What Is Target Hardening?

Target hardening is the systematic process of making a property physically more difficult to break into. It combines reinforced hardware, upgraded locks, improved lighting, surveillance, and access control into a layered defence — so that any would-be intruder moves on to an easier opportunity.

The concept comes from Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a framework endorsed by the Vancouver Police Department and used by municipalities and insurers across British Columbia. CPTED-guided target hardening focuses on three core principles: natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement.

Many insurers — including those underwriting strata and commercial policies in BC — now require documented security upgrades as a condition of coverage or offer premium reductions for properties that meet hardening standards. Our assessments generate reports you can submit directly to your insurer.

• CPTED Principles — Natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement applied to your specific property
• VPD-Recommended — Aligned with Vancouver Police Department crime prevention guidelines for residential and commercial properties
• Insurance Requirements — Written assessments and upgrade documentation accepted by BC insurers for compliance and discount applications
• Layered Defence — No single lock or camera stops everything; we build overlapping security layers that work together