{"id":12719,"date":"2018-04-05T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/?p=12719"},"modified":"2026-03-19T12:05:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T17:05:05","slug":"factors-for-storage-area-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/05\/factors-for-storage-area-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Factors for Storage Area Security"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33857\" src=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/locking-partition-warehouse-AS1017615799.jpg\" alt=\"man locking door in warehouse partition\" width=\"566\" height=\"475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/locking-partition-warehouse-AS1017615799.jpg 566w, https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/locking-partition-warehouse-AS1017615799-300x252.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><br \/>\nAlthough security experts agree that dock areas are probably the largest security concern in a warehousing operation, storage and picking areas are also a problem. What are some things you can do to reduce your pilferage risks?<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<aside class=\"tldr-summary\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px 15px 25px; margin-bottom: 50px; border-radius: 15px; border: 2px solid #e4dddd; margin: 4px 10px 4px 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19);\" data-type=\"summary\">\n<h4>TL;DR \u2013 Key factors for securing warehouse inventory<\/h4>\n<p>Securing warehouse inventory against pilferage requires identifying high-potential targets\u2014specifically items with a high &#8220;cost-per-ounce&#8221; that are easily concealable and desirable, such as electronics, tools, or high-value foods.<\/p>\n<p>Effective segmentation strategies include storing bulk items in high-bay rack positions to prevent ground-level access, installing wire security cages with card reader locks for limited egress, and utilizing modular storage drawers for small, valuable components.<\/p>\n<p>By restricting access based on value and desirability, facilities can significantly reduce theft without compromising overall operational flow.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n  \"headline\": \"Factors for Storage Area Security\",\n  \"name\": \"Factors for Storage Area Security\",\n  \"description\": \"Securing warehouse inventory requires identifying high-value, easily concealable targets and restricting access through segmentation. Strategies include using high-bay rack storage, wire security cages with restricted access, and modular lockable drawers to protect tools and valuable inventory.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/05\/factors-for-storage-area-security\",\n  \"datePublished\": \"2018-04-05\",\n  \"author\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Person\",\n    \"name\": \"Scott Stone\"\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Security is difficult when access is universal<\/h3>\n<p>In fact, security is impossible when people who should not be in an area have easy access to it. In a warehouse environment, that&#8217;s sometimes difficult due to the fact that so many order pickers, forklift drivers, management personnel, visitors and others need access at various times. But you can control it at least to some degree.<\/p>\n<h4>Know what to guard<\/h4>\n<p>First, let&#8217;s talk about what gets pilfered. While a 100-pound component can be stolen, it&#8217;s usually smaller items.:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;When a product has a high per pound value, is easily disposed of through selling, trading or pawning, and is an enjoyable item to own, you have all the ingredients for theft.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 500px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/warehouse-access-gate.jpg\" alt=\"warehouse access gate mounted to racks\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Above: using gates to control access to a guarded area.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>The factors for restricting inventory access<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"float: right; width: 100%; max-width: 300px; height: auto; margin-left: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/images\/albums\/CageGallery\/RackCage-SlidingDoor.jpg\" alt=\"rack security cage\" \/><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Is it valuable, desirable or potentially something people can easily sell?<\/li>\n<li>Is it transportable? So large that taking it becomes difficult?<\/li>\n<li>Can it be easily concealed and transported?<\/li>\n<li>Can you segment it from stock that&#8217;s not a target?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A good example of valued, concealable, desirable inventory is tobacco products in a grocery distribution center. Cigarettes are small, easy to hide, and easy to move. They are a high-priority target, so they should be secured differently than, say, bags of dog food or cases of paper towels &#8212; things that aren&#8217;t that expensive, not as desirable, and not as easy to hide, transport or sell.<\/p>\n<p>People who are inclined to steal may target dog food and tissues, but their opportunities to do so are limited by the size of the items and the relatively low cost per ounce. Grocery distribution companies typically segment tobacco and guard access to it for that reason.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px; border-radius: 15px; border: 2px solid #E4DDDD; margin: 4px 10px 4px 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19);\">\n<h3>What are the high-potential pilferage targets in warehouses and industrial facilities?<\/h3>\n<p>Anything that&#8217;s small, easy to conceal, has some value to sell, or is desirable to people working in your facility. What are some of the known, highly desirable and frequently targeted items?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alcohol &#8211; <\/strong>due to its relatively high value, desirability and package or bottle sizes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tools and instruments &#8211;<\/strong> high value, low weight, compact sizes. Tools are a frequent pilferage target.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Electronics or electrical components &#8211;<\/strong> particularly those that command value when sold or be in demand as consumer devices<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medication or pharmaceuticals &#8211;<\/strong> these are in a different class in terms of security due to DEA regulations on some items. Specialty cages must be used to secure them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cannabis or marijuana in medical or recreational dispensaries &#8211;<\/strong> since the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in many states, security has become.<\/li>\n<li><strong>High-value foods &#8211;<\/strong> in grocery distribution, tobacco tends to be the top target, but other valuable or desirable foods are always a target.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jewelry &#8211;<\/strong> compact, easy to conceal and typically very valuable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Firearms or ammunition &#8211;<\/strong> prices on guns and ammunition are always high, and many times inventories are low. Ammunition in production and distribution facilities must be secured for safety reasons as well as theft prevention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><em>Think of it this way: can someone easily remove, conceal, use or sell this item? Is it something people want, something that&#8217;s expensive, something that&#8217;s dangerous? If so, consider access restrictions. The cost-per-ounce measure should dictate security priorities<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Methods for segmenting high-value inventory<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"float: right; width: 100%; max-width: 190px; height: auto; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;\" src=\"\/images\/category\/WireCrafters\/security-cage-specification.png\" alt=\"warehouse security cage\" \/><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Store it in upper bay storage rack slots:<\/strong> This is effective particularly for bulk storage of smaller items. Don&#8217;t store pallets on the ground so that anyone walking near can cut a case open. Bulk storage should be in high bay positions where a forklift or order picker is needed to access them. This creates a barrier because it uses location to reduce access.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Store valuable inventory or tools in security cages:<\/strong> Lockable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/813\/wire-partitions\">security cages<\/a> are relatively inexpensive and can be built to work in most any space. Rows of shelving or racks can be segmented away into secure areas, where only authorized personnel can travel. You can even designate card reader locks and other measures that help you identify who was in or out of the secure areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make your rack secure:<\/strong> If your storage area is such that you cannot create a freestanding cage, you can also build in security to racks by using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/763\/rack-security-cages\">rack cages<\/a>. Almost any teardrop style pallet rack can be made secure if it contains high-value inventory.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Utilize modular storage:<\/strong> If your inventory is typically stored in shelving or racks, you can add <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1200\/modular-drawer-shelving-inserts\">lockable modular storage drawers<\/a> to segment particularly valuable items. Many times, these systems are used to segment smaller, more valuable components from bin storage areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use smaller cages:<\/strong> There are many types of security lockers and small cages (some on wheels) that can be locked to protect inventory.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider automation:<\/strong> Some automated systems, like industrial carousels or vertical lift modules, enhance security because product is controlled through the carousel, and difficult to access without authorization.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Track worker traffic:<\/strong> Coded ID badges can be required to enter your secure areas, giving you intelligence on who has access to the controlled area.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lay out storage zones for access control:<\/strong> You can restrict zones by laying them out so they aren&#8217;t in main traffic ways and have limited egress points. If you have a higher value area, don&#8217;t place it in the center of your warehouse where everyone has access.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Read our white paper<\/h3>\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/uploads\/Brochures\/Warehouse-Security-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>warehouse security guide<\/strong><\/a> for more information. You can also see our extensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/720\/security-partitions\">security equipment<\/a> section for details, specifications, video and detailed information.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px; border-radius: 15px; border: 2px solid #E4DDDD; margin: 4px 10px 4px 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19);\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-sm-4\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/uploads\/brochures\/warehouse-security-guide.pdf\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"float: right; width: 100%; max-width: 200px; height: auto; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 18px;\" src=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/SecurityGuideCover.jpg\" alt=\"download the forklift accessory guide\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-sm-8\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<h3>Download our free guide to warehouse security<\/h3>\n<p>Every facility deals with inventory, tool and personal security. You want to maintain access for high-value items while also limiting availability to only those that really need to handle them. Our new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/uploads\/brochures\/warehouse-security-guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to industrial security<\/a>\u00a0is here to help you find the right security options to fit your operations.<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/uploads\/brochures\/warehouse-security-guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em>Download <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> guide today<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although security experts agree that dock areas are probably the largest security concern in a warehousing operation, storage and picking areas are also a problem. What are some things you can do to reduce your pilferage risks?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[871,870,72,869,82],"series":[],"class_list":["post-12719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-warehouse-security","tag-access-control","tag-distribution-center-pilferage","tag-industrial-security","tag-secure-storage","tag-wire-mesh-security-cages"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2027-04-25 17:07:06","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12719"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33929,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12719\/revisions\/33929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12719"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=12719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}