As we step up in 2024, improving car dealership security has become even more crucial!
Concerned about break-ins, hotwiring, and relay attacks at your auto dealership? Worried about security gaps and the robustness of your perimeter defense? You’re not alone.
As auto dealerships speed up their efforts to become more secure, remote video monitoring stands as an essential friend, offering comprehensive security.
In 2024, the stakes are anything but low and it’s more important than ever to find out how you can improve dealership security by quick detection and prompt action to security risks.
This guide will take deep dives into the burning issues of auto dealership security, providing insights and solutions through which you can learn how to protect your dealerships from security risks!
Step 1: Assess security gaps at your dealership:
Assessing security vulnerabilities is the first step towards enhancing vehicle dealership security. This could involve a review of the areas where you might need to increase security.
Additionally, examine your current protocols and guidelines to find security weaknesses.
Assess the physical layout of your auto dealership:
Assessing the physical layout of your dealership will give you a good idea of what you can do to deter unauthorized access.
The following layers can bolster physical boundary security at a car dealership:
- Perimeter security
- Access security
- Lighting
- Signage
- CCTV surveillance cameras
Perimeter security:
Assess the perimeter security by identifying if the fencing is durable enough to discourage unauthorized access.
Climbing over and cutting through sections of distorted fences, for instance, makes it easier to squeeze through.
Next, evaluate if the gates are strong enough and if they are automated or guarded by security guards.
You should make sure that only authorized personnel, vehicles, or deliveries are allowed while restricting access to others.
Bollards are also a fantastic way to stop unauthorized access. You need to assess where you can place them to block and stop the cars from being towed away or sped out of the driveway!
How can you improve perimeter security?
- Install strong gates: If you own a huge dealership, including chain-link, wrought iron, electric, or high-security fencing may be a viable option as it might deter thieves and criminals.
- Setting bollards: Bollards in parking lots not only make it difficult to take an automobile from the dealership quickly, but they also shield the vehicles from outside collisions that could cause havoc and even set the lot on fire.
- AI-driven surveillance: perimeter security can be enhanced using advanced AI technologies, including CCTV cameras. These innovations enhance real-time threat detection, reduce false alarms through intelligent analysis, and provide proactive security measures to safeguard critical areas.
Access security:
Say goodbye to old-school locks. Try installing smart access systems. Keyless entry or biometric scanners, add a futuristic layer to your security game. Thieves can’t pick a lock that isn’t there.
What is even more innovative? Install RFID readers to scan key fobs or access cards for entry in specific areas of your business such as showrooms or service centers.
It also helps to track the whereabouts and movements of your employees within the dealership premises.
How can you improve access security?
- Keep those keys in check: Implement strict key control policies for employees. Only trusted hands should be holding the keys.
- Surveillance cameras at access points: Eyes everywhere – that’s the idea. Install surveillance CCTV cameras at access points, ensuring you’ve got a visual record of who’s coming and going. It’s like having a digital bouncer.
- Well-lit entrances: Shadows are a thief’s best friend. Light up your entrances like a Hollywood premiere. A well-lit space not only deters intruders but also makes your dealership a less tempting target.
Lighting:
Car dealerships with poor lighting, and dark and dull lots are an open invitation to car thieves and criminals looking to make away with catalytic converters, wheels and rims, fancy high-tech headlights and about anything they can get their hands on!!
How can you improve the lighting ?
- Use LED lighting : LED lighting can respond to occupancy and daylight and can improve the color of your showroom. LED lighting can also provide up to 95% energy savings. LED lighting can also supply a natural white color that lights up the lot, dealership, and foliage.
- Use a lighting system : Lighting specialists recommend installing a lighting system that can adapt to rearrangements. You can also consider installing beams and projectors.
- Use a lighting kit : A lighting kit can increase the visibility of your inventory.
- Smart lighting : to enhance security and visibility, you can integrate smart lighting systems with CCTV systems. These systems can illuminate specific areas of demand and create a deterrent effect.
CCTV surveillance cameras:
The mere sight of CCTV cameras dissuades criminal activity on the property. When combined with sophisticated video analytics, these cameras become extremely effective at quickly identifying security breaches.
How do surveillance cameras improve dealership security?
- The parking lot, meeting room, and customer dealing rooms should all have cameras installed for complete coverage of the entire auto dealership.
- Camera recording range can be distorted by lights, so it is preferable to mount the cameras below the lights.
- By adding video analytics to your existing CCTV surveillance cameras would enhance the effectiveness of surveillance. It makes it possible for the cameras to look for suspicious activity, smoke, and intrusions intelligently.
Note:
For tailored advice on the best spots to place your security cameras, consult your security installer for expert guidance!
Related blog: 13 effective ways for auto dealers to prevent car theft.
Review your existing policies and procedures:
The way you oversee the policies and procedures at your auto dealership has a big impact on keeping it secure as well.
Additionally, this would lessen employee negligence like leaving the car keys outside or parking in the wrong spaces, helping to maintain tighter control over the workforce.
You must keep track of the following:
- The arrangement and display of vehicles.
- Enforcing a precise sign-out procedure.
- Staff training methodologies and supervision.
- Emergency response protocols and actions.
Step 2: What security threats does your car dealership face?
Every auto dealership has unique security threats. You can determine which security solution is better suited once you have identified the security threats at your dealership.
Here is a list of some of the security threats faced by most auto dealerships across Canada :
- Thefts and vandalism
- Fraudulent insurance claims
- False alarm fines
- Employee and customer safety
- Fire eruption
Before going into further detail about these security risks, please note that after this section, we will also provide you with a thorough security solution list that addresses each threat. So, keep reading!
Thefts and vandalism:
In Canada, car dealership theft has become a national crisis, with an automobile stolen every six minutes.
Horrifyingly, car dealerships are not safe either.
Related blog: Strategies to Prevent Car Theft for Auto Dealers.
A CBC report has confirmed that three cars were stolen from a dealership in Winnipeg.
Desperate car dealership owners ask for assistance after 23 sets of keys and five vehicles are stolen, according to a report by Calgary CTV news!
These are just a few theft stories that mention that organized crime is fueling the wave of auto thefts.
If we look at the Equite Association’s most recent report on the top ten stolen vehicles in Canada, we can narrow it down to just the top five vehicles, as indicated below:
It is evident that these organized car thieves target more than just expensive luxury vehicles—they take just about anything they can get their hands on!
Whatever vehicle it is—a Toyota Highlander, Ford, Dodge Ram, or SUV. Still, a Honda CR-V was the most stolen car in 2023, by far.
Not only do they steal cars to export them and profit handsomely, but they also disassemble the entire vehicle and sell its components—such as the catalytic converters, engine, gearbox, car batteries, windshields, tailgates and ignition controls—for higher prices!
Fraudulent insurance claims:
Auto dealerships are bombarded with fraudulent claims every year! This leads to severe penalties and damage to the car dealership’s reputation!
These claims involve disputes over fraudulent vehicle damage claims, unauthorized vehicle usage, concerns about the quality of parts or repairs, disputes related to stolen items, and incidents of injuries occurring within the dealership premises.
Related blog: How video monitoring helps automotive dealership avoid fraudulent claims.
False alarm fines:
False alarm fines vary in different areas, with Edmonton imposing a $100 fine on alarm system holders, Calgary offering the first false alarm for free and charging $500 for subsequent ones, and Toronto imposing a hefty $1,629 fine for nuisance false alarms.
As of May 2023, Toronto charges $1,530 per dispatch for malicious or nuisance false alarms.
A Scarborough woman in Ontario received a $1,500 bill from the City of Toronto for a false fire alarm and she was not even home!
Fire eruption:
The fire eruption statistics at auto dealerships will shock you!
Montreal Gazette reports arsonists setting fire in Roxboro dealership destroying multiple vehicles.
In another case, firefighters in Okotoks put out a massive fire that broke out at a Chrysler dealership. Luckily the fire was stopped early and no injuries were reported.
Not all fires are sparked by malice towards dealerships; CTV News reports that some Kia cars and SUVs may have faulty electrical components. These can short-circuit and overheat, potentially starting a fire.
Step 3: Improve car dealership security via remote video monitoring
Remote video monitoring through a reputable security operations center provides a comprehensive suite of solutions to tackle theft, vandalism, and other adverse events at car dealerships.
Integrating AI-driven video analytics with professional oversight enables the immediate detection of security incidents, allowing for swift action to prevent escalation.
Let’s have a look at these solutions.
Object detection and tracking AI:
The object detection and tracking AI solution detects intrusions by cars or individuals on your premises when the dealership is closed.
Intrusions trigger alarms at the live remote monitoring center where operators examine live footage and act promptly in accordance with the situation.
The fun part? You get to control who goes where. You can configure the alarms to be triggered at someone’s entry into specific areas during surveillance hours.
The thefts and vandalism attempts discussed above can be detected swiftly.
Alarm video verification:
Alarm video verification is especially important for securing your dealership from the inside.
So, you see, when a motion detector, glass break, or door contact are triggered, the remote video monitoring center is notified, and cameras promptly kick into action.
You don’t need to worry because the dedicated security operators personally review the footage, adding that human touch to confirm or dismiss the alarm.
Rest assured, based on the situation, they follow the SOPs to ensure a swift and effective response.
What’s the big deal? Well, you don’t pay the heavy false alarm fines discussed in step 2 above. In some cases, genuine security concerns are communicated to you via SMS or email so you can also be a part of the entire incident and collaborate with the remote operator.
Lone worker alarm response :
Remote video monitoring also helps employees working alone who may face a casualty or a distressed situation.
Once the lone worker device is activated, an alarm is triggered at the remote operations center. There, vigilant operators quickly check on the situation remotely and intervene following your SOPs.
Operators stay with the victim until help arrives or the problem has been solved.
How does this help? You lessen the impact of possible mishaps and the severity of injuries.
Remote access :
Video monitoring offers you remote access to your business from anywhere and at any time as long as you have an Internet connection. You can keep an eye on the multiple lots via the mobile app or desktop.
Not just live viewing! Some monitoring centers have their own downloadable mobile apps. You can also arm and disarm different areas with just a click.
This feature enhances your control over the security measures, offering both convenience and flexibility in managing your parking facilities. You can also access recorded video footage.
Fire and smoke detection AI:
Cameras equipped with the smoke and fire detection AI solution can help in the quick detection of early signs of fire and smoke saving your car dealerships from heavy losses by safeguarding personnel, assets, and automobiles
When the camera AI detects smoke or fire, the system triggers an alarm at the remote operating center.
The trained operators quickly access the cameras and initiate an emergency response according to the client’s SOPs.
The benefits of a video surveillance system for your car dealership:
Selecting the appropriate security system for your vehicle dealership is crucial. You can gain far more from it than just protection against the risk of theft and vandalism.
Here, we have covered a few advantages of using a remote video monitoring system at your car dealership:
Conclusion:
As we wrap up this exploration of how you can improve car dealership security in 2024, remember: swift detection and prompt action are the keys to robust security.
When you assess the security gaps, you take the power in your hands. Once the security risks specific to your dealership have been assessed, only you will be able to decide on a proactive course of action.
The crucial next step is to implement or consider the recommended security enhancements to fortify your car dealership’s physical security. Incorporating remote video monitoring adds an extra layer of protection.
We have also discussed the benefits of remote video monitoring beyond theft detection.
Contact us to explore a tailored security solution for your dealership.
