How to Review Your Security Strategy for the 2025 New Year

Maintaining an up-to-date security strategy is important for businesses across all industries, and the start of a new year is an excellent time to do so. January is a period when many businesses are returning from the holiday break with new insights and data from the previous year: Retailers and warehouses have survived their busiest period of the year, construction sites and corporate offices are back to work, and holiday condominium visitors have gone back home for the season.

Reviewing your security strategy prepares your business and team for the potential challenges of the year ahead. Today, we’re outlining some key best practices and sharing helpful checklists to use when reviewing your security measures.

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1. Define Your Security Goals

Internally clarifying your security goals is critical when reviewing your security strategy. When your goals are clearly defined, you can take concrete, actionable steps to achieve them. Gather your team’s input on security gaps and safety concerns during this stage. Ask yourself the following questions to help you define your goals:

What do I want to protect?

Inventory? Property? Residents? Staff members? Different priorities require different security approaches.

What are my priorities? Have my priorities changed over the last year?

If your business experienced an increased rate of vagrancy over the last year, for example, you may prioritize securing the areas where vagrancy is most common on your property.

What does security success look like?

Fewer break-ins or incidents of vandalism? Staff reporting feeling safer?

Remember to keep your goals realistic and in line with your risk tolerance.

2. Review Last Year’s Incident Reports

Refresh your memory by rereading your team’s incident reports from last year. Identify any changes or repeated patterns of incidents. Note any windows of time or seasonal patterns in which specific incidents occur or changes to previously recorded patterns.

For example, you may notice an uptick in vandalism during summer. If you can pinpoint the time of day these incidents are most likely to take place, as well as their seasonal patterns, you can stay prepared and secure the area ahead of when that type of incident may next occur.

Take note of new or emerging threats that should remain on your team’s radar in the coming months. Regularly reviewing your reports is a best practice that allows you to make proactive decisions for your upcoming year of security.

3. Assess Your Security Tools and Hardware

Tour your property and assess the functionality of your physical security measures. Use the following checklist:

Are alarm motion sensors and speakers functional? Are door and window-triggered sensors functional? Do alarms provide full coverage of the building?
Are any padlocks missing? Do all locks and padlocks function? Is your list of keyholders updated? Are keys accounted for?
Are keypads and keyfobs functional? Do you have an updated and secured list of keypad codes? Have you changed your codes recently?
Are all CCTV cameras online? Is recording functional across all cameras? Do any cameras experience connectivity issues? Are all areas of the property visually monitored? Do cameras produce clear images during the day and at night?
Are there any gaps or weak points in gates and fences? Do gates secure properly?
Is the PA system functional? Are walkie-talkie batteries in good condition? Are any communication devices missing?
Is the business’s safe functional? Is there a cash control procedure? Are safe keys removed from the premises at the end of the day?

If any physical security measures are out of operation or malfunctioning, coordinate with your property’s maintenance team to have them replaced or repaired immediately.

Additionally, if your business uses security software, check your systems to ensure they are running on the latest version. If an update is required, plan ahead to ensure that updating your software won’t cause any operational downtime.

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4. Conduct A Property Risk Assessment

In addition to ensuring your physical security measures are functional, you should conduct a thorough risk assessment on other aspects of your property. Use the following list to help in your assessment:

Are bushes and trees around the property well-maintained?
Are there any structures or landscape features (ie trees) that might compromise the effectiveness of fences?
Is lighting functional throughout the building? Is it effective?
Are doors, windows, skylights, bay doors, and other potential access points secured against access? Are they in good condition?
Is there any damaged concrete or flooring around the property that may pose a safety hazard?
Are pipes, vents, sprinklers, and other building components leaking or damaged? When were they last inspected?
Are visitors logged and recorded upon entry?
Are precautions in place to ensure no vehicles are tailgated into underground parking areas?
Are residents or employees informed of rules preventing unauthorized access at controlled doors?
Are high-value items kept in secure areas with alarm protection?
Are garbage and recycling bins stored in a secure area or locked?
Are flammable materials stored and disposed of safely and securely?
Do you have a static security presence? Overnight security?

These questions will help ensure your property is well-maintained and properly secured against potential safety hazards and trespassers.

5. Update Your Staff Members

Security is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s important that leadership and team members are on the same page. Conduct a security review with your team to ensure that everyone is up-to-date on the latest security updates, including policy changes, access control rules, and best practices. Be available for questions to help your team keep the property secure.

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6. Partner With Security Professionals

After reviewing your security strategy, you may realize that your 2025 plan needs to include a security presence to conduct patrols, write detailed reports, provide safety services for guests and staff members, and ensure the continued protection of your business and property.

At Blackbird Security, our team of highly-trained, professional security guards has a wealth of experience safeguarding businesses and properties across all industries in Canada. We’ve partnered with retail giants like Sephora and Safeway to safeguard their stores across multiple provinces, warehouses like Maersk, condominiums in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto, hotels including Holiday Inn and Sandman, institutions like the University of British Columbia, and many more.

Our security teams can help you close the gaps in your security strategy and safeguard your business through 2025 and beyond. Explore our services and get in touch with us at the form below to learn more.