The must-have security systems for car dealerships (of any size)

For all dealerships, whether a franchise with hundreds of locations or a small, independent operation, keeping on top of security is an absolute must. 

The combination of both the assets under your control and of the current rise in criminal gangs targeting those assets is a perfect storm, and you’ll need to use every tool at your disposal to keep your forecourt safe. 

We’ve decided to share some of the must-have security systems for all sizes of car dealerships, to help you assess whether your current approach might have any gaps. 

Key management lockers

To protect the vehicles in your dealership, you need to make sure that you’re protecting the keys to those vehicles. Far too many businesses still just throw all the keys in a single filing cabinet that can be unlocked with a single key, and this kind of approach is a recipe for disaster.

Smart key management lockers from providers like KEYper Systems are often your best bet. You can control who has access to each individual key, and also use automatically updated access logs, which provide insights into who has used a key at any given time and date.

A secure perimeter

Ultimately, you can’t just use digital gadgets to stop people from stealing cars: you also need to have some strong, material systems in place, such as a secure perimeter. 

This should include a strong wall, and retractable bollards that can be put up when you don’t need to bring cars in and out. This way, even if someone does manage to hack into your cars or steal the keys, they won’t actually be able to drive them off the premises. 

Trackers and immobilisers

Adding another layer of protection in the vehicles themselves can also be an excellent idea. One solution is to use immobilisers, which make it harder for would-be thieves to use relay attacks to clone keys and start your cars. 

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Another line of defence is to install trackers that can’t be detected in hidden locations. This way, if the vehicle is stolen, you’ll have a much better chance of tracking it down and getting it back with help from the police.

Alarm systems

A final vital system you should have in place is a modern alarm setup. You need something that does a lot more than just make a loud noise; the system should send an alert to your smartphone, and potentially to the local police station as well, if possible.

In addition to sound, you can also have alarms that flash strobe lights, or shine bright flood lights in a continuous manner. Make sure that you pick whichever option makes the most sense in your specific location. 

There are plenty of attractive security systems to choose from in the context of car dealership management nowadays, and it’s worth putting aside enough time to properly research your best options. Focus first on the main threats you’re facing, and then check which solutions are most appropriate for those specific issues.