he self-storage industry is evolving rapidly. For years, smart security technologies were limited or unavailable, but now cutting-edge solutions are redefining how facilities operate. These advancements are raising the bar for security, offering real-time remote monitoring, automated access management, and streamlined operations. Integrating these tools into your storage facilities ensures a stronger security posture, improved tenant trust, and a significant boost in operational efficiency.
This section explores the security challenges facing self-storage owner-operators today, as well innovative technologies driving the future of self-storage and how smart technology improves and enhances security. From the latest generation doors, to smart locks for unit security, to advanced smart entry solutions, discover how modern systems are reshaping the industry and helping to dramatically mitigate security concerns. What follows highlights the state of self-storage security in 2024, as well as the future of self-storage, where technology and security converge to create smarter, safer, and more efficient storage environments.
According to a recent self-storage industry survey conducted for MSM and Janus International, 85 percent of respondents felt that theft and break-ins were a primary concern in 2024.
What are the primary security challenges facing owner-operators today?
There are two camps of criminals presenting modern-day security challenges to self-storage. The first are thieves who use quick and simple tactics that require minimal skill. These typically include:
- Cutting latches and padlocks,
- Prying off latches,
- Unscrewing metal paneling on locks, and
- Climbing over unit walls and cutting through wire to access adjacent units.
- When managers are on site,
- Where cameras are located, and
- Where expensive items are stored.
They can use bolt cutters to quickly clean out a unit that is housing cars, motorcycles, or ATVs and then quickly attach a replacement padlock before anyone notices.
With each of these types of break-ins, the traditional security equipment we’ve grown accustomed to in self-storage (padlocks, security cameras, gates, and keypads) is no longer enough to deter the crime.
What makes self-storage properties so vulnerable?
There are five common reasons why some facilities are targeted for break-ins and other crimes.
- Trouble spots – Some states have higher rates of self-storage theft, with Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, and California ranking at the top.
- Soft targets – Many self-storage facilities are in industrial areas or on the outskirts of town, which make them easy targets for criminals who want to operate in locations where they won’t be noticed.
- Windows of opportunity – Many facilities provide 24-hour access to their tenants, which gives criminals more opportunities to case facilities during off hours. One trend that has been reported is criminals renting a unit so they can check out the facility to determine any security lapses on the property. Once they identify a weakness, they hit it hard multiple times, which is why many facilities (57 percent) report multiple break-ins.
- Lack of deterrent – In the big scheme of crime, theft is a lower priority for law enforcement, especially in larger urban areas dealing with a shortage of officers. This leads to many criminals not being arrested or sentences being light. When criminals aren’t afraid of prosecution, there’s no deterrent to stop.
- Lack of sophistication – The safety and security measures at many self-storage facilities haven’t kept up with the criminals in terms of sophistication; many owner-operators who opted to invest their capital in improvements like landscaping and office remodels have come to realize that it’s time to catch up on security as well.
An integrated smart technology solution—in particular, an integrated technology solution that includes industry leading smart locks on all unit doors—enables self-storage owner operators to mitigate the risk of theft and break-ins while also improving visibility to on-site activity.
And while crime is more common and frequent in urban areas, it’s happening everywhere.
- 75 percent of owner-operators in urban areas are concerned (44 percent are extremely concerned).
- 72 percent in suburban areas are concerned (25 percent are extremely concerned).
- 57 percent in rural markets are concerned (25 percent are extremely concerned).
If you look at the statistics, nearly all owner-operators report using security cameras (92 percent), and many use digital access control keypads for entry points (71 percent). However, as criminals become savvier, these methods alone aren’t the deterrents they used to be, especially since 79 percent of facilities report the same high level of break-ins year after year.
So, what security improvements on the market should you chose when planning for new project construction or upgrading existing facilities?
- Upgrading Current Systems – Traditional tools like cameras and keypad systems at points of ingress and egress are not enough of a deterrent to prevent/decrease unit level break-ins.
- Smart Locking Technology – Unit-level smart locks have proven much more effective against unit-level break-ins.
- Better Physical Barriers At The Unit Level – Higher security roll-up doors are now available that are designed to combat the most frequent types of break-in attempts.
Integrated smart locking technology allows your tenants to rent a unit online or from their mobile phone and access the facility and their unit using their mobile device; it also provides real-time visibility into unit status and suspicious activity to owner-operators. Tenants can also leverage this integrated mobile technology to monitor their unit and grant and revoke digital access to family members, employees, or movers.
Industry-leading smart locks also have security-grade motion sensing capabilities built in to further deter theft and break-in attempts and provide meaningful, real-time alerts when there is a motion event occurring inside a unit.
