American businesses lose billions of dollars each year as a result of crime. Small operations are especially likely to be victims, losing at least 20 times more money than do large corporations. In fact, shoplifting, robbery and burglary put such a disproportionate strain on small firms that many disintegrate as a result. Business owners can even be held liable for crimes against people that are committed on their property, meaning their livelihood can be threatened by random acts of violence as well.

Employees of a sportswear manufacturing facility in Los Angeles were devastated when a man came in during working hours and murdered two of their coworkers before killing himself. The company's owner was shocked to learn that he could be held financially responsible for the trauma his staff experienced because access to the work area was not controlled effectively.

However, if the sportswear manufacturer had been able to prove to a judge that he had taken precautions - even minimal ones - to safeguard his building and his employees, he would have been absolved of liability.

No matter what kind of venture you own, you have assets and employees that require protection. Many entrepreneurs fail to realize the amount of damage crime can cause. They are also unaware that the most important security measures are inexpensive and simple to implement. As a business owner, you need to step back occasionally and conduct a security review, keeping in mind the three Ds of crime prevention: deter, delay and detect.

Deterring criminals is the key to making sure your business is not an easy target. Simple and inexpensive measures such as replacing old locks, hiding expensive equipment from passers-by, and putting bars on windows can cause would-be criminals to seek more vulnerable prey. Anything that tells potential thieves you have paid attention to the security of your building can be an effective deterrent.

Delaying a crime, or preventing quick access to valuable merchandise or equipment, is the second crucial step in protecting your business. The owner of a California office supply store learned the importance of delaying criminals after experiencing repeated burglaries, each of which resulted in losses of almost $10,000 in merchandise. Although the store had a locked accordion gate behind glass entrance doors, the gate was secured with a cheap lock. A sturdier, slightly more expensive lock could have occupied the burglars long enough for the police to reach the scene after the alarm was activated.

The last of the three Ds, detection, is accomplished by more complex technology like alarms or surveillance equipment. However, these products - such as window glass bugs or motion detectors - can actually give a false sense of security. For experienced criminals know that alarm companies and police communications centers must go through a number of steps before reaching the location of a break-in. This gives them ample opportunity to escape with valuable equipment or merchandise. For this reason, law enforcement officials maintain that alarms and surveillance should only be used as back-up security devices.

Although detection is generally not effective at preventing a crime, it can decrease the amount of time a burglar has inside the building and is therefore an important component of building security. However, don't spend disproportionate amounts of money on high-tech equipment. Focus instead on inexpensive, low-tech tools for deterring or delaying criminals.

After you install new security precautions, the job is not finished until you have also made adjustments to your daily operations and employee training. "Not enough people are looking at the big picture," asserts Michael Harding, a Southern California law enforcement officer. "Your physical security will not be effective without operational security and good employee training. The three are tied together."

In the case of the Los Angeles fast-food franchise that was robbed at gunpoint, Harding found simple solutions to the many security problems existing there. The restaurant's back door and a storage room door were left unlocked during business hours, for example, and employees tended to leave them wide open for the sake of fast movement between areas of the building. "All I had to do was tell them to close and lock their doors," says Harding. "It sounds obvious, but it could really save a lot of worry."

With careful thought, you can probably identify most of your own security weaknesses. First, determine exactly what requires protection in your office, store or factory. Use common sense. For instance, don't spend a lot of money on alarms and access control for a storage area that only houses basic supplies such as boxes or business forms. For areas such as this, good locks should be sufficient. In addition, step back and look realistically at your neighborhood and personnel. Don't go overboard by surrounding your building with Dobermans, or conversely, take unnecessary risks with valuable resources by depending only on trust for security.

Also evaluate how well your existing security arrangements address likely threats to your business. Be sure to go over every detail from the types of locks you install and your system of key distribution to employee identification and after-hours use of the facility. Even simple things like lighting can be extremely important.

If you are uncertain about the vulnerable points in your building and how to protect them, consider calling in a security professional to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your premises and daily operations.

The best analysis will only be possible after the consultant observes typical personnel activity and thoroughly examines the various access points at all sides of the building and on the roof. Ask for a complete report of the evaluations and recommendations after the professional has explained them to you in a face-to-face consultation.

Keep in mind as you look for a consultant that the person you hire may have a product to sell other than knowledge about security. Although the professional often provides excellent advice, use common sense about any product recommendations the consultant makes.

Officer Harding recommends consultants who are currently in law enforcement because they have the greatest expertise in crime prevention and nothing to sell but the most up-to-date information. Just as fashion and food trends change with the times, so do crimes. "We get to interview the bad guys when we arrest them for a break-in," Harding says, "so we know all their latest secrets."

Access Control Keypads Offer More Than Security

Aside from carefully controlling traffic through your premises, access control keypads and card readers provide many benefits that will save you money and worry in the long run.

To keep track of who goes in and out of the various doors in their four buildings, Insignia Commercial Group in Austin, Texas has used access control keypads for years. Michael Osborne, chief engineer, says he utilizes the system for much more than security purposes, however. "We've got the access system tied into energy control too," he says. "That way, only designated people can turn on the air conditioning and lights after hours by using their codes."

The system, designed by Hirsch Electronics in Irvine, California, has appeared in films like Jurassic Park. "The keypads have a high-tech look that many business owners really like. Employees feel safer, and visitors know they're dealing with the latest in security," reports Rob Zivney of Hirsch Electronics. Osborne agrees that appearance is one of the added benefits of electronic access control.

Just as with other building security measures, access control systems require thorough user training to work well. Osborne says all the companies located in Insignia's buildings have a tenant manual that describes exactly how to operate the system. As he explains, "The manual reminds people not to let anyone in behind them as they enter, for example, and never to punch in a code while someone is watching."

Alarms: The Reality of Response Time

When looking around the inside of your building, do you see valuable equipment or merchandise that a thief could collect in five minutes or less? Then maybe your alarm system just isn't enough. Consider the steps and time involved between the alarm being triggered and the arrival of a police officer at your site.

1. The alarm goes off when someone breaks in or trespasses.

2. The security company must identify the location of the alarm.

3. The security company calls the location to make sure the alarm was not set off accidentally by someone authorized with a special code.

4. The security company contacts the local sheriff or other police communication center.

5. The police enter the location into a computer and look for an on-duty officer in the area.

6. The police communication center sends an officer to the location.

7. The officer arrives on the scene of the break-in, often five minutes or more after the alarm originally sounded.

Controlling Access to Your Building is a Key Issue

Whether a business operates out of a factory, garage, store or office suite, good key control can protect the people, property and information inside.

The little words "Do Not Duplicate" on all of your office keys sound like good insurance against unauthorized entry. Unfortunately, they mean almost nothing in most cases, says Alan Stelzer of Antrim's Security Co. in Pasadena, California. Stelzer strongly recommends keys that can only be duplicated by the manufacturers or their agents when you present a registration card and positive identification. All of the copies should then be listed by their consecutive serial numbers and the employees who use them.

One of the best features of the latest locks is that they can be installed into existing door hardware. A locksmith inserts or removes a columnar unit rather than installing expensive new materials. "This system, including a master key which only you use to unlock all of the doors, is a must for security, especially since it requires little time and investment," says Stelzer.

What about Guard Dogs?

In today's high-tech world, a decidedly low-tech solution can still be effective. For many types of businesses like automobile dealerships, construction sites or warehouses, guard dogs can be an excellent crime deterrent.

Unlike security systems or alarms, guard dogs can cover large outdoor areas, and they continue to work during a power outage. Unlike a human guard, a well-trained dog stays alert throughout the night, and a dog's heightened senses of smell and hearing can detect intruders long before humans can. Dogs are also the least expensive guards, costing about $500 a month for full service.

At the minimum, a good guard dog service should provide nightly delivery and pick-up, in which case you and your employees do not have to come into actual contact with the animal. Your guard dog service must also must carry liability insurance, which protects you from responsibility for injuries the dog might inflict on passers-by or trespassers.

If you are thinking about using a guard dog to protect your premises, consider several issues. First, a good guard dog is an effective deterrent, but should only be used for that purpose. "If people want to steal, they're going to steal," claims J.R. Ewing of Century Dogs in Los Angeles, California.

The second thing to remember is that a determined criminal can find ways around almost any defense, including guard dogs. For example, mace, sedatives or other weapons can effectively disable even the most vigilant of animals. However, the presence of a guard dog does make your business far less appealing to would-be thieves who might decide to move on to more poorly protected premises.

To thoroughly safeguard your business, combine guard dog service - if appropriate - with other measures like good fences, locks and an alarm system.

How Good Is Your Building Security?

The following is a simplified list of building features a security consultant would examine. Assess whether your security provisions are good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory or nonexistent. Fixing a few simple problems can go a long way in preventing crime.

1. Perimeter

Lighting: Do you have lights at all entrances? Are they protected from vandals and thieves?

Fences / Walls: Is it possible to get over or under them? What are they made of? Are they in good condition?

Gates: Are any left unsecured? Are they in good condition?

Storage Yard: Do you have materials next to the fence or entrance? Are the materials hidden from passers-by?

Parking Lots: Is employee parking separate from parking for the general public? How close to the building is it? Is there enough lighting?

Address Numbers: Are they legible and visible from the street?

Pedestrian / Vehicle Access: How well is it monitored? Is it in front of the building?

2. Doors

Can they be pried open? Are they solid in construction? Do they have reliable dead bolts? What kind of strike plates do they have? Are your closing procedures listed and uniform?

3. Windows

Are they secured with screw locks, pins or sturdy cranks? Are louvers glued shut or otherwise secured? Are there drapes or blinds that prevent would-be thieves from seeing inside your property?

4. Roof

Are all skylights, vents and hatchways secured or covered? Do trees, drain pipes or walls allow easy access to the roof?

5. Interior

Lighting: Do you have lights on after hours? Is there an emergency back-up system?

Valuables: Are they out of view of any passers-by?

Storage / Offices / Saferoom: Are they secured with high-quality locks? Are there phones in each room to allow emergency calls?

6. Special Areas

Loading Docks: Are they well-marked and secure?

Employee Training: Have your employees been trained in crime awareness and prevention?

Key Control: Do you have a foolproof system to keep track of key distribution? Do you know many copies have been made?

Trash Areas: Are your trash bins enclosed and locked?

7. Security Systems

Alarm System: Is it monitored? Does it include a panic device? Do you have prominent signs announcing its presence?

Closed-Circuit TV: How is it monitored? Is there a time delay?

Guards: What kind of training do they have? Are they bonded? How thorough a background check have you conducted on them?

Guard Dogs: How many do you have? During what hours are they present? Have you posted warnings prominently? Are you aware of your liability in case of attack?

If you are unable to answer many of these questions, a professional security consultation is in order. Remember that by investing a few hundred dollars now, you may be saving thousands of dollars in the long term.