Layered security: the new standard in equipment rental

Make it as difficult as possible for criminals to target your business. Layered security is no longer a luxury — it’s a baseline requirement.

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In today's rental landscape, fraud isn’t just an occasional risk — it's a calculated threat that's becoming more sophisticated by the day.

Criminals often target the easiest opportunity, which is why businesses need to move from reactive thinking to proactive protection

As NTI National Product Manager for Mobile Plant David Kidd says, criminals go for the path of least resistance.

“if your business doesn''t have strong hiring protocols, you're opening yourself up for loss,” he said.

The message is clear and simple: the more layers of screening and security a potential offender must navigate, the less likely they are to proceed. Here are five ways to consider deterring equipment fraud and theft

1. Equipment registration

One of the simplest but most effective first steps is registering your equipment with the relevant state transport authority.

“Registration doesn't stop theft per se, but it creates accountability,” David said.

“When a machine is properly documented, it becomes easier to flag and recover if it ends up somewhere it shouldn't be.”

2. Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)

The PPSR is a powerful tool that many still underutilise. By registering, you're creating a footprint that travels with the equipment — one that dealers, banks, and buyers are trained to look for.

Adjuster Corp Group Managing Director Daniel Burke said too many businesses still skipped this step.

“But registering on the PPSR is one of the ways to stop fraudulent resale in its tracks,” he said.

He said there were numerous recovery cases where PPSR data helped authorities and insurers trace stolen machines.