Security for Retail Stores: Doors and Access Control

Seven Strategies for Secure Retail Doors and Access Control

Assess Your Security Needs and Levels

Before choosing any equipment, business owners must first assess their specific retail security needs. This involves evaluating what you are protecting—from high-value merchandise to sensitive data—and the likelihood of threats like break-in attempts or vandalism. During this assessment process, it is crucial to identify potential threats that could impact your store, so you can proactively address them.

Based on this risk assessment, you can determine the appropriate security level for each entry point. A low-security door might suffice for a back office, while a high-security solution is necessary for a jewelry display or cash room.

Implement Cloud-Based Retail Store Security Systems

For modern retail environments, a cloud-based access control system offers the most flexibility and control. Unlike traditional systems that are tied to on-site hardware, cloud-based solutions can be managed remotely from a mobile device or any internet connected device. This is crucial for property managers and security managers who need to quickly add or revoke access for staff, delivery personnel, or seasonal workers. Cloud-based systems also provide a real-time log of every entry and exit, which is invaluable for improving accountability and investigating internal theft.

A powerful tool for this purpose is the LiftMaster Smart Access 2-Door Controller. This system provides cloud-based credentialed access control for up to two doors or gates. For a retail business owner, this means managing multiple entrances, such as the front door and the stockroom, from a single mobile app. Its universal compatibility with existing readers allows for seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

Key Features:

• myQ Community Software: Cloud-based access control software for remote management.
• Controls up to 2 Gates/Doors: Manage multiple entry points from a single system.
• Expansive Capacity: Stores 25,000 active credentials locally for offline use.
• Universal Compatibility: Works with 26-, 30- and 37-bit Wiegand-compatible readers.
• Real-Time Activity Tracking: Provides an audit trail of all access events.
• PoE (802.3af) enabled: Simplifies installation with power over a single Ethernet cable.
• Email Alerts: Notifies you of suspicious activity, such as an invalid code being used.

Use Mobile Credentials for Staff

The use of mobile credentials is a rising trend in retail security, offering a convenient and hygienic alternative to physical cards or key fobs. By enabling staff to use their personalized to unlock secure doors, you eliminate the risk of lost or unreturned keys. These systems help limit access to sensitive or restricted areas by ensuring only authorized personnel can enter, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with high staff turnover, as credentials can be instantly issued or revoked from anywhere.

A valuable tool for creating these secure credentials is the Pointman Nuvia N20D Dual-Sided Card Printer. This professional-grade printer allows security managers to produce highly secure, customized ID badges in-house. It can encode credentials with MIFARE, smart card, or magnetic stripe technologies, which are essential for controlling access to back-of-house areas. This in-house capability reduces the security risks of sharing sensitive employee data with third-party vendors, while also providing the convenience and cost savings of printing on demand.

Key Features: 

• Dual-Sided Printing: Allows for comprehensive ID badge design and information.
• Multiple Encoding Options: Supports MIFARE, smart card, and magnetic stripe technologies.
• High-Security Features: Physical locks on the printer protect credentials and ribbons.
• Compact Design: Fits into any office space for convenient in-house printing.
• Rewrite Function: Allows for updates or temporary cards, increasing cost efficiency.

Secure Back-of-House Areas

While customer-facing areas are often the focus, securing back-of-house areas is crucial for preventing internal theft. Stockrooms, offices, and cash-handling rooms should all have separate access control in place. By implementing a system that limits entry to only authorized personnel, you prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of unauthorized entry to valuable inventory and sensitive information. This enhances accountability and creates a clear separation between public and private zones, which is a foundational aspect of robust retail security.

Invest in High-Security Doors and Locking Mechanisms

The door itself is your first line of physical defense. Investing in doors with a security level that matches the risk of the area is critical. This might mean a reinforced steel door with multi-point locking mechanisms for a high-value stockroom or a heavy-duty rolling shutter for a storefront. In high-risk areas, security gates can be installed alongside doors to provide an additional layer of physical security, further deterring unauthorized access and theft. Modern locks, including smart locks, can be integrated with your access control system to provide multiple entry methods and a digital audit trail of every access event, ensuring your doors are both physically and digitally secure.

Protect Open Spaces with Security Grilles

For businesses in modular retail spaces or those with large, open storefronts, security grilles are an essential defense after hours. As one of several security devices available to retailers, grilles provide a strong physical barrier that protects merchandise and a store’s interior from vandalism and break-in attempts. They are a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing solution that offers robust protection without a permanent wall. The effectiveness of a grille is often determined by the commercial door opener that powers it, as a reliable, high-cycle operator is necessary for consistent, long-term performance.

A high-performance solution for a rolling steel door or grille is the LiftMaster J 3/4 HP Industrial-Duty Jackshaft Operator. This industrial-duty operator is built for the demanding, high-cycle use of a retail environment, ensuring reliable and consistent operation for years. Its adjustable friction clutch protects the door from obstructions and its Logic 5.0 circuit board allows for precise programming, such as a timer-to-close function that automatically secures the grille after hours. For a business owner, this translates to a durable, low-maintenance, and highly secure door operator that protects their storefront.

Key Features:

• Industrial-Duty Jackshaft Operator: Built for demanding, high-cycle commercial applications.
• Adjustable Friction Clutch: Prevents damage to the door from obstructions.
• Logic 5.0 Circuit Board: Allows for precise programming and control.
• Programmable Timer-to-Close: Automatically secures the door after a set time.
• 3-Button Control Station: Provides easy Open/Close/Stop functionality.

Integrate Access Control with Other Systems

The most effective retail security is a unified system where all components work together. Your access control solution should be seamlessly integrated with your video surveillance, alarm systems, and other systems such. For example, an unauthorized door access attempt can automatically trigger nearby cameras to start recording or send a real-time alert to a security manager. This holistic approach prevents operational silos, ensuring a faster, more coordinated response to any security incident, and providing a comprehensive view of all activities within your store.

A powerful tool for this type of integration is the LiftMaster 10-Key Keypad Smart Reader. This reader works with the myQ Community app to provide secure, cloud-based credentialed access for a wide range of building entrances. For retail security managers, this system allows for the seamless integration of mobile credentials into an existing access control infrastructure, meaning staff can use their smartphones as an all-access pass to enter secure areas. This not only enhances convenience but also provides a highly secure, encrypted method of entry that can be remotely managed.

Key Features:

• Cloud-Based Control: Manage access and monitor activity with the myQ Community app.
• Secure Mobile Credentials: Highly secure, encrypted access via smartphone.
• Versatile: Works for a variety of entrances, from the front door to a stockroom.
• Convenient Access: Offers options to tap a phone or use push notifications to unlock doors.
• Easy to Install: Can be a plug-and-play solution for both new and existing buildings.
• Real-Time Alerts: Provides notifications for a variety of events, enhancing security.