Fortifications are some of the oldest examples of security that are still in use today. Much like the walls and ceilings of a home keep out the elements, an effective fortification can repel or deter someone from entering your property and taking what is rightfully yours.
This basic principle has not changed much in the thousands of years since, and today, we utilize fortifications for much the same purpose. For licensed cannabis operators (LCOs), creating a network of layered physical protection is essential in slowing or even deterring offenders from breaching your facility.
At a minimum, your facility’s fortifications should slow down offenders as much as possible to provide law enforcement time to arrive on-site, as Chris Eggers of CCSS explains in Chapter 16 of his book Securing Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide To Increase Security, Reduce Costs, Reduce Liability, and Avoid Landmines. With enough barriers between the bad guys and what they want, you can simply run out the clock between the breach attempt and the arrival of law enforcement.
The chapter continues by listing the different types of fortifications and providing examples of each. Walls, barriers, windows, doors, landscaping, and even light fixtures are all classified as fortifications.
The fortifications needed to secure a facility are unique and depend on various factors, including geography, building design, and access control plans. Determining which rooms need greater protection vs. which can be lightly fortified is an essential part of the planning process and can help save considerable resources in the long run.
The chapter goes on to detail the complications associated with creating effective fortifications. Each layer must work synergistically with the rest of the security system, ensuring that employees have easy access while denying it to potential intruders. You also have non-security concerns that need to be addressed, including ensuring that your fortifications are compliant with regulations regarding accessibility, fire code, and insurance policies.
As with any other part of the security system, the vendor you use for your fortifications can significantly affect their costs and effectiveness. By working with a specialized cannabis security solutions provider, LCOs gain access to a network of trusted vendors that can provide higher-quality products and services at a far more reasonable price point.
The chapter ends with a comprehensive checklist for helping determine how you can create a new system of fortifications or reinforce an existing one. To gain access to this checklist, as well as every other piece of information you need to create an effective and compliant security system, we recommend checking out the full book. Securing Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide To Increase Security, Reduce Costs, Reduce Liability, and Avoid Landmines is now available here!
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