Every summer, industrial parks across Spain become the perfect stage for organized crime. Staffing cuts, the downturn in nighttime traffic, and the buildup of goods ahead of the vacation shutdown create a combination of factors that criminal groups systematically take advantage of.
Industrial buildings are the most vulnerable business segment for security incidents, accounting for 36% of all alarm activations registered among business customers of the alarm company ADT. A figure that worsens during the summer months, when activity at these facilities drops to its lowest.
Organized theft costs retailers and logistics in Spain about €1.8 billion annually, and more than half of these crimes are committed by organized gangs that choose their targets with precision, according to AECOC.
Fewer Staff on Site and Surveillance
Organized groups take advantage of the summer shutdown because companies have fewer workers, which reduces on-site presence and the ability to respond to incidents. Additionally, industrial parks, already distant from urban centers, become almost deserted at night and on weekends.
These groups’ actions are not left to chance. They typically conduct pre-visit surveys to study the facilities, use signal inhibitors to block alarm communications, and act mainly during weekend nights and long weekends, times of lower activity in the parks.
“The summer brings together all the factors that an organized group looks for to gain an advantage—empty facilities, lightly trafficked parks, and goods stored inside the buildings. It’s a predictable pattern, and that’s precisely why there are concrete measures to counter it,” says José González Osma, CEO of ADT. “The problem is that many companies don’t review them until it’s already too late.“
Measures to Protect an Industrial Facility in Summer
Industrial facilities can accumulate security vulnerabilities that, more often than not, are not addressed with the necessary lead time. Therefore, preparing protection systems before the summer shutdown is decisive. ADT’s security experts point out several essential measures for warehouses and plants to face the summer period with the right level of protection:
- Install alarm systems with dual communication channels that are anti-inhibition or Crash Signal technology. Installing a multi-channel alarm with such security ensures that communications with the Alarm Receiving Center (ARC) stay up even if criminals attempt to sabotage protection, due to redundancies in communication. In addition, Crash Signal technology acts as a security layer for the security system itself. It enables an alarm signal to reach the ARC even if the control panel has been destroyed by the intruder and could not emit any alarm. When an intruder enters the property, an entry delay is transmitted, after which another disarm signal should be received at the end of the entry delay. If the thief had time to locate and damage the panel, delaying the disarm signal, the system notifies the ARC, which then alerts the police.
- Enable intelligent video surveillance with advanced analytics for perimeters and access points. Loading/unloading zones, back entrances, and exterior storage areas are the most vulnerable. Using advanced video intelligence systems allows real-time movement tracking, perimetral intrusion detection, pattern recognition to avoid false alarms, and detection of loitering.
- Integrate alarm systems with visual verification cameras. Connected, these systems can automatically start recordings and send images to confirm the incident immediately, speeding up police response. AI-enabled video analytics can identify and distinguish movements of people, vehicles, or animals. If movement of a person is detected, the signal can be sent directly to the ARC, turning the camera into a security device.
- Protect the perimeter with exterior sensors and cameras. Perimeter security allows detecting the intruder before they reach the building, improving response capabilities and reducing risk and damage through continuous protection.
- Remote management and 24/7 monitoring. A team of professionals available around the clock ensures every signal is received and verified in seconds and in real time by a trained specialist, who discards false alarms and ensures immediate, prioritized police notification only when real. This multiplies the effectiveness of the response.
“Industrial security isn’t a permanent state, but a process that must adapt to changing circumstances, and summer is one of the most predictable periods of the year,” explains José González Osma, ADT’s CEO. “Solutions such as advanced video surveillance with video verification and AI analytics help maintain a real level of protection, even when industrial parks scale back activity to a minimum, which helps ensure business continuity and avoids unpleasant surprises when returning from vacation.”
