Currently, many warehouses rely on basic sign-in sheets, swipe cards without detailed tracking, or even just trusting personnel. These methods are easily compromised, offer limited detail, and struggle to provide a clear audit trail. Imagine a scenario where expensive goods are stolen from a secure storage zone. Without precise records showing exactly who entered that zone, and *when*, proving negligence or identifying a perpetrator becomes incredibly difficult. Insurers will rightly question whether adequate security measures were in place.
The problem isn’t going away. Insurers are actively updating their policies to reflect the increased risks and available technologies. They’re beginning to recognise that robust visitor and access management isn’t just a security best practice, it’s a crucial component of risk mitigation – and therefore, insurability.
Here are some actionable insights to help warehouses strengthen their position:
- Implement a digital visitor management system: Move beyond paper logs. Digital systems offer detailed records, photo identification capture, and automated reporting.
- Integrate access control: Link your visitor system with access control systems (like keycard readers) to create a complete picture of who is where, and when.
- Zone-based access: Don’t just track *that* someone entered the warehouse, track *where* they went within it. Restrict access to high-value areas based on role and pre-approval.
- Regularly audit access logs: Proactively review access data to identify anomalies and ensure the system is functioning correctly.
Ultimately, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive access control and visitor management is about protecting your business, your people, and your bottom line. We recommend conducting a thorough review of your current security protocols and exploring solutions that provide verifiable, auditable access records. Don’t wait for an incident to highlight the gaps – proactively address them now to ensure a smooth insurance experience should the unexpected occur.
