Don’t Let Summer Put Your Business at Risk
While your team might be focused on PTO calendars and holiday weekends, criminals don’t take a summer break. In fact, warmer months often bring a spike in seasonal security threats, especially for businesses that experience higher foot traffic, fewer staff on site, or more after-hours activity.
Whether you manage a retail storefront, commercial office, warehouse, or construction site, now is the time to take a closer look at your security protocols. Is your system still meeting the needs of your space and staff? Are you prepared for short-term vulnerabilities that arise during summer? Most importantly: are you protected if something goes wrong?
Here are four risks businesses commonly face in the summer and how a proactive security plan can prevent losses, protect employees, and reduce liability.
1. Increased Theft and Vandalism
Summer brings more people out and about—including those looking for easy targets. Businesses in retail, hospitality, or urban settings often see a rise in opportunistic crimes like theft, vandalism, loitering, or break-ins during this time of year. Long daylight hours, high pedestrian traffic, and unlocked doors or windows can create the perfect storm for incidents.
If your business still relies on outdated cameras, lacks on-site surveillance, or doesn’t have clear deterrents in place, now is the time to re-evaluate.
How to Protect Your Business:
- Upgrade your surveillance system with high-resolution cameras and 24/7 remote monitoring so you can spot suspicious activity in real time.
- Deter forced entry with our Smash & Grab mitigation solutions, designed to slow intruders and minimize damage.
- Deploy uniformed or armed officers as a visible deterrent. Security officers on-site can help prevent issues before they escalate and serve as trained responders if incidents do occur.
Do I need both cameras and guards?
It depends on your location and risk level. Surveillance footage provides evidence and visibility, but a live security presence adds immediate response and deterrence. A layered approach is often best.
2. Vacant Offices and Shift Gaps
From flexible summer schedules to employees on vacation, businesses often operate at reduced capacity during July and August. And that can mean periods of time when your space is left unoccupied or your team is too thin to notice if something’s wrong.
Empty offices, unmonitored warehouses, and after-hours vulnerabilities can all become targets for unauthorized entry, internal theft, or safety issues that go unnoticed.
How to Protect Your Business:
- Fill staffing gaps with temporary security officer coverage to maintain eyes on the property at all times.
- Implement access control systems so you know who’s coming and going—and when.
- Set up remote video monitoring that alerts you to motion or activity in sensitive areas, even when no one is physically on site.
Is temporary security worth the investment?
Yes, especially if you’re operating with minimal staff or managing high-value inventory. Short-term security can be scaled to your needs and offers peace of mind during the most vulnerable weeks of the year.
3. Construction Projects and Outdoor Hazards
Summer is a popular time for building upgrades, renovations, or exterior maintenance. But anytime contractors, new entry points, or expensive equipment are involved, the risk to your property increases. Construction zones are often chaotic, and without security, it’s hard to know who’s on site or if anything has been tampered with after hours.
How to Protect Your Business:
- Restrict access to authorized personnel with ID badges or checkpoints, and clearly mark all boundaries with signage.
- Install mobile surveillance units or temporary video monitoring to keep an eye on job sites 24/7.
- Deploy roving security patrols who can monitor equipment, check for trespassers, and respond to emergencies.
Do my contractors handle their own security?
Not usually. General contractors may secure their tools, but broader site protection is typically the business owner’s responsibility, especially after hours or in high-traffic areas.
4. Summer Events and Crowds
Hosting a summer gathering or participating in a public event? Whether it’s a company picnic, street festival, open house, or community fundraiser, events introduce unique risks. High foot traffic, parking concerns, and unpredictable crowd behavior can quickly spiral without a security plan in place.
Even internal company events like BBQs or employee outings benefit from an extra layer of oversight.
How to Protect Your Business:
- Hire trained event security officers who know how to de-escalate tense situations, manage crowds, and keep guests safe.
- Assess the site in advance for potential vulnerabilities, emergency exit points, and access control.
- Establish a communications plan for your staff and vendors, so everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Do I need permits or coordination with law enforcement?
Depending on the size and location of your event, this may be the case. Advantage Security can help you navigate those logistics and ensure your bases are covered.
Make Summer the Season You Get Ahead of Risk
Whether you need ongoing coverage or short-term support, Advantage Security is here to help you protect your business from seasonal threats and beyond. Our team has decades of experience securing commercial properties, event spaces, construction sites, and office buildings across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Let’s talk about how to strengthen your summer security plan. Contact us today for a custom assessment.