With U.S. vehicle thefts surging to over 1 million in 2023 according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, car dealerships are prime targets due to their high-value, accessible inventory. These assets are particularly vulnerable to theft or damage due to their mobility and visibility.
Protecting your dealership requires a well-thought-out approach to security systems that address both physical vulnerabilities and modern technological threats. From key management solutions to onsite security, let’s explore what you should prioritize.
A Key Management System
A robust key management system is a fundamental security measure for car dealerships. Many vehicles on your lot will need to be accessed for test drives or maintenance, so controlling and tracking who has the keys at any given time is crucial.
Electronic key systems and business security solutions, for example, offer advanced storage options designed for this purpose. Beyond enhancing security, they can also streamline your dealership’s organization, making day-to-day operations smoother.
A Closed Perimeter
In terms of physical security, one of the most effective ways of preventing people from stealing your cars is by creating a closed perimeter. Whether you do this with bollards, fencing, walls, or some other kind of barrier, it’s important that it’s both difficult to break through and aesthetically on brand.
What you really want to avoid is having any weak points. These will typically be the openings — it’s worth working with a specialist consultant on this, to make sure that you don’t fall for any basic traps.
Advanced Alarm System
In the case that someone does try to force entry into your facilities and steal a car, it’s important that you have an advanced alarm system in place to warn you. You should make sure that you have this linked up to the right places – potentially alerting the police or a private security firm straight away. You can also fit alarms and tracking devices to the vehicles themselves, if appropriate.
Consider Onsite Security
Lastly, if your dealership stocks particularly valuable vehicles, or in a particularly vulnerable location, it could be worth hiring onsite security. Even if you don’t need them in the day while other employees are there, it could be worth having some kind of security presence at night, to act as a deterrent against would-be thieves.
Whether this is necessary or not will depend on a wide range of factors, and it’s worth carrying out a cost-benefit analysis before implementing this kind of solution.
It’s important to think about the actual risks that your business is facing first, and then consider security systems second. You want those systems to be solutions to actual problems you’re experiencing, to ensure that your investment is maximally effective.
Additional Consideration: Surveillance Cameras
Beyond the options above, installing high-quality surveillance cameras can significantly boost your dealership’s security. Strategically placed cameras with night vision and remote monitoring capabilities can provide real-time oversight and valuable evidence if an incident occurs. Integrating them with your alarm system can further enhance their effectiveness.
Conclusion
By implementing a combination of key management, physical barriers, alarm systems, and surveillance, car dealerships can significantly reduce security risks. Evaluating your dealership’s specific vulnerabilities will help ensure your security investments are both strategic and effective.
