Identifying Suspicious Activities: A Guide for Commercial Building Owners

Learn how to protect your commercial building from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access using effective strategies and advanced security technology.

Last Updated:
March 31, 2025
| ~
5
min Read
By
Hailee Gardner
,
Marketing Writer
,
LVT

Summary 

  • Common threats to commercial buildings include burglary, vandalism, and unauthorized access
  • AI-powered surveillance helps detect suspicious behavior in real time
  • Strategic camera placement and access control improve security coverage
  • Proactive security measures protect tenants, property, and business operations

A lot goes on within the walls of your building. Employees go about their work, customers run their errands, meetings occur, and deals are made. As the building’s owner, it falls on you to ensure that these activities carry on in safety and peace, and that your building’s offices and occupants are protected from crime. Their livelihoods—as well as yours—depend on it.

It can be nearly impossible to properly maintain the security of your building without the right tools in place. In addition to investing in the right security technology, a few important pointers can make a world of difference in protecting your commercial building from nefarious characters. Read on for practical insights that can revolutionize your approach to commercial building security. 

The Importance of Commercial Building Security 

You have a lot for which you’re responsible as a commercial building owner—and, therefore, a lot to protect. To complicate matters, in addition to bearing this responsibility to protect your property and tenants, you also have to—you know—perform the other responsibilities associated with your job. 

Commercial building security is paramount to the success of your business, as well as to the safety of tenants and visitors. Investing in the right security technology can be a game-changer for you, allowing you to monitor your property, recognize suspicious activity, and respond quickly without requiring much work at all on your part. 

What Are Considered Suspicious Activities?

As a business owner, your intuition is invaluable in letting you know when something isn’t right. Though it’s important to trust your gut, there are a few suspicious behaviors you need to watch out for. Keep an eye out for unknown vehicles, strange movements, and individuals loitering or attempting to gain unauthorized access to your property. Pay special attention to problematic areas such as entry points, hallways, alleyways, service areas, and parking lots.

You know what to look for in terms of suspicious activity on your property. It can get both tricky and time-consuming, however, to pore over every second of security footage in real time looking for suspicious happenings. Modern security systems provide a solution, equipped with AI features and digital threat detection. 

Behavior to Watch For 

With the right security system, you can avoid the majority of criminal damages that could befall your building. However, to maintain complete protection and mitigate as many risks as possible, be sure to note these common indicators of potential threats. 

Unusual Behavior

You won’t be able to memorize the daily routine of everyone who visits your building, but you can take note of people acting unusual and threatening. 

Unauthorized Entry Attempts

When unauthorized individuals and vehicles attempt to enter sensitive areas, act quickly to ensure they’re unsuccessful. 

Loitering 

Idle hands spell trouble. Be sure to catch anyone who hangs around your property and won’t leave, as they’re most likely up to no good. 

Threats Facing Commercial Buildings

As a building manager, you may face a range of potential threats—most commonly burglary, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Being aware of these risks is key to effective prevention.

Intrusion 

Entry to your property by those without permission to do so presents a wide variety of potential dangers. An uninvited guest may cause damage to your or your tenants’ property, put other people in danger, or become an insurance liability to you or your business.

Burglary

Commercial buildings are especially prone to burglary, or unlawful entry by a criminal with the intent to commit a crime (usually theft). Burglary can result in asset loss, tenant dissatisfaction, harm to innocent individuals, and a decreased feeling of safety in your building and area. 

Vandalism 

Buildings like yours are typical targets of vandals, who intentionally destroy, damage, or deface your property for any reason. It’s not a victimless crime—vandalism can cost you money and drive down your property value. 

Tips for the Wary Business Owner 

Know you need to ramp up your building’s security, but are unsure where to start? Have no fear—we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you leverage security technology to monitor for threats and respond effectively. 

  • Perform a risk assessment
  • Establish a clear security protocol
  • Train tenants and employees—and enlist visitors’ help—to observe and report unusual behavior
  • Utilize access control and alarm technology, as well as intrusion detection systems, to try and mitigate unauthorized entry 
  • Display signage and employ other methods of deterrence, such as floodlights and loudspeakers 
  • Ensure your equipment and security approach are in compliance with local laws, including those regarding privacy
  • Review security camera footage regularly 
  • Position surveillance cameras strategically, covering vulnerable spots, as well as sensitive and problematic areas 
  • Remain vigilant in protecting your property from would-be criminals

It may seem like a daunting task, but take a deep breath—our solutions can help secure your site, so you can focus on the rest of your responsibilities. 

The Power of Video Surveillance 

Video surveillance cameras are one of the greatest tools in your arsenal for protecting your commercial building. When you catch suspicious activities and crime on video, you increase your chances of preventing and successfully investigating crime. Modern video monitoring software—featuring high-definition footage and intuitive software for easy storage and review—can capture and record illegal activities, so you’re never without proof and can respond to threats as they occur.

Stay On Guard With LVT

As you manage your commercial building, security is of the utmost importance for you, your tenants, and everyone else who visits your property. LiveView Technologies offers world-class commercial building security solutions with the optimal combination of state-of-the-art tech, intuitive software, and flexibility.

Are you inundated with criminals, vagrants, and other ne'er-do-wells at your property, but finding it difficult to justify shelling out cash for a security patrol? Have you not been able to find a provider that actually serves its customers, providing every feature you need at a price you’ll love? Look no further than LVT. Our systems boast:

  • 2-way speakers for warning unauthorized guests 
  • 24/7 recording capabilities
  • Cloud storage, and the ability to easily save footage for investigation and protection purposes 
  • Remote monitoring and control
  • Real-time alerts
  • AI-assisted smart analytics 
  • Easy integration with alarms, access control systems, and other security tech
  • Motion detection
  • Crystal-clear footage, even at night and in low-light conditions 
  • Durable and weather-resistant 
  • Mobile security, including portable units and trailers 

Discover how we could transform the security of your commercial building, and schedule your free demo today!

More Posts You'll Love