RETAIL
Alarm Response Risk Reduction
Secure Key Management for Retail Alarm Response
Rapid alarm response is key in retail to prevent damage from vandalism or loss following a burglary. However, there are often discrepancies between alarm response and loss aversion policies, and their physical execution.
Key, or rather keyholder, availability during out-of-hours incidents can significantly delay the response times. Let’s look at two common alarm response and keyholding scenarios deployed in retail by both small independent shops and national retailers with hundreds of branches.
Traditional keyholding and alarm response scenarios
Alarm response by security services provider
When there are hundreds of retail locations to manage, many retailers opt to outsource alarm response and keyholding functions to an established security services provider. This may seem logical and rational. However, while alarm response is typically tied to a central Security Operations Centre (SOC), the keyholding function is often outsourced further to small local service providers.
As keys are passed further down the line, control becomes fragmented, reporting becomes layered and confusing, and up to a fifth of keys are generally lost by the end of the contract.
Furthermore, in traditional keyholding models, keys are stored in lockers within a specific patrol vehicle, meaning only that patrol can respond to an alarm because they hold the keys. This can slow response times, especially if the assigned patrol is far away or attending another callout.
Alarm response by store colleagues
In some instances, even national retailers decide to rely on store colleagues, often Store Managers, to respond to security alarms, even during unsociable hours. The reasoning may vary: financial considerations, as this approach is often cheaper and avoids keyholding and alarm response costs altogether, or the assumption that most alarms are false and simply require a check and reset.
The most important consideration is the safeguarding of store colleagues. When alarms are triggered for a valid reason, such as an intrusion, the responder may be exposed to risk and potential harm.
In addition, the work-life balance of managers responsible for alarm response can be compromised, which may negatively affect job satisfaction and staff retention.
Retail keyholding done differently
SentriGuard, the smart keyholding solution, is designed to help retailers overcome keyholding challenges. Here is how it works:
KEYS ARE STORE SECURELY AT THE POINT OF NEED
SentriGuard includes a commercial grade, certified and attack tested key vault that is installed on site for quick access to keys.
NO MORE KEYHOLDING FEES. ONLY PAY FOR A CALLOUT
Eliminate ongoing keyholding and lock-unlock visit charges. Reduce fixed costs and only pay for security patrol callouts when required.
QUICKER
ALARM RESPONSE
With keys stored at the point of entry, there is no need to wait for a keyholding patrol. The nearest responder can attend the site quicker and check the store for intruders. SentriGuard helps mitigate the risk of damage caused by delayed response.
COMPLETE AUDIT TRAIL OF ALL VISITS
All access is named and timestamped. View which assigned individual or patrol attended the site and when. Receive notifications if keys are not returned to the vault after the visit.
Is it time to transform your keyholding operations?
Learn more about the SentriGuard key management solution and why it's chosen by various blue-chip companies in Security, Retail, Banking, FM and other sectors.
BENEFITS FOR RETAIL ALARM RESPONSE
1.
IMPROVING RESPONSE CONFIDENCE
- Clear accountability and transparency
- Reduced alarm response times
- Access data available as evidence for post-incident review
2.
REDUCING KEYHOLDING COSTS
- No more fees paid for keys stored off-site
- Faster alarm response = less damage by intruders
- Minimising operational disruption
3.
SUPPORTING RETAIL SECURITY TEAMS
- Data visibility for reporting
- Central oversight without micromanagement
- Consistency across regions
KEYHOLDING IN RETAIL
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AFTER-HOURS ACCESS
IN RETAIL
ALARM RESPONSE
IN RETAIL
RETAIL KEYHOLDING
COSTS
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Send us an email: support@keyneticsltd.co.uk
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Keynetics Ltd, Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, Malvern, WR14 3SZ
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