What’s the biggest security risk that business owners in Southwest Riverside County overlook? It’s not just external threats or break-ins—it’s the hidden vulnerabilities within their own security system that go unnoticed until it’s too late.
As a business owner, you’ve invested time, money, and effort into building your company. A professionally installed security system with 24-hour monitoring is one of the best ways to protect your business—but only if it’s properly maintained. Many business owners assume their system is “set and forget,” but failing to update key security features can leave them vulnerable.
Here are four essential actions to ensure your security system is operating at peak performance.
1. Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date
When an alarm is triggered, the monitoring station needs to contact the right people immediately. Outdated contact information can lead to delays in verifying alarms, accidental police dispatches, or missed emergency responses.
Review your emergency contact list at least once a year. If staff turnover or keyholder responsibilities change, update your alarm company immediately.
2. Update Employee Access Codes Regularly
Assign individual user codes and remove old ones as needed. This allows you to monitor access and ensures that former employees can’t disarm the system after leaving.
For A-Bell Alarms clients, managing employee access is simple. Just call our office, and we’ll remotely update your alarm system—no site visit required, and no technical setup needed on your end.
3. Change Your Alarm System “Password”
The password used to verify identity with your monitoring station should also be updated when employees leave. If a former employee knows the old security password, they could cancel an alarm and prevent authorities from responding.
One business experienced a break-in when an ex-employee used an outdated abort code to cancel the alarm with the monitoring station, allowing unauthorized entry. A simple update to the abort code could have prevented the incident.
4. Get a Security Re-Inspection After Remodeling
Even small layout changes can impact your security system’s effectiveness.
Common issues include:
- New shelving or partitions blocking motion detectors.
- Tall plants obstructing security cameras.
- Glass break detectors no longer covering high-risk windows.
Scheduling an annual security inspection ensures your system provides maximum protection. If you’ve remodeled or reorganized, schedule a re-inspection with your alarm provider.
Stay Proactive to Stay Protected
The biggest security risk business owners overlook? Assuming their system is always working as intended. By taking these four simple actions, you can prevent unnecessary risks and ensure your system functions properly when needed most.
A-Bell Alarms has been serving Southern California since 1971 and the Temecula Valley since 1985—this is our home. Over the decades, we’ve seen security challenges shift—from simple alarms to today’s smart security solutions with real-time monitoring and remote access. As threats evolve, so should your security strategy. We’ve been helping local businesses stay protected for over 50 years. If you’re due for a security check-up, call us today at (951) 302-3100 or visit abellalarms.com to schedule an inspection. Protect your business before a security gap becomes a security breach.