Infrastructure is a requirement for traditional security systems. These systems need places available to mount cameras and a way to connect to the power grid. While some IOS locations have some infrastructure already in place, many (including temporary sites) do not.

Flexibility Needs

Part of both the appeal and the challenge of these outdoor spaces is the ever-changing nature of what is stored there. Materials constantly come and go. Trucks move. Inventory shifts. Layout needs change. 

The open outdoor space gives the flexibility for that, but it makes installing security measures that much harder—since what you need today might look drastically different from what you’ll need in a month from now. This is especially true of the temporary storage sites that accompany projects that have equipment in the six-figure range.

Expensive, Mobile Equipment

While trucks full of goods and skid steers worth tens of thousands of dollars are big and heavy, they’re designed to be easy to move. This is great news for those who need to move them for jobsites. Unfortunately, this is also great news for the criminals who want to steal them for the high resale value. (Recovery rates are exceptionally low in this type of situation.)

No Walls

While IOS saves a bundle on construction costs and allows for as much flexibility as needed, the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” applies all too well: IOS sites have all of their expensive materials out in the open, leaving nothing to the imagination when it comes to how much materials and equipment are worth. A warehouse might be empty or full of expensive items—with no simple way for prospective thieves to know. IOS keeps all its assets on display at all times, for better or for worse.

Mobile Security Solutions for Industrial Outdoor Storage

Solving the industrial outdoor storage security challenge requires using as much flexibility as the yards themselves need. 

Mobile surveillance, monitoring, lighting, and more combine to create comprehensive security coverage for open, changing spaces.

Mobile Surveillance

Outdoor security cameras offer a great layer of defense, but the infrastructure limitations of traditional surveillance cameras make them impractical for most IOS applications.

Mobile security units, on the other hand, were literally designed for these types of situations. 

Featuring solar panels and tall camera mounts, these self-contained outdoor cameras can be deployed quickly and repositioned as needs shift. Set up on wheels, LVT’s mobile security units can even be moved from jobsite to jobsite to ensure full-time coverage for temporary sites.

Advanced Monitoring Capabilities

While reliable security cameras are important, it’s the advanced monitoring capabilities that really change the game. AI-enhanced systems can differentiate between normal and abnormal behaviors, significantly improving alert accuracy so attention can go where it’s actually needed. These enhancements speed reaction times, giving you more of a chance to shut down problems before they escalate.

Features like license plate recognition (LPR) and AI forensic search bolster both preventative and recovery-oriented efforts, allowing security team members the chance to put critical information together before it’s too late.

Targeted Deterrence

Deterrence is one of the most important security goals. (The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is 100% applicable here.)

There’s little doubt that human security guards are one of the most effective deterrents available, but their limitations and costs make them an unrealistic tool for most businesses with IOS needs. But guards aren’t the only option.

LVT’s mobile security units offer targeted deterrence including:

• Built-in spotlights that actively target suspects
• Custom talk down warnings that are specific to behaviors and can verbally identify people by their clothing

Specific, targeted lights and messages tell would-be wrongdoers that they aren’t just triggering an unmonitored motion-sensitive floodlight; they’re actively being seen, which is something no criminal wants.

Interested in improving your industrial outdoor storage security? Contact LVT for a demo today!