Protos Strategies for Secure Holiday Operations
Why Warehouses Are More Vulnerable During Peak Season
The holiday season is the most critical time of year for warehouses and distribution centers. Consumer demand spikes, fulfillment centers run at maximum capacity and seasonal staff headcounts increase quickly. In 2024, the holiday-heavy fourth quarter accounted for 31% of all recorded U.S. cargo thefts, the highest share of any quarter throughout the year, according to a report by Overhaul.
Effective logistics security solutions not only prevent theft but also protect staff, ensure smooth operations and safeguard brand reputation. This article is part of our holiday security series, which also covers surge staffing, seasonal staff best practices, holistic multi-layered security and high-value transport strategies. In this blog article, we’ll break down the unique holiday security challenges facing warehouses and distribution centers, explore proven strategies for theft prevention and share practical steps for mitigating risks such as employee theft and cargo loss.
During the holiday rush, the operational environment inside warehouses changes dramatically. The sheer volume of orders creates overcrowding, compressing delivery timelines and leaving little room for error. To meet demand, facilities bring in large numbers of seasonal staff, many of whom lack thorough vetting or security training. Meanwhile, existing employees face long hours and heightened stress, which increases the chances of lapses in attention.
These factors combine to create blind spots that both organized crime groups and opportunistic insiders are quick to exploit. Some of the most common threats include internal pilferage, cargo theft during transit, package tampering within warehouses and even break-ins during overnight or weekend hours when facilities may be less guarded.
Organized retail crime rings operate with increasing sophistication, especially during peak seasons. These criminal groups often target high-value, fast-moving items such as electronics, cosmetics and apparel, coordinating theft across multiple stores. According to the National Retail Federation, incidents rose 57% year-over-year, while total shoplifting losses climbed nearly 90% from 2019 to 2023.
Additionally, internal theft remains a persistent and damaging threat. Because employees already have access and knowledge of operations, they are uniquely positioned to manipulate systems, steal inventory or misroute assets without raising immediate suspicion.
Internal Pilferage in Warehouses: Risks & Prevention
Warehouses are especially vulnerable to internal pilferage, where employees or subcontractors with direct access can slip items out of inventory, manipulate counts or take advantage of weak oversight. Studies show that employee theft is frequently one of the leading causes of loss, occurring at a rate of 15 times higher than external losses.
These elevated numbers highlight a growing trend: extreme weather events, particularly hurricanes, are becoming both more frequent and more expensive. Beyond the direct destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure, such disasters ripple through local and national economies, straining insurance systems, increasing rebuilding costs and impacting supply chains.
Stay Ahead of Seasonal Risks
Connect with our team to develop a proactive logistics security plan tailored to your warehouse or distribution network.
Layered Logistics Security Solutions
There is no single solution to preventing warehouse theft during the holidays. The most effective approach is layered, combining security personnel and technology to create a comprehensive security framework.
Risk Assessments
A thorough security audit before the season begins helps identify where vulnerabilities exist. High-risk areas typically include docks, receiving bays and staging zones where goods are in transition. Profiling high-value SKUs likely to be targeted, such as small electronics or branded apparel, can help managers focus resources where they’re most needed. Analyzing incident patterns from prior years also reveals when theft risk is greatest, whether late-night hours, weekends or change-of-shift periods. Running “holiday surge” simulations allows security leaders to stress-test their facilities under peak conditions.
Securing Inbound and Outbound Operations
Cargo theft prevention requires disciplined operational protocols. Drivers’ identities should always be verified before any loading or unloading. Facilities should only work with pre-approved carriers and maintain a blacklist of high-risk operators. Staging areas must remain locked and accessible only to authorized personnel. For high-value shipments, GPS tracking is a must. Random outbound audits act as a final safeguard to ensure that shipments match manifests.
For a deeper look at how Protos protects high-value shipments from pickup to delivery, including layered strategies and technology integration, read more in our blog article.
Incident Response
Even with strong preventive measures, incidents may occur. Clear response procedures ensure thefts are managed effectively. High-definition video, time-stamped logs and evidence form the foundation of investigations. Dedicated internal teams must be trained to handle incidents quickly, while collaboration with law enforcement increases the chances of recovery and prosecution. After each incident, a post-event debrief should be held to identify weaknesses and update protocols.
Discover how a multi-layered, holistic security approach can help you protect assets, deter theft and maintain seamless operations through peak demand. Read our blog article here.
The Critical Role of Security Officers in Holiday Logistics Security
Security officers are often the first and most visible line of defense for warehouse theft prevention. Their presence alone serves as a deterrent, discouraging opportunistic theft and signaling to employees and visitors alike that security is taken seriously.
Security officers can read body language, recognize suspicious behavior and respond appropriately. They play a critical role in maintaining order during high-stress periods, from easing tense encounters at loading docks to assisting with emergency evacuations during peak season. Officers also serve as a bridge between warehouse management and law enforcement, providing critical documentation, incident reporting and on-the-ground intelligence that technology alone cannot deliver. Because many officers during peak season are seasonal or temporary, following security best practices for seasonal and temp staff in retail and distribution ensures proper onboarding, vetting and consistency.
At Protos Security, we recognize the role security officers play in warehouse theft prevention. That’s why we offer a nationwide network of highly trained security officers for warehouses and distribution centers, ensuring clients can scale coverage during seasonal surges or maintain steady, year-round protection. Officers are supported by advanced technology and remote video monitoring, creating a layered solution that pairs human judgment with cutting-edge technology. Combining officers with remote monitoring has been shown to reduce shrinkage and improve incident response times.
Discover Protos Security’s strategies for rapidly scaling guard services during the holiday surge – because coverage gaps are exactly what criminals look for. Learn more about scaling guard services for distribution centers in our blog article.
Protect Your Warehouse This Holiday Season
Schedule a customized holiday security assessment with Protos Security and ensure your operations stay protected when demand peaks.
Holiday Surge Security Checklist
Warehouses and distribution centers benefit from a simple reference guide to keep security efforts consistent.
Pre-Holiday Preparation
- Background checks for seasonal staff.
- Conduct a vulnerability audit and stress test systems.
- Update access credentials and remove expired permissions.
- Train seasonal staff in theft prevention and reporting protocols.
- Test alarms, cameras and intrusion detection systems.
During Peak Season
- Rotate officers across posts to reduce insider collusion risk.
- Increase patrol frequency and vary their timing.
- Monitor inbound and outbound zones with greater scrutiny.
- Hold daily security briefings with staff and supervisors.
- Audit outbound shipments randomly to deter collusion.
Post-Holiday Wrap-Up
- Review incident logs and analyze trends.
- Compare shrinkage data to seasonal forecasts.
- Debrief staff to capture observations.
- Assess vendor and staffing performance to identify improvement opportunities.
- Update standard operating procedures for the next surge.
Ensure your seasonal hires are ready to protect your operations. Explore our blog on Security Best Practices for Seasonal and Temp Staff in Retail and Distribution.
Protecting High-Value Cargo During the Holiday Rush
Not all shipments carry equal risk. While standard freight may include lower-value goods with manageable replacement costs, high-value cargo such as luxury merchandise, pharmaceuticals, electronics and technology products represents a prime target for organized theft. These criminal groups operate with increasing sophistication, using coordinated tactics to target shipments with the highest resale value on black markets.
This is why high-value cargo requires specialized security measures. Traditional logistics security solutions aren’t enough when the stakes involve both financial loss and long-term brand credibility.
At Protos, we combine law enforcement expertise, logistics planning and advanced technology to protect high-value freight. Our solutions are built to anticipate threats, deter theft and ensure shipments move securely through their journey.
Download our High-Value Transport Guide to learn how Protos safeguards critical shipments with specialized planning and expert security personnel.
Securing Warehouses and Distribution Centers with Confidence
The holiday season places an increase in security demands on warehouses and distribution centers. Rising volumes, compressed timelines and an increase in seasonal staff all create conditions where theft and operational disruptions are more likely. Meeting these challenges requires a layered logistics security strategy.
At Protos, we deliver scalable, flexible solutions for distribution centers. From on-site security officers and remote video monitoring to surge staffing and cargo protection, our national network adapts to meet our clients’ needs. Whether you’re managing a regional warehouse or a high-volume fulfillment center, we’re here to help.
Explore our full holiday security series
Check out our latest articles below.
How to Secure Distribution Centers with a Multi-Layered, Holistic Approach
The holiday season is the busiest, and riskiest, time of year for manufacturing and distribution centers. With inventory overloads, extended operating hours and rapid hiring of temporary staff, facilities become prime targets for theft.
Holiday Surge Planning: Scaling Guard Services Fast for Distribution Centers
This article explores how proactive holiday security planning can protect facilities from escalating threats like cargo theft and workplace incidents while ensuring smooth operations during peak demand.
Protecting High-Value Cargo: How Protos Security Safeguards Your Most Critical Shipments
Protos delivers specialized security solutions to protect high-value cargo from theft. Our tailored strategies safeguard shipments and facilities during peak season and beyond, ensuring your supply chain and brand remain secure.
Security Best Practices for Seasonal and Temporary Staff in Retail and Distribution
By implementing a thoughtful set of security best practices, companies can both anticipate vulnerabilities and equip seasonal staff to succeed. Consider these five core practices to help secure your retail and distribution centers during the holiday season.
