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When it comes to this, I doubt there can be ANYONE more paranoid than I...
For starters, I live in Mexico City. I MUST be always careful with everything.
So, I think the best you can do (directly proportional to your paranoia depth) is treat everything in layers.
First of all, you need some great insurance. Read the fine prints.
Start with steel doors, and put 2 or 3 high security locks. My studio looks like a jail-house, but once you're in it feels cozy. I also have double doors (each with a steel frame and high security locks.
I reduced ALL the windows in size, so unless I get a 3 year old thief, none goes through the windows.
Get ADT, with the mobile option. This is, a secondary cell phone kicks in if someone attempts to cut your phone lines. This cell phone then calls ADT's center.
Talk to your (trusted) neighbors. Let them have your mobile and home phones. Tell them what is "normal" and what is not "normal", in terms of movement and visitors (so if they see a Van full of thugs stealing your stuff, then they KNOW that's not ok and they can call you.
Make sure there are no trees whose branches lead to higher windows.
Make sure the street is always well lit.
NEVER advertise as a recording studio, and NEVER put your physical address on your business cards.
Actually, my neighbors think I am running some kind of boring office thing.
Always have off-site backups of your music, projects and sample libraries.
Have a gun under your mixing desk.
Get 2 or 3 cameras. Put one outside (out of reach and protected), and a few others strategically positioned. This is something I haven't done yet, but I'm planning on getting the cameras that are motion-activated, and send you live feeds to where ever you are, so you can see in real time what's going on.
Every 6 months I try to improve or upgrade something regarding security. The cameras will be my next step.
And last, but not least, all this works for times where you are not there. But what if you are there and you get violently robbed, as it happens so often here? For this you need those outside cameras that let you know who's ringing the bell, and have double doors, like in the banks. You let someone in and the door behind gets closed. You don't open the next gate (the access to the property) until you see everything if ok. THEN you open the last door.
Instal a panic alarm in strategic places.
Always try to make your routine different, or at least vary it a little.
I have actually 2 separate ADT systems (one for the main building and one for the studio).
A few of these suggestions might seem a bit paranoid, but believe me. I sleep MUCH better at night. The more I do security-wise, the sweeter dreams I have. Living in this bad city can do many nasty things to your paranoia thresholds
Good luck!!!
