Insights You Must Know to Keep Your Business Secure

According to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (Crime Report, Queensland 2023-24):

• A total of 612,218 offenses were recorded across Queensland.
• This equates to roughly 1.1 offenses for every 10 people in the
  state!
• Of these, 289,652 were property offenses, including unlawful
  entry (break and enter), theft, and property damage.
  This high level of criminal activity highlights the importance of businesses taking
  proactive steps to protect their premises.

JR Security Services is a top Australian Security Company protecting Queensland businesses, and now the rest of Australia, for over a decade. Based on our experience across retail, industrial, hospitality, corporate buildings and local government sites, we have compiled this post outlining our key learnings to keep your business safe and secure and the smartest ways to protect your livelihood while balancing cost and practicality.

Ensure the measures you do have are in working order
Take the time to regularly inspect your existing security controls.

• Are all cameras working and recording properly?
• Are alarm sensors clean and positioned correctly?
• Does your monitoring centre have updated contact details?
• Are exterior lights operating and timers set properly?

A short audit like this can prevent days of disruption or thousands in losses. Many business owners discover too late that a camera had stopped recording weeks earlier or a back door sensor was never armed. JR Security Services recommends performing a security health check every six months. A 30-minute site visit now can save you a massive headache later.

But we have cameras, we will be right
Security cameras are one of the most common and misunderstood business security protections.
Pros:

• 24/7 visibility of your premises, inside and out through a Video Management System.
• A proven deterrent against opportunistic theft or vandalism.
• Valuable evidence for police and insurance claims.

Cons:

• Cameras record incidents but don’t stop them.
• Footage is often useless if offenders wear masks or hoodies. How many times have we seen on the news or social media surveillance footage of crooks ram-raiding a store with their faces completely covered, leaving no identifying features?
• Without real-time monitoring, you might not know something has happened until hours later.
  “How many times have we seen on the news or social media surveillance footage of crooks ram-raiding a store with their faces completely covered, leaving no identifying features”

Tip: Make sure cameras cover critical entry points and store footage securely in the cloud off-site.

Alarm Monitoring for Peace of Mind
Alarm systems add an active layer of protection but only if they’re monitored properly. Real-time alarm monitoring means your system sends alerts directly to a 24/7 control room. When a sensor is triggered, trained operators assess the alert and dispatch security patrols or contact emergency services.
Strengths:

• Immediate notification of break-ins or disturbances.
• Faster response times — especially when paired with patrol dispatch.
• Peace of mind knowing your site is watched, even when you’re on holiday.

Limits:

• False alarms can happen from wind, wildlife, or technical issues.
• Relies on regular maintenance and accurate contact information.

Real-time monitoring is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your business — especially when linked with patrols that can respond quickly.

Guards vs Patrols

While technology is important, nothing beats human presence when it comes to real deterrence.
Static Security Officers (Best Protection):

• Immediate on-site response to suspicious activity.
• Visible deterrence — offenders often move on when they see a uniformed guard.
• Regular checks of doors, gates, lighting, and alarms.
• Direct liaison with police and your management team.

Mobile Patrols (Balanced & Cost-Effective):
A strong alternative is to schedule mobile patrols, for example, three 10-minute visits spread across the evening. This is a more cost effective alternative and most security firms charge per minute.
This approach provides:

• A visible and randomised presence throughout the night.
• Physical inspection of entry points, fencing, and lighting.
• Detailed reports and escalation of any critical incidents.

Pros:

• More affordable than you might think and cheaper than a static guard.
• Creates unpredictability for potential offenders.
• Patrol reports can provide valuable data for insurance claims and reduce premiums.

Cons:

• Not on-site continuously.
• Crime could occur between patrols.

For many small and medium businesses, this is the ideal middle ground.

Communicating an effective response
Even with alarms and patrols in place, the key to effective protection is communication. Modern security systems can notify both the monitoring centre and business owners directly via alerts.
At JR Security Services, our control centre can:

• Receive after-hours calls on your behalf.
• Verify alarms using camera feeds.
• Dispatch mobile patrols instantly.
• Keep you updated throughout the event so you can focus on your business.

Integrating real-time response ensures incidents are handled quickly and efficiently,
often before significant damage or theft occurs.
The 3 most effective levels of protection
Every business has different risks and budgets, but we recommend thinking about
security in three clear tiers:

1. Best Protection – Static Security Officer:

• Immediate deterrence and response.
• Personalised presence that adapts to the site’s needs.
• Best for high-value retail, warehouses, and sites with previous incidents.

2. Balanced Protection – Mobile Patrols:

• Three 10-minute randomised visits per night.
• Regular reports, checks, and strong deterrence.
• Great for most small to medium Brisbane businesses.

3. Smart, Scalable Protection – Real-Time Alarm Monitoring:

• Affordable 24/7 coverage with instant alerts.
• Fast patrol dispatch and communication.
• Ideal for lower-risk or budget-conscious sites.

Final Thoughts
Whether your business is a corporate building in the CBD, a cafe in Fortitude Valley or a warehouse in the outer suburbs, preparation is your best defence.
By leveraging effective technology, visible presence, and real-time response, you’ll minimise your risk and maximise your peace of mind.
This post was released with aim to better inform and equip our community with the knowledge to keep their business secure. If you enjoyed this content, our insights and would like to connect and arrange a obligation free security assessment of your business, please visit us at https://jrsecurityservices.com.au/contact-us/ or send us a message on social media and one of our security consultants will contact you.