Blog

Can a Security System Save My Business Money?

August 6, 2024|fsstechnologies

If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of weighing the pros and cons of major purchases before making them. A commercial security system is one of the higher-ticket items that can cause the most significant hesitation. While they can take large investments to purchase, install, and maintain, security systems can offer long-term savings from various sources. Learn how your company can benefit from commercial security system savings and what to include in your set-up.

4 possible savings from a security system

Paying for any business insurance policy can be an expensive headache, especially if you have multiple plans to cover employees, your building, and other parts. Insurance companies often set their rates based on their perceived level of risk for different policyholders. These costs frequently compound when considering insurance for workers’ compensation, professional liability, and other areas. Fortunately, a security system can help reduce your premium, as long as it meets your provider’s expectations, because it helps reduce potential risks. If you follow your provider’s guidelines for qualified systems, you could receive a discount based on how well you protect your business from potential crimes.

Besides receiving insurance premium discounts, your business can potentially save even more money through tax deductions. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally considers expenses related to the maintenance and improvement of your company as spending that’s eligible for tax deductions. Commercial security systems are direct investments in protecting businesses, employees, and customers from harm, so any security and safety costs could count as deductible purchases. The IRS does differentiate, however, that excessive or unnecessary security purchases may not qualify.

Potentially deductible expenses related to a security system can include:

  • Equipment purchases
  • Installation fees
  • Maintenance expenses
  • Monitoring costs
  • Upgrades or repairs

Criminals who commit burglaries, vandalism, and other crimes seek options with the highest levels of opportunity. While overgrown landscaping and other factors can make your business seem like a prime target, the most significant aspect that can make you more susceptible is the absence of a security system. Whether you’re more concerned about suffering losses due to break-ins or petty shoplifting, installing a comprehensive system can help you avoid the costs of poor security by deterring potential criminals. If your business falls victim to a crime, evidence from your security system can help you recover what’s lost and avoid expensive, drawn-out cases by pursuing criminal or civil damages in court.

One less obvious saving a business can get from a security system is protection against various liabilities. Accidents and incidents can happen on your premises, even if you follow your industry’s safety protocols. In any case, issues can lead employees or customers to file lawsuits against your company. Unfortunately, people even pursue fraudulent lawsuits by falsifying an accident and seeking compensation. With a security system that includes surveillance cameras and access control, you can monitor and record activities that occur within your property. This footage can serve as crucial evidence in disputes, helping protect your business from false claims and expensive legal fees.

What should I include in my security system?

While there are endless possibilities for what you could include in a security system for your business, effective security systems often share several components in common across business industries and scales. Besides a standard alarm system, these four elements can play a crucial role in helping your business save money in preventative and active ways.

Regulating who can enter your business, whether it’s open or closed, is essential to protecting your business assets and customer information. Access control systems from companies like Avigilon Alta use keycards, biometric scanners, electronic locks, and more to ensure that only authorized personnel can access certain rooms. By restricting access to sensitive areas around the clock, you can deter unauthorized entry and protect valuable assets and information. Additionally, access control systems provide detailed entry and exit records, helping you monitor and manage employee movements directly or indirectly related to security concerns.

A crucial security system element that can help safeguard your property is cameras. With strategically placed CCTV cameras, you have the power to monitor activities in real time and capture footage for future reference. The visible presence of security cameras acts as a strong deterrent, significantly lowering the risk of theft and vandalism. If an incident genuinely or allegedly occurs, the recorded footage can serve as invaluable evidence, expediting investigations and aiding in the swift recovery of any losses. Security cameras are a proactive measure that can protect your property and peace of mind.

Different types of security cameras include:

  • Dome
  • Bullet
  • Turret
  • 360 fisheye
  • Doorbell
  • Bookshelf
  • Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ)

Motion detectors are a crucial security feature that can significantly improve your company’s protection. These devices can detect unauthorized movement, providing an additional layer of security, especially during non-business hours. When triggered, they activate your alarm system and allow for quick intervention to prevent further damage. Motion sensors can effectively deter more serious break-ins and reduce property damage by promptly identifying and deterring suspicious activity. Plus, they’re a budget-friendly solution compared to other system elements, offering more consistent peace of mind and reinforcing your security measures at a reasonable cost.

While a decked-out system can help you avoid paying the price for bad security, it’s only effective if someone’s watching it 24/7. Partnering with a professional monitoring service ensures constant surveillance of your property. Monitoring services can provide real-time alerts and verify security breaches, giving you peace of mind that your business is always protected. These services often include emergency dispatch, ensuring that law enforcement or security personnel are promptly notified in case of an incident. Remote monitoring capabilities also allow you to keep an eye on your business from anywhere, enhancing your overall security and operational efficiency.

Whether your company needs a basic commercial security system installed or updated, the team at FSS Technologies is here to help you find the most cost-effective solution. Our customers can rest easily knowing their business is in safe hands, from our thorough security assessments to efficient system installations. Once your system is installed, our expert service technicians will help you learn and follow proper maintenance protocols to ensure your system protects your business from security failures and costs. Contact us today to get started.

Explore Our Other Blogs

workplace-fire-procedures-hero-min

Fire Safety Procedures for the Workplace

The bad news—a fire breaks out in your workplace. The good news—you are ready because you have done your homework and prepared for the possibility of an emergency. Emergency Action Plan The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most employers to have an emergency action plan for various scenarios, including fires in the workplace.   There…

Continue reading
2019-12_FSSTechnologies_blogs_simplisafe-review_hero-min

The Only SimpliSafe Review You Need to Read

What is SimpliSafe? SimpliSafe is one of several do-it-yourself home security systems on the market. The challenge with any DIY home security system, in our opinion, comes down to the customer experience. SimpliSafe’s customer support offers minimal assistance to ensure you adequately install and troubleshoot your system. While they do provide an 800-telephone number, the…

Continue reading
Hero-inspection-min

What Matters in a Fire Alarm Inspection?

At FSS Technologies, we understand that safety and reliability are paramount when it comes to fire alarm systems. While installing commercial fire safety systems is a critical first step in protecting your business, your efforts can’t stop there. Fire alarm inspections are just as necessary to ensure your building is prepared for emergencies. Learn about what…

Continue reading
safe-during-holidays-Hero-min

Holiday Security Tips

It’s a beautiful time of the year, but the holidays come with some inherent risks that you should prepare for amidst all the gift buying, cooking, and decorating. Here are some of our top holiday safety tips to keep your home and loved ones safe over the season. Theft and Burglary Prevention Do not put…

Continue reading
diy-system-fail-hero

5 Ways Your DIY Security System is Failing You

In the digital age, DIY projects are the rage in all things, including home security. People turn to DIY home security because it seems easy and can save you a few bucks. Unfortunately, you really do get what you pay for if you choose a DIY security system.  Whether you are a homeowner, a business owner, or…

Continue reading
camera-placement-business-hero-min

Where Should Security Cameras Be Installed in a Business?

Security camera placement in a business needs to be strategically decided based on several important factors. Areas that store valuables, have high foot traffic, and enable access to your building should be some of the essential locations. Learn more about what kinds of security cameras you can use and where they should be installed in…

Continue reading
2020-02_FSSTechnologies_blogs_alarm-monitoring_hero

How Does Fire Alarm Monitoring Work?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is a fire reported in the United States every 23 seconds. If a fire occurs in your home or business, you want to be notified right away. You might be asking yourself, so how does this work? How can I ensure I am protected at all…

Continue reading
Hero-codes

7 NFPA Codes Every Business Should Know

Business owners have an enormous responsibility to ensure their employees and customers are protected from fire hazards. Companies in industries like manufacturing and property management each face unique challenges in preventing fires and meeting code requirements. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the world’s leading experts in fire and life safety, has published…

Continue reading
Hero-security-min

Can a Security System Save My Business Money?

If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of weighing the pros and cons of major purchases before making them. A commercial security system is one of the higher-ticket items that can cause the most significant hesitation. While they can take large investments to purchase, install, and maintain, security systems can offer long-term savings…

Continue reading
Hero-min-(3)

Can Video Doorbells Be Used in Apartments?

It is at the discretion of your building manager as to whether you can use a video doorbell for your apartment. There usually are two concerns that arise when it comes to video doorbell usage in a rented property: installation concerns and privacy concerns. Issues with Video Doorbells Installation Concerns Many video doorbell systems require…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us