Creating a Holiday Security Plan for Cannabis Businesses

The holiday season is just around the corner! While this might bump up your customers and profits, it can also increase your potential risks. Cannabis businesses will need to take extra care in making sure that any current security is reliable and properly maintained and that updates or repairs are made prior to holiday sales. Preparedness is key, so create a Holiday Security Plan to ensure your business stays safe and prosperous.

Creating a Holiday Security Plan

For every retail holiday that sees a spike in shopping activity, it is important to check in on your staff and review the business’ security plans and procedures. Make sure all your employees are on the same page when it comes to dealing with theft and diversion. This could be accomplished through a team meeting or a type of training workshop. Educate your employees on tactics customers might use to distract you and inform them on proactive and reactive solutions during these situations. Additionally, some cannabis businesses will increase the number of security personnel onsite during busier periods to further disincentivize potential shoplifters.

In addition to security measures to manage an increase in sales for a cannabis retailer, there are steps that all businesses can take to protect their properties during the holiday season. Prior to any holiday business closures, cannabis business owners should check existing security systems such as video surveillance, alarms, and access control. Ensure that all devices and systems are fully upgraded, maintained, and in good working order. Cannabis business owners should also check that all merchandise can be clearly monitored through the video surveillance system, and that nothing is blocking the view of cameras such as displays, shelving, or holiday decorations. Before closing the facility for any extended time for the holidays, ensure that an employee or a trusted company is monitoring the video surveillance system during this period.

Facility Security During Holiday Closures

It is important to remember to maintain proper security measures during non-business hours as well. Just as there are risks with an increase in customers, there are additional risks during periods where a facility is closed for multiple days. This holiday season is a great example, and many businesses will be closed on Christmas Day or for a few days this month.

Before each closure of the premises, it is good to run through a checklist of your typical daily procedures. Ensure all cannabis and cannabis products, currency, and valuable merchandise are stored in their designated secure storage areas. Walk through each room and around the perimeter of the facility to make sure all employees or customers have left the facility and check for anything suspicious. Check that all doors are locked and that the alarm is armed prior to exiting the premises.

You should also notify your alarm monitoring company of the periods in which your business will be closed. This gives them a head’s up that anything that might pop up on their radar should be reported immediately. It is also a good idea for you, as the owner, to periodically check in on the surveillance system yourself. Additionally, you can utilize “holiday schedules” through your access control system to prevent employees who should not be on site while closed from entering.

This holiday season, ensure your cannabis business follows these security tips to stay safe and profitable!

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has over 30 years of security experience and expertise. Schedule a risk assessment with our security experts to ensure your cannabis security is efficient and effective. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with current cannabis security news and trends!