The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Building Security Systems

Commercial building security has come a long way when it comes to safeguarding your business. Where padlocked doors, fortified gates, and activated alarm systems were once the industry standard, today there are much more innovative and varied ways one can create a comprehensive security system.

This guide explains how commercial building security systems protect offices, retail centers and other commercial properties from burglary, vandalism and trespassing.

What Is a Commercial Building Security System?

A commercial building security system is the set of cameras, access control, alarms and monitoring that protects an office, retail or industrial building, its people and its property. The strongest systems work in layers:

• Perimeter and parking lot: cameras, lighting and deterrence that stop problems before anyone reaches the door.
• Entry points: access control on doors, lobbies, loading docks and garages.
• Interior: alarms and cameras on high-value rooms, stairwells and elevators.
• Monitoring and response: people or AI that act on alerts, 24/7.

Comparing vendors? Our guide to selecting the right commercial security system walks through the buying process.

Commercial Building Security: Reducing Risks and Losses

A University of North Carolina at Charlotte study of convicted burglars found that about 60 percent would look for another target if there was an alarm on-site. Furthermore, businesses without alarm systems are four times more likely to be targeted than businesses that have them.  

It’s no wonder why more companies are placing an emphasis on commercial building security and recognizing the value it brings. While there can be an upfront initial financial investment, many security experts tout the benefits as a worthwhile return on investment.

The benefits of commercial security systems include, but are not limited to: 

• Crime deterrence
• Employee and customer safety
• Asset protection
• Operational efficiency and adherence

4 Commercial Security Measures to Consider  

It’s more important than ever to take the appropriate measures to safeguard your business. The right commercial building security system depends on how the building is used, your budget, and where it is most vulnerable.

A risk assessment can be extremely useful in identifying specific challenges and weaknesses in security. After all, commercial offices in a skyscraper may have very different needs than a standalone brick-and-mortar store. Each building or lot comes with its own unique set of challenges that can be aided by the following security measures.

1. Video Surveillance

All businesses can benefit from some level of surveillance, whether in the form of guards or security cameras. While having personnel patrol your business is effective, it can be costly. Surveillance cameras are an attractive alternative or complementary option. High-definition video cameras can ensure that every angle of your lot is covered. Night vision and thermal imaging technology can ensure comprehensive surveillance even when visibility is less than ideal. 

Surveillance camera systems are adaptable in the sense that you can implement as many or as few cameras as you need rather easily. Not only are surveillance systems flexible, but they are also scalable; as your business grows, the number of business security cameras can grow right alongside it.

The security camera has evolved from the mounted stationary “eyes in the sky” of the past. Today’s models offer advanced features such as 360-degree views and pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) capabilities. The ability to control the camera views allows users to monitor and investigate situations in real-time, while quickly disregarding false alarms, which increases efficiency in time and cost.

Another benefit of camera surveillance systems is that many of them can be accessed remotely via any smart or mobile device with an internet connection. This eliminates geographic limitations for business owners, allowing them to monitor their operations from anywhere in the world at any time. Furthermore, by adding multiple authorized users to the camera surveillance system, businesses can ensure 24/7 monitoring and safeguarding of premises, employees, and clients.

2. Access Control System

Access control systems are the sentinels at the gate. They provide a way for businesses to keep track of and control who enters their premises. Access control can be achieved in person, such as through a security guard or receptionist, or electronically via a swipe card, fob, or even remote visual identification using security cameras. This not only fortifies the perimeter and entry points of commercial buildings, but the right solution can also provide an entry log of people who visit the facilities. 

Security can be further strengthened by adding multiple access control points, creating additional layers of verification. These points can be implemented between floors, in areas requiring heightened security, or in transitory spaces such as elevators and stairwells.

3. Commercial Alarm System

Commercial alarm systems are critical for alerting others to unauthorized access and deterring further unwanted behavior during a security breach. They can include audible alarms meant to attract attention and silent alerts that are transmitted to support teams.

Alarms can be set up and triggered based on specific actions or abnormal conditions, including: 

• Tampering or forced entry: Sensors on windows or doors can sense and alert others if damaged or opened without authorization.
• Environmental: Unusual conditions such as the detection of carbon monoxide, smoke, excessive changes in temperature, or high levels of water can trigger an alarm or emergency services.
• Motion detection: Movement in secure or high-value areas can set off alarms, alerting teams that the region has been infiltrated through intrusion detection.  

Alarm systems can even send immediate notifications to law enforcement or emergency services to ensure timely responses when something goes wrong. 

4. Integrated Monitoring Solutions

When considering a commercial building security system, understanding how that system integrates with other smart technologies can level up your business security. You want the various technologies to work seamlessly with each other, and by pairing multiple technologies, you can create even more powerful and robust security systems.  

The right features can turn passive surveillance cameras and alarm systems into active deterrents. When cameras and alarms detect suspicious activity, they can automatically trigger several actions to stop a would-be criminal: audible warnings, strobe lighting, and instant alerts to your team or a monitoring center that can escalate to police.

With artificial intelligence, analytics is increasingly playing a vital role in both data collection and crime prevention. Utilizing information from cameras, access points, motion detection sensors, as well as other innovations, data can help identify security vulnerabilities or traffic patterns, analyze operational efficiencies, and highlight suspicious behaviors. This helps ensure protocols are being followed, while also providing insights to inform security decisions and operational improvements.

Office Building Security: What Changes in Multi-Tenant Buildings

Office buildings add risks a standalone store does not have: many tenants, steady visitor traffic, shared parking, and long hours when the building is mostly empty. Office building security systems usually cover:

• Lobby and visitors: check-in that logs who enters and why.
• Floor and suite access: credentials that limit tenants to their own floors.
• Parking garages and lots: where staff walk alone early and late, and internal cameras rarely reach.
• After hours: alarms and video alerts routed to someone who can respond.

Commercial Property Security Beyond the Building Walls

Commercial property security does not stop at the front door. Parking lots, perimeters, and loading areas are often the least covered part of a property. The Philadelphia Phillies, for example, had strong coverage inside the ballpark but needed it in the parking lot, where internal cameras could not reach.

LVT closes those gaps with AI-enabled mobile, pole-mounted, and building-mounted units, and mobile units need no construction or wiring. LVT customers have seen a 43% drop in trespassing and a 15% decrease in property crime. See how LVT commercial property security solutions protect offices, parking, and real estate.

The LVT Advantage

As businesses look for innovative ways to fortify their commercial building security, attention is often focused on keeping bad actors out. However, prevention starts before criminals reach the front door. It begins at the perimeter.

That is where LVT fits. LVT® Units deploy as mobile units, pole mounts, building mounts or multi-camera Surround units, so one platform can cover a parking lot, a roofline and a loading dock.

LVT's Advanced Surveillance Technology

1. High-Definition Video Cameras: LVT’s portable units feature high-definition cameras that provide crystal-clear video footage, ensuring that every angle is covered. These cameras are often equipped with night vision capabilities, enabling round-the-clock monitoring regardless of lighting conditions. This feature is crucial for commercial spaces that operate outside of standard business hours, as it allows for continuous surveillance and enhanced security.
2. Motion Detection and Alerts: Equipped with sophisticated motion detection technology, these units can automatically detect any unusual movement within their field of view. Upon detection, the system triggers instant alerts to designated personnel or security teams via text message or email. This proactive approach ensures that a security team is notified immediately of potential threats, allowing for swift action to prevent incidents before they escalate.
3. Remote Monitoring and Control: LVT’s mobile security trailers include integrated remote monitoring capabilities, enabling security personnel to access live feeds and control the system from virtually anywhere. This feature is especially beneficial for businesses that need to oversee multiple locations or require management teams to remain informed while off-site. The ability to monitor activities in real time enhances situational awareness and response times.
4. Durable and Versatile Design: These portable units are built to withstand various environmental conditions, making them suitable for deployment in diverse settings, including outdoor construction sites and remote industrial facilities. Their rugged design ensures reliability and longevity, providing businesses with a dependable security solution that adapts to different operational needs.
5. Integrated Communication System: LVT's portable surveillance units often come with integrated two-way communication systems, allowing security personnel to communicate directly with individuals on-site. This feature enhances coordination during security incidents and can be crucial for de-escalating potential conflicts or verifying the presence of authorized personnel.
6. Cloud-Based Storage and Analytics: Every LVT Unit pairs with the LVT Platform, a cloud-based video management system (VMS) for live streams, archived footage and remote camera control.

Commercial Building Security FAQs

What is the best security system for a commercial building?

A layered one: perimeter and parking lot coverage, access control at every entry, interior alarms, and monitoring that responds around the clock. The right mix depends on the building's size, tenants and after-hours risk.

How much does a commercial building security system cost?

Cost depends on property size, the number of cameras and entry points, installation work and professional monitoring. Systems that skip construction and wiring cut installation cost. Contact LVT for a quote.

Ready to close the gaps around your building? Request a demo to see how LVT can secure your commercial property.