The really smart solutions are not the most expensive solutions

A large shoe factory in Eastern Hungary turned to us for help because after the regular stock check they found that there was a shortage of inventory of finished products, suggesting that products are being stolen. Moreover, the problem has existed for many years,

• despite the fact that they had double the number of security personnel following up on the proposal of a security firm;
• despite the regular night-time patrol service on site;
• despite the tightened security checks of shift workers;
• despite being more careful with detailed checking of dispatches leaving the site;
• despite the installation of a security camera system.

Our company started addressing the problem by analyzing the situation:

• screening the factory’s physical protection system,
• analyzing the internal processes and finding the gaps in the shell protection of the site
• finding those weak gaps in the handling processes which were especially prone to be exploited.

Having visited the factory site we did not recommend to tighten the security of the main gates of the factory, nor did we advise them to invest in expensive security enhancements.

We proposed the following three changes:

• In keeping with the fire protection rules, a couple of windows are to be sealed and equipped with motion sensors and silent alarms detecting tamper thus preventing the workers from approaching the rear fence unseen (the fence was located in the blind spot of the surveillance cameras).
• Realign or relocate some security cameras to optimize their viewing angle to cover possible blind spots.
• Security checks are to be carried out in security zones right outside the locker rooms instead of at the main gate of the factory. By not checking bags and coats, just the work wear, the company saves time and can ultimately reduce the number of security personnel they employ.

After the proposed changes the thefts ceased, the shortage of inventory did not reoccur, and a couple of weeks later even one of the perpetrators were caught who knew that the doors and windows were sealed, but did not know about the silent alarm and the motion sensor. Police inquiries revealed that the stolen goods left the plant for months through the rear windows: a couple of workers simply threw the shoes out to the wheat field behind the factory where their accomplices picked them up under the cover of the night.