Retailers invest heavily in surveillance. Cameras are valuable. They deter theft and record incidents. But there is a blind spot in most setups. Surveillance shows what happened. Access control prevents unauthorized entry to critical areas in real time.
At Intense Fire and Burglar Alarms, we design access control systems for employee-only zones, inventory rooms, POS server closets, and loading docks. These are areas where you cannot afford loose access. We use platforms like Brivo and Cantec to help retailers create clear boundaries that protect their products, employees, and operational infrastructure.
Concerned about internal theft or after-hours access?
Access control gives you more than visibility—it gives you control.
Secure your back-of-house today or call us at (317) 970-5770.
Why Surveillance Alone May Not Be Enough
Surveillance cameras are excellent tools for accountability and awareness. But in many retail locations, especially those with high turnover or vendor traffic, cameras are only part of the solution. They can’t stop someone from opening a door they shouldn’t—or explain why they were there in the first place.
Backroom access is often overlooked, even in stores with good front-end coverage. Cleaners, delivery personnel, third-party vendors, and even part-time staff can sometimes access areas where merchandise, cash, and sensitive data are stored. Without real-time access controls and event logs, it is difficult to enforce policies or investigate issues after the fact.
How Access Control Improves Security and Accountability
Access control systems help you manage more than doors. They help manage trust. With our Brivo and Cantec systems, you can issue employee credentials on mobile devices, assign specific permissions, and restrict access based on time of day or department role.
A few examples:
- You can limit access to a cash office or POS server room to only store managers during operating hours.
- Stockroom access can be automatically disabled after closing time.
- Temporary access can be granted to contractors or vendors with a set expiration.
These capabilities make access control not just a security tool, but a business tool. You gain a detailed record of who entered what area and when. If a question comes up—missing inventory, tampered systems, or policy violations—you have a clear audit trail.
Where It Fits in Your Retail Operation
We tailor every access control install to your location, layout, and staffing structure. For some retailers, the biggest vulnerability is the stockroom. For others, it may be the side entry near the receiving dock. In specialty retail, the concern may be securing high-dollar inventory or prescription products. In multi-tenant buildings or strip plazas, the concern could be unwanted cross-traffic between back corridors.
Regardless of layout, access control helps close those gaps. And unlike key-based locks, there is no need to worry about who has copies or whether the door was left unsecured overnight.
You can also integrate access control with your intrusion alarm system. If a door is forced or propped open outside of business hours, the system will trigger a notification or lockdown event depending on how it’s configured. You stay in control, even when you’re not on-site.
Built for Local Retailers
We serve independent retailers, specialty shops, multi-tenant properties, and regional chains across the Indianapolis area. Our solutions are designed for real-world use, and our service is built around local response. We’re fully licensed (LAC000476), members of ESA, and our technicians train to NICET standards.
We understand that retail environments have to balance security with customer experience. Our systems are low-profile, easy to manage, and supported by a team that understands how to work alongside your business—not in the way of it.
Bring Access Control Into Your Security Strategy
Surveillance is valuable, but access control fills in the gaps. It protects your business from internal theft, reduces liability, and reinforces your accountability policies. Most important, it helps keep your back-of-house secure—because what happens there has a direct impact on your bottom line.
If you are managing inventory, restricted customer zones, or high-risk assets in a retail environment, we can help you take the next step toward better protection.
Let’s talk about securing your retail back-of-house.
Contact Intense Fire and Burglar Alarms or call (317) 970-5770 today.
