When most people think of the best ways to safeguard an office or commercial facility, things like alarm systems, reinforced door locks and video surveillance likely immediately come to mind. And while it’s true that the doors are one of the most common access points for thieves, managers who only prioritize securing these conventional entrances and exits are ignoring other key vulnerabilities. In this case, we’re talking about windows, which are arguably an office’s weakest link.

Windows aren’t just a building’s weakest link when it comes to energy and heat/loss gain, and sound transmission, but security as well. And window security is about more than just keeping a facility safe from physical threats, as they can provide a gateway for cyber thieves to “listen” to electronic devices within an office, potentially resulting in stolen data and other confidential information. In this post, we’ll tackle why window security should be emphasized in any office’s security plan and offer solutions on how to deal with common threats.

Window Breakage

The most obvious weak point associated with windows is that their glass can be broken, thereby providing an access point for thieves to enter a facility and take what they want. There are a few obvious ways to prevent burglary via the “smash and grab” method. One, you can install metal bars over the windows, thereby making them much more difficult to access. You could also install a security system that is programed to go off if any breakage is detected. Another option is to have ballistic glass or containment glass installed on any exterior-facing windows. Ballistic glass is designed to stand up to extreme force, while containment glass is designed for enhanced protection during sustained attacks. Both are ideal options when physical security is of the utmost importance.

RF Loss at Windows

RF Threats

It’s estimated that nearly 65 percent of all companies have experienced some sort of web-based attack. These web-based attacks don’t just consist of phishing scams designed to dupe people into revealing confidential personal data or installing malware on their computers, but “electronic eavesdropping” as well. This consists of cyber thieves essentially listening in via radio frequency (RF) emissions from the likes of wireless networks and cell phones to gain access to a company’s database or other information. Most of these hacks are performed by cyber thieves outside of the physical facility. Noting this, RF window films are an ideal solution to enhance your office’s security against RF threats. These films either block or significantly weaken RF emissions outside of a facility. They’re also easy to install, discrete and many provide the additional benefit of blocking UV light. (Further RF protection may include installing radiant barrier rFoil on the walls, or administering RF paint and fabrics in the office.)

Infrared Threats

In addition to protecting against RF threats, businesses should also consider the harm that infrared radiation (IR) emission can cause. Common office devices such as remote controls, cameras, robot control systems, microphones, printers and headsets typically emit IR, which hackers can also use to gain access to a network or confidential information. On that note, we encourage you to take IR security just as seriously as you take RF security. What’s more is you can safeguard your business from such threats in a similar way: with special window films. Many RF window films also work to deaden IR emissions, however not all of them do. Make sure you do your homework on the right films for your office when it comes to both RF and IR.

How secure are your company’s windows? Do you feel confident that they’re providing the protection necessary to safeguard the company you’ve worked so hard to establish, both from physical and cyber threats?