Warehouses can enhance security with smart surveillance, access control, and inventory tracking, creating a seamless system that protects goods and operations.
With cargo theft on the rise in North America, modern warehouses face ongoing security challenges. A 2024 report by CargoNet states that 776 cargo thefts occurred in Canada and the United States in Q3 2024, up 14 percent from Q3 2023. The value of stolen goods totaled $39.4 million. Popular cargo included footwear, computers, high-end audio systems, and hard liquor.
Criminals have also pulled off major robberies of cash. According to USC Annenberg Media, thieves broke into a vault inside a Los Angeles area warehouse in 2024, stealing an estimated $30M from security firm GardaWorld. The burglars gained entrance through a wall and the roof, triggering an alarm that did not alert local law enforcement. The theft wasn't discovered until workers opened the vault the next day.
A cohesive approach to warehouse security must include a mixture of perimeter surveillance, access control, and inventory tracking.
Perimeter security can begin with the combination of fencing and gates that are either staffed by security personnel or that require a code or badge for entry. Fencing equipped with vibration and motion detectors can quickly alert security teams of intrusions beyond official entrances, especially after hours.
In 2024, eight men in New York City were charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beer from warehouses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York over a two-year period. The thieves often cut through fencing and drove U-Haul trucks onto the property of beverage distributors. Had the fences been equipped with sensors, security teams may have been alerted sooner.
If physical barriers aren't feasible, well-positioned business security cameras can create virtual fence lines. If someone, or something, crosses part of the camera's field of view, the system will alert security teams. To reduce false alarms, analytics can help cameras watch for humans and vehicles, but filter out the movements of stray animals or swaying tree branches.
In addition to business security cameras mounted on warehouse exteriors, a growing trend is the deployment of mobile camera units that can cover blind spots on the property. These solar-powered units require no external power or tethering and communicate with security teams over cellular networks. The mobility of these camera units allows property owners to place them in strategic, out-of-the-way places quickly, rather than go through the expense of mounting and wiring fixed security cameras. A combination of optical and thermal cameras will provide around-the-clock surveillance.
During working hours, controlling entry and exit points is another key aspect of warehouse security. There can be a lot of activity in loading bays, giving non-employees an opportunity to slip into a warehouse and grab cargo. Doors and windows should be examined for ease of entry. Ideally, implementing multi-factor authentication for employees will reduce unauthorized access.
Sending high-quality security footage to the cloud is another important security measure. If the system is entirely local, thieves can break into the AV room and destroy DVRs or NVRs on the premises. However, with footage living in the cloud—and call centers monitoring alerts 24/7—illegal activity will be captured and stored for forensic use.
In terms of protecting cargo within the warehouse, barcode scanners and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are standard methods for tracking inventory and identifying discrepancies. Regular audits will also deter employee theft by showing that stock is closely monitored.
Warehouse teams should regularly review their security plans. No single measure is enough. A layered approach that includes physical barriers, surveillance, access control, and employee engagement is the best way to protect inventory and employees.
Want to learn more? Request a demo today to discover how LVT can help secure your warehouse.
