As a small or medium-sized business, the chances are that you’ll often be lectured on the risks of cybersecurity, but physical security is just as important. Whether you run a large retail store in the middle of the city or a small office on the edge of town, keeping an eye on your security has never been so important. We’ve put together some advice to help you…
Train your staff
One of the easiest ways to improve the security of your business is to give your staff regular training in dealing with potential threats. From webinars in locking up at the end of a shift to an on-site training day discussing the risks of intruders and how to respond, it’s vital that you have a clear policy in place and give staff the tools and understanding they need to protect your business – and indeed themselves. Training can also help to lower insurance premiums.
Invest in CCTV
Something else that you need to take into consideration is CCTV equipment, which can act as a visible deterrent to potential intruders and indeed offer you peace of mind. Work with a company that offers facilities management services such as security and consider investing in additional services such as key holding, locking and unlocking, and manned guarding.
Keep an inventory of equipment
If a break-in was to happen at your premises, would you quickly be able to identify what went missing? Performing a full inventory of your current equipment (from computers and hard drives to printers and telephones) will ensure you have a list of your current assets and you can use this to monitor them. For example, if you conduct an inventory once per month and trace it back, quickly working out who was responsible for any potential theft or losses.
Vet new starters
Do you really know who you’re inviting into your business premises? Make sure you properly vet all new starters and keep a close eye on them during the probation period. According to one recent study, employee theft in the workplace is on the up, representing 22.1% of all theft in the retail sector. Depending on the nature of your business and the losses you’re facing, you might even consider installing security systems on staff room entranceways, etc.
Limit out-of-hours access
The chances are that your managers have a key to the office to open up when you’re not around, but what about other employees? You should know exactly who has access and when, and keep a log of access for future records. If you have a more advanced security system such as ID cards or fingerprint scanners, limit out-of-hours access to ensure that staff and bad actors cannot gain access to your premises when they’re not supposed to.
