The holiday season brings celebrations, travel, and well-deserved downtime, but it also presents elevated security risks for commercial properties. With reduced staffing, altered business hours, and an increase in opportunistic crime, facility managers and building owners must take proactive steps to safeguard their assets.
At SecureConnect, we support organizations nationwide in strengthening their physical security posture. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Holiday Facility Security Checklist to ensure your building remains protected throughout the season.
Verify All Access Control Systems
Before the holidays:
- Audit user access levels to ensure only authorized personnel have active credentials.
- Suspend or remove temporary/seasonal access badges that are no longer needed.
- Review holiday schedules in your access control software to confirm doors lock and unlock automatically at the correct times.
- Test door hardware, card readers, and intercoms for proper function.
Tip from SecureConnect: Many incidents occur due to outdated or excessive credentials. An access audit is one of the simplest, highest-impact steps you can take.
Assess and Optimize Video Surveillance Coverage
Your cameras work around the clock, especially when your staff doesn’t.
- Confirm all cameras are online and recording properly.
- Review footage quality to ensure clear nighttime visibility.
- Check that critical areas such as loading docks, parking lots, main entrances, and rooftops are adequately covered.
- Ensure remote viewing access is set up for facility leads who may travel during the holidays.
Reinforce Perimeter Security
With fewer people onsite, the exterior becomes your first line of defense.
- Inspect fencing, gates, lighting, and landscaping for vulnerabilities.
- Install or replace burned-out exterior lights, a well-lit property deters unwanted activity.
- Verify that loading bays and dock doors are secured during closures.
- If applicable, notify your security patrol services of adjusted holiday hours.
Implement Alarm System Readiness Checks
Your intrusion alarms and environmental sensors should be on full alert when your workforce is away.
- Test motion detectors, glass-break sensors, and door contacts.
- Confirm alarm monitoring contacts and escalation lists are up to date.
- Review response protocols with your monitoring provider.
- Ensure backup power sources are functional.
Pro tip: If you’re closing operations for several days, enable enhanced alarm settings for heightened sensitivity.
Prepare Tenants, Employees, and Vendors
Holiday safety relies not just on technology, but on people knowing what to expect. A quick communication push can prevent confusion and uncover security gaps.
- Share holiday security policies and adjusted hours with all tenants or departments.
- Provide instructions for holiday access (e.g., badge-only doors, limited entrances).
- Remind staff to secure personal devices and valuables before the break.
- Establish clear guidelines for package deliveries, which often surge during the season.
Conduct a Walkthrough Before Closing
Before your last team member leaves for the holiday:
- Do a full interior and exterior sweep.
- Verify all windows, offices, storage rooms, and mechanical spaces are locked.
- Power down nonessential equipment that could trigger false alarms.
- Make sure server rooms and high-value spaces have additional checks in place.
This simple walkthrough frequently reveals overlooked doors, lights, or processes.
Create a Holiday Emergency Plan
Even with thorough preparation, emergencies can happen.
Your plan should include:
- Key contacts for security vendors, facility staff, and local authorities.
- Procedures for after-hours entry or emergency building access.
- Clear instructions for responding to incidents, weather events, or system failures.
- A communication flow for stakeholders and tenants.
A well-defined plan ensures swift action when time matters most.
Stay Secure All Season Long with SecureConnect
At SecureConnect, we help organizations nationwide reduce risk through modern, integrated security solutions tailored to each facility’s needs. Whether you’re preparing for the holidays or enhancing year-round protection, our team is here to support you with:
- Professional security assessments
- Access control and video surveillance solutions
- Monitoring services
- Emergency response planning
- Ongoing system maintenance
A secure building brings peace of mind so you can focus on what the season is truly about.
Contact SecureConnect Nationwide Services
📞 870-942-2502
✉️ info@secureconnectusa.com
