Comprehensive building security is not just about the structure itself; it also includes the property the structure sits on, the perimeter, and any potential threats that may come from beyond the perimeter of the property. For many larger structures, property and perimeter security includes parking lots or garages. Here are a few ways to improve parking lot security:

1. Conduct an initial vulnerability assessment.
2. Make sure you have sufficient lighting.
3. Use effective directional signs.
4. Install the right security cameras.
5. Manage parking access.
6. Install emergency alert stations.
7. Keep up with maintenance and regular vulnerability assessments.

1. Conduct an Initial Vulnerability Assessment

The right mix of security products and systems will vary depending on individual facility needs and operations. In order to create a comprehensive security solution, you need to be able to accurately identify existing and emerging security gaps and vulnerabilities and address them effectively. This includes environmental considerations for physical security assessments as well.

Using a building vulnerability assessment checklist and conducting an initial assessment ensures that no security gaps or vulnerabilities are left unaddressed. This includes a thorough assessment of the facility, property, parking lots or garages, and perimeter.

2. Make Sure You Have Sufficient Lighting

One of the most common ways to improve parking lot security is to make sure you have sufficient lighting. It seems like such a simple thing, but not having enough security or covering the basics, like having proper lighting, are common security mistakes businesses make.

Keeping things well-lit not only reduces the risk of accidents in your parking lot, but it can also act as a deterrent for bad actors. If it is difficult to hide or move under the radar, your parking lot becomes less convenient and becomes a less desirable target. This is a security concern for hotels with attached lots that applies to any facilities with parking areas.

This is also why getting the lighting right is one of the ways retail stores can improve security measures. You can also choose energy-efficient lighting options and implement a mix of motion-activated lighting and timers to best suit your needs.

3. Use Effective Directional Signs

Good parking lot security also includes overall risk reduction. Especially in large parking lots and parking garages, it’s important to have well-placed directional signs that are clear, easy to understand, and easy to see. In addition to keeping traffic flowing smoothly, good directional signs also help reduce the risk of accidents.

4. Install the Right Security Cameras

Similar to how sufficient lighting can act as a deterrent, visible cameras are proof of video surveillance and monitoring and also act as a deterrent. However, not all security cameras are equipped for outdoor conditions or low-light conditions that can come with parking lots or parking garages.

It’s important to have the right types of security cameras in the right places to effectively monitor and improve parking lot security. In addition to security cameras that are designed to capture clear footage in the environmental conditions of parking lots or garages, also consider what other capabilities those cameras should have.

Will you want to use geo-enabled analytics to monitor directional changes in a specific area or block out alerts for activity on a nearby highway? Do you want to be able to take advantage of license plate recognition or more advanced intelligent camera capabilities? What are the specific capabilities you want and reasons to use video surveillance for your business? These are things to consider as you determine the video surveillance solutions you need.

5. Manage Parking Access

Video surveillance is helpful, but you need more than security cameras to secure your property. If your parking lot is meant to be open and publicly accessible, there are limits to what you can do to manage parking access. In these cases, video surveillance and cameras equipped with license plate recognition, in case of any issues, tend to be a good solution.

On the other hand, if your parking garage or parking lot is meant to be secured or only accessed under certain conditions, it’s a good idea to implement some kind of access control and explore other perimeter protection technologies. Fences, gates, bollards, and more are common options for parking lots and garages.

Depending on how secure your parking lot or garage needs to be, it may even make sense to implement an additional access control system using cards, codes, etc. Many of these options can work with security gates that range from simple to complex in capabilities and function. Particularly for secure areas and high-security facilities, an advanced security gate access control system can be an essential component of a comprehensive access control solution.

6. Install Emergency Alert Stations

Emergency alert stations and panic buttons can help improve parking lot security. This is one of the campus security solutions for colleges & universities that transfers well to facilities with parking garages and parking lots they need to monitor and secure.

The visible presence of these stations can help reduce incidents, and they also help improve response times should an incident occur in your parking area. These can range from a simple panic button to a complete emergency alert station equipped with emergency phones and intercom systems to meet your parking lot security needs.

7. Keep Up With Maintenance and Regular Vulnerability Assessments

Comprehensive security is an ongoing process. In addition to managing and maintaining security systems that are already installed, it’s also important to proactively evaluate emerging systems and risks.

Security threats evolve and change, new risks and threats emerge, security technology evolves, etc. Proactively monitoring alerts and incidents to predict potential security threats and risks are some ways to use intelligent video analytics to improve business operations.

But, even this is just one resource and should be part of a larger proactive approach to security. All of these things mean that your facility security also needs to be regularly assessed to ensure it is still addressing all risks and vulnerabilities. This is why you shouldn’t skip vulnerability assessments.

Upgrade and Improve Your Security With NEPPS

Whether considered as part of a hospital security assessment or a security audit for another type of facility, it’s important to consider parking areas and to make sure security systems are effectively monitoring those areas. These are a few ways to improve parking lot security. In addition to basic security measures, the right mix of security products and systems can help you create a seamless security solution that provides comprehensive facility security. If you need to upgrade the security for your facility, contact NEPPS at 1-800-736-1456.