There is so much to think about when you run a hospitality business, from bills and stock levels to hygiene and safety. It’s easy for security to drop off the list when you’re busy with the day-to-day, but this factor should never be overlooked.

Reports say theft in Australia reached a 21 year high in 2025, and with so many people coming and going, your venue is an easy target for opportunistic and organised thieves. There is also physical security to consider, with the risk of your patrons’ behaviour getting out of control.

The security needs of your hospitality venue are specific to its type, location and patrons. This article explains which policies, practices and devices will protect you from loss.

Hospitality venue security: what you need to know

• Hospitality venues face unique security risks, including theft, break-ins, aggressive patrons and unauthorised access.
• CCTV cameras should cover key areas, including entrances, cash registers, bars, storerooms and delivery points.
• Monitored alarms, fog security and access control can help prevent theft and protect your venue after hours.
• Staff safety is essential, with duress devices, body cameras and safe cash-handling procedures providing additional protection.
• Security systems should be tailored to your venue, taking into account its size, trading hours, specific risks and legal requirements.

Why hospitality venues need specialised security

Unlike retail businesses, hospitality venues have people moving through multiple areas. Customers enter through the front, suppliers use delivery entrances, staff access storerooms and managers handle cash after closing.

Pubs and clubs face additional risks associated with alcohol service, late trading and aggressive behaviour.

As a first measure to reduce the risk of theft, Safe Work Australia recommends limiting the cash kept on site. It’s also important to control access to tills and entry points, train your team on conflict resolution, avoid having workers alone on shift and provide ways for them to call for help if they need to.

It’s unfortunate that theft can come from within, so train your staff on your security policies, be clear on the consequences and let them know what to look out for.

In terms of your site’s physical security, consider the following:

1. CCTV cameras: Focus on strategic coverage

CCTV is an important part of hospitality security, but effective coverage depends on placement.

Priority locations include:

• Entrances and exits: Cameras should record customers and staff entering and leaving.
• Cash registers: Monitor transactions and cash handling.
• Delivery entrances: Protect less visible access points.
• Bars and busy areas: Capture footage of potential incidents.
• Storerooms and offices: Monitor valuable stock, equipment and cash.

Pubs and clubs may also need cameras near smoking areas, outdoor entertainment spaces and crowd control points.

Camera positioning should account for lighting and potential blind spots. Read our guide to security camera installation for more information.

Note: CCTV must comply with applicable privacy and surveillance laws. Cameras should never be installed in private areas such as toilets or change rooms.

2. Monitored alarms & fog security: Protect your venue after hours

Hospitality venues are particularly vulnerable to break-ins after closing.

An intruder alarm detects unauthorised entry, and professional monitoring provides an additional layer of protection. When activated, the system alerts a monitoring centre, allowing operators to follow agreed response procedures.

Depending on your premises, alarm protection may include door contacts, motion detectors and sensors protecting vulnerable entry points.

Larger pubs and clubs may benefit from separate alarm zones, allowing authorised staff to access selected areas without leaving the entire building unprotected.

Depending on the size of your venue, fog security could be an option. This quickly limits visibility inside a space, confusing thieves and preventing them from finding what they are looking for. The fog used is non-toxic and safe for food, people, animals, electronics, and stock.

3. Access control: Restrict back-of-house entry

With employees, contractors and delivery drivers moving through your venue, controlling access to restricted areas is essential.

Electronic access control systems use PIN codes, keycards or electronic credentials to manage entry. For example, restaurants can restrict access to liquor storerooms and cash offices, while allowing kitchen staff to use designated entrances.

Individual credentials also make it easier to remove access when employees leave.

Prioritise areas containing cash, valuable stock or sensitive information rather than installing electronic access control on every door.

4. Duress devices: Protect staff during incidents

CCTV records incidents, but employees facing immediate threats from patrons may need a way to request assistance.

Duress watches or pendants allow workers to discreetly alert designated staff or a monitoring service. They're particularly useful for employees handling cash late at night, dealing with aggressive patrons or working alone.

Body cameras are another option to reduce the risk of incidents, especially for your security guards. Devices should complement adequate staffing, conflict management training and safe closing procedures.

What security systems does your hospitality venue actually need?

You need to think about security as much as the layout of your venue and the staff you hire.

Small restaurants and cafés

Smaller venues generally need CCTV covering entrances and payment areas, an intruder alarm, secure storage and safe closing procedures. Duress pendants and watches may be helpful, depending on the risk of incidents.

Pubs and late-trading bars

Pubs and bars may require additional CCTV, monitored alarms, restricted back-of-house access and duress devices.

Clubs and large entertainment venues

Larger venues often benefit from comprehensive CCTV coverage, multiple alarm zones, electronic access control and integrated alerts. Investing in fog security may be worthwhile if large areas with valuable items are often left unattended.

Are CCTV cameras legally required in licensed venues?

CCTV requirements vary across Australia depending on liquor licences, trading hours and individual licence conditions.

For example, Business Queensland requires CCTV in licensed venues trading after 1 am within the Brisbane City Council area. In NSW, Liquor & Gaming NSW explains that venues may have additional licence conditions.

Where CCTV is mandatory, requirements may cover recording quality, camera placement, footage retention and equipment maintenance.

Always check your venue's current licence conditions before installing or upgrading equipment.