How to Secure High-Value Assets: Beyond the Basics

Home security is important for everyone, but if you own the likes of heirloom jewellery, works of art, rare collectables or high value electronics, then there’s going to be a need for you to go beyond basic security measures to protect these assets.

In this post we are exploring the subject of safeguarding high value assets courtesy of advanced physical and electronic security measures, providing all the expert guidance you need to protect everything that matters to you, not just from theft, but also other less-considered threats.

High value assets: understanding the risks

There are certain assets that are specifically targeted by burglars purely because they are high value. Such assets may include:

• Heirloom and antique jewellery
• Designer watches
• Designer accessories, such as handbags, sunglasses and belts
• Designer clothing
• Rare collectables, such as coins, postage stamps, contemporary art, comics and sports memorabilia, vintage porcelain and glassware and vinyl records

When it comes to protecting assets like these, the risks can vary significantly depending on the nature of the item and where it is stored.

Burglary and theft are the most obvious threats, but there are also risks from damage due to environmental factors, accidental loss, and even targeted attacks by individuals aware of the assets’ value.

Heirloom and antique jewellery for example, typically stored in jewellery boxes or private safes, is a prime target for opportunistic thieves. These items are small, portable, and easily hidden, making them easy to steal and difficult to trace once they’re gone.

If these valuables are not secured in a high-quality, robust insurance-graded safe, they can be quickly snatched during a break-in.

And then there are storage conditions to factor in. Excessive humidity, or exposure to water damage, can also lead to gradual deterioration or loss of value, making humidity controlled and flood resistant safes a valuable addition to the security armoury.

Similarly, designer accessories and clothing, often stored in walk-in wardrobes or dressing rooms, are at risk not only from theft, but also from accidental damage such as spills, moth infestations, or environmental wear.

Because these items are typically larger and often stored in more accessible areas of the home, they are more visible to anyone who gains entry, increasing the likelihood of theft.

And then we have rare collectibles, often displayed in living rooms or studies. These face the risk of environmental damage such as sunlight exposure, humidity, or improper handling.

They are also particularly vulnerable to theft during targeted burglaries, especially if their existence is known to individuals outside of the household. Collectors often take pride in displaying their items, which unfortunately makes them more accessible and visible to potential thieves.

So, while burglary remains the most significant threat to high-value assets, the specific risks can vary greatly depending on the type of asset and its storage location.

This is why it’s so important to invest in a well-rounded security strategy, ensuring each asset type is adequately protected from the unique risks it faces.

Advanced physical security measures for high value assets

There are various physical security measures that lend themselves to protecting high value assets:

High security safes

There are many different options in terms of safes, from fire resistant safes designed to withstand fire for anything between 30 and 120 minutes, to flood-proof and humidity controlled safes to protect against damaging environmental conditions. Insurance rated and approved safes and vaults are guaranteed to meet insurance requirements, and are ideal for protecting smaller items, such as jewellery, watches and personal electronics.

Custom made vaults

For the most advanced security needs, a custom-built vault will offer peace of mind. Vaults can be designed to house large collections, larger electronics or any other particularly valuable items, and made to fit any size requirements.

Reinforced doors and windows

Your first line of defence against break-ins is a high security door. Reinforcing your existing doors and windows with steel door-sets and frames to make them more robust is one solution, or alternatively you can replace your doors with a custom designed solid core door, made from metal or timber.

Security bars and grilles

Discreet security bars and grilles on windows and doors can be a highly effective deterrent to potential intruders, as well as physically protecting vulnerable entry points. There is no need to compromise on aesthetics either, because modern bars and grilles are easily designed to be appealing in design, as well as robust in protection.

Lockable display cabinets and wardrobes

If you are set on displaying your collectables, a lockable cabinet system provides the best of both worlds, showcasing your collection, whilst protecting it from theft, as well as environmental threats.

And for your designer clothing and accessory collection, why not invest in a lockable, climate-controlled wardrobe? Not only will it keep your high value items out of sight and inaccessible to intruders, it will also protect it from the likes of damaging humidity.

Advanced electronic security measures for high value assets

In addition to physical security measures, there is a range of options to protect your high value items in terms of electronic security.

Remote monitoring

High-definition CCTV systems with remote monitoring will allow you to keep an eye on your assets round the clock.

Remote monitoring uses advanced technology to manage security systems from a distance, bringing together CCTV cameras, sensors and alarms and connecting them to a central monitoring station, or via smart technology directly to your devices.

Smart sensors

Smart sensors fitted to doors and windows, plus motion and presence sensors, send alerts to your smart device in the event of unexpected movement in your property.

They can also be set to trigger useful actions, such as the switching on of lights or a TV in the event of a potential break-in, to make it look like someone is home.

Advanced alarm systems

Advanced alarm systems use artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices, such as sensors, thermostats and cameras, to monitor changes within an environment.

Anything that’s not within ‘normal’ conditions will automatically trigger an appropriate alarm or alert.

Advanced alarm systems don’t only protect against intruders. They will also alert homeowners to potential threats from smoke and fire, weather events and potentially damaging environmental conditions, as well as unhealthy indoor air quality.

Ready to go beyond the basics to protect your high value assets? Barry Bros Security is at your service.

Barry Bros Security has been providing security advice to London homeowners for over 75 years.

If you have high value assets you are looking to secure, you can rely on our experts to come up with the perfect, tailor-made solution to provide you with the protection, and the peace of mind you need.

Please feel free to visit at our London showroom where our friendly security specialists will be able to attend to you personally, or give us a call. We look forward to being of assistance.