Investing in security measures to prevent business theft will not only prevent major financial problems, but will also ensure peace of mind for employees and customers. In this sense, you should know that the retail sector in Spain has experienced losses of €2,278 million in 2023 due to theft.
This figure was announced at the 26th AECOC Congress on Unknown Loss, where security directors and representatives of the Security Forces and Corps met. Given the increase in this problem, if we make a comparison with the 2022 data, it is essential to analyze the situation to act accordingly.
What are the types of thefts that occur in businesses?
Normally, the main objective of professional thieves is business, in fact, in most cases, these crimes are committed by organized gangs. Public establishments accessible from the street are the most susceptible to being robbed, although they have security systems, it is easier to dissuade them from committing these misdeeds.
Armed robbery
This type of crime involves the use of weapons, whether firearms or any other object that may be considered dangerous.
Its purpose is to threaten and intimidate employees and customers to steal money from the till or valuable merchandise. It is classified as one of the most serious robberies, since it involves violence and endangers the victims.
Internal theft
In this case, the thief is the employee himself and it is not always easy to detect him. This may involve the theft of cash, products, or using company credit cards.
Careless theft
In these circumstances, adequate security measures have not been taken to prevent theft. Simply put, negligence results in a person stealing an object or money because it was presented as an opportunity.
Cyber theft
Cybersecurity is one of the pending subjects in most Spanish companies. Cybercrimes are the order of the day, so accessing computer systems and devices to obtain confidential information or damage systems is increasingly common.
Burglary
Thieves make a hole in the wall, ceiling or floor to access a building and steal its belongings. It is very common for this practice to be carried out on weekends or at night in almost empty premises.
Theft
In the last year, there has been an increase in theft, which represents a considerable challenge for retail. Criminals organize to obtain high-value products in order to resell them. Unlike robbery, in this case no force or intimidation is used.
The most attractive products for thieves vary depending on the sector, but sausages, wines and liquors stand out, as well as oils, makeup and moisturizing creams. Although the technology category is still among their preferences, as can be seen after analyzing the inventory of hard drives, headphones and smartphones, among others.
Financial fraud
Fraud in companies is a problem that affects both financial stability and trust in the work environment. This type of crime takes various forms, from misuse of funds to manipulation of financial information. Furthermore, it can be perpetrated both by external agents and by the managers and employees themselves.
Among the most common types of fraud are the misuse of credit cards, the falsification of checks and invoices, or the alteration of accounting records. Personal identity theft can even occur, where a person presents themselves as a representative of the company to access confidential information related to funds.
Tips to prevent theft in your company
Once we have identified the different types of thefts that can occur in a company, it is necessary to study what measures or strategies to implement to avoid this risk. Above all, because the security of a business has a direct impact on both the business owner and the employees and customers; Furthermore, the lack of protection can also damage the corporate image.
Security and surveillance systems
There are complex security systems for surveillance on construction sites, large surfaces, more critical environments, as well as other more common solutions such as motion sensors or anti-theft devices. When we talk about complex we are referring to the perimeter laser alarm for large areas. Also falling into this classification are autonomous closed-circuit television systems or advanced body temperature monitoring systems, which are very effective in ensuring safety and protecting the health of employees.
Alarms are still very effective, but it is essential to have an alarm verification service that specializes in perimeter protection systems. Our company has designed Turkana, an advanced security software platform, that verifies, filters and categorizes signals coming from the facilities connected to it.
In short, these precautionary measures, together with access control, improving lighting, training staff or implementing a security protocol, will prevent thefts in companies. If you are not sure which surveillance system is most suitable for your business, contact us to offer you personalized advice. At Microsegur we are leaders in advanced solutions and we guarantee quality service.
