The Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Framework (CB-SRAF): Score Your Business Before Criminals Do

Is Your Business Really Secure?

Most business owners believe they’re protected because they have locks, cameras, or an alarm system. But security isn’t just about having equipment. It’s about understanding where your business is most vulnerable.

Two businesses can have the same security cameras and alarm system, yet one experiences repeated theft while the other operates for years without an incident.

Why?

Because risk is different for every business.

That’s why we created the Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Framework (CB-SRAF)—a practical scoring system designed to help business owners measure their security risk using everyday business factors instead of guesswork.

Unlike generic online checklists, this framework gives your business a score out of 100, making it easier to identify weak areas and prioritize improvements.

Whether you own a retail store, warehouse, office, construction site, restaurant, or manufacturing facility, this Calgary business security risk assessment can help you make smarter security decisions.

What Is the Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Framework (CB-SRAF)?

The Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Framework (CB-SRAF) is a simple scoring model that evaluates seven areas that commonly influence business security.

Each category contributes points toward a total score of 100.

A higher score means a higher security risk.

The framework focuses on real business operations instead of complicated security jargon, making it useful for business owners, property managers, and facility supervisors.

The CB-SRAF Scoring Categories

1. Business Location (20 Points)

Location plays one of the biggest roles in any Calgary business security risk assessment.

Business owners can also review local crime trends published by the Calgary Police Service to better understand risks in their area.

Ask yourself:

• Is your business located in a busy commercial area?
• Is the property isolated after business hours?
• Is the parking lot well-lit?
• Are there hidden entrances?
• Does the property have poor visibility from nearby roads?

Scoring

• Low-risk area with excellent lighting — 5 points
• Average commercial area — 10 points
• Moderate crime concerns — 15 points
• Frequent theft or vandalism nearby — 20 points

Businesses operating in industrial areas or locations with limited nighttime activity often benefit from additional Mobile patrols and after-hours monitoring.

2. Operating Hours (10 Points)

Businesses open for extended hours naturally have more exposure.

Questions to consider:

• Do employees open early?
• Is the business open late at night?
• Is anyone working overnight?
• Does the building remain empty for long periods?

Scoring

• Daytime only — 2 points
• Evening operations — 5 points
• Overnight shifts — 8 points
• 24/7 business — 10 points

The longer your property is active—or left unattended—the greater the opportunity for security incidents.

3. Cash Handling (15 Points)

Cash remains a major attraction for criminals.

Evaluate:

• Does your business accept mostly cash?
• Are deposits made at predictable times?
• Is cash stored overnight?
• Is there a secure safe?

Scoring

• Mostly digital payments — 3 points
• Limited cash transactions — 6 points
• Regular cash handling — 10 points
• Large daily cash volume — 15 points

Even businesses that primarily accept card payments should review cash-handling procedures regularly.

4. Public Access (15 Points)

The more people who can freely enter your property, the more difficult it becomes to monitor activity.

Consider:

• Multiple entrances
• Public waiting areas
• Customer access to storage spaces
• Delivery entrances
• Visitor management

Scoring

• Restricted access — 3 points
• One public entrance — 6 points
• Multiple public entrances — 10 points
• High daily public traffic — 15 points

Controlling access doesn’t mean making customers uncomfortable. It means knowing who is entering, where they can go, and how movement is monitored.

5. Employees & Staffing (10 Points)

People are one of the strongest security assets—but only if proper procedures are in place.

Review:

• Staff turnover
• Security training
• Closing procedures
• Key management
• Visitor policies

Scoring

• Regular security training — 2 points
• Basic procedures — 5 points
• Limited training — 8 points
• No security procedures — 10 points

Many security incidents happen because of simple mistakes rather than deliberate actions.

6. Previous Security Incidents (15 Points)

Past incidents often reveal future vulnerabilities.

Think about the last three years.

Have you experienced:

• Break-ins?
• Shoplifting?
• Vehicle theft?
• Graffiti?
• Employee theft?
• Vandalism?

Scoring

• No incidents — 2 points
• One minor incident — 5 points
• Several incidents — 10 points
• Repeated incidents — 15 points

If the same issue happens more than once, it’s often a sign that a security gap hasn’t been fully addressed.

7. Inventory Value (15 Points)

High-value inventory increases the potential impact of theft.

Examples include:

• Electronics
• Construction equipment
• Pharmaceuticals
• Luxury goods
• Automotive parts
• Copper wire
• Specialized tools

Scoring

• Low-value inventory — 3 points
• Moderate inventory value — 6 points
• Expensive inventory — 10 points
• High-value inventory with easy resale — 15 points

The easier an item is to resell, the more attractive it can become to thieves.

Calculate Your Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Score

Add the points from each category.

Example Assessment

Let’s score a fictional business.

Business: Industrial Equipment Warehouse

Location: 16

Operating Hours: 8

Cash Handling: 5

Public Access: 9

Employees: 8

Past Incidents: 13

Inventory Value: 15

Final Score

16 + 8 + 5 + 9 + 8 + 13 + 15 = 74

Your Business Scores 74/100

What Does 74 Mean?

A score of 74 places the business in the High Risk category.

The biggest concerns are:

• Valuable inventory
• Previous theft incidents
• Long operating hours
• Industrial location
• Limited employee security training

Instead of investing in every security product available, the business should focus on improving these highest-risk areas first.

Need help reducing your score? The security professionals at Enfield Security Services can perform an on-site assessment and recommend solutions tailored to your business and industry.

How to Reduce Your Score

The purpose of the Calgary business security risk assessment isn’t simply to assign a number. It’s to highlight opportunities for improvement.

Here are practical ways to lower your score:

• Improve outdoor lighting around entrances and parking areas.
• Limit access to storage and staff-only areas.
• Train employees to recognize suspicious activity.
• Employee awareness programs are one of the most effective ways to reduce workplace security risks. Resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) can help businesses build stronger workplace safety practices.
• Review opening and closing procedures.
• Install monitored security cameras in vulnerable locations.
• Use access control for restricted areas.
• Schedule regular mobile patrols after business hours.
• Secure high-value inventory behind locked barriers.
• Conduct annual security reviews instead of waiting for an incident.

Even small operational changes can significantly reduce overall risk.

Why Every Business Should Complete a Security Risk Assessment

Many businesses wait until after a theft to review their security.

A proactive Calgary business security risk assessment helps identify vulnerabilities before they become costly problems.

It also supports better budgeting by showing where security investments will have the greatest impact.

Rather than relying on assumptions, business owners can make decisions based on measurable risk.

Final Thoughts

Security isn’t just about cameras, alarms, or guards. It’s about understanding where your business is exposed and taking practical steps to reduce those risks.

The Calgary Business Security Risk Assessment Framework (CB-SRAF) gives business owners a straightforward way to evaluate their operations using seven real-world factors. By assigning a score out of 100, it becomes easier to prioritize improvements instead of relying on guesswork.

Whether you manage a retail store, office, warehouse, restaurant, or construction site, completing a Calgary business security risk assessment can help you strengthen protection, reduce potential losses, and make more informed security decisions.

The best time to measure your risk is before an incident occurs—not after.