How Secure Is Your Business Premises?

There’s a lot of focus these days on the constantly looming threat of cybercrime. And although that is a huge factor in ensuring the safety of your business and livelihood, forgetting about the security of your physical premises would be a huge mistake. If you haven’t already taken proactive steps to minimize risk and ask yourself just how secure is your business, it may only be a matter of time until you find yourself vulnerable to an attack. The good news is, that you can get on the front foot now and find ways to protect your business. 

Develop A Risk Assessment

All good security improvement plans involve taking a clear view of the existing and potential risks your business faces, so that you can be aware of any gaps in provision and blind spots where you may have been vulnerable. Find a risk assessment template online and speak with staff across all operations to become aware of areas which need improvement and what is happening that you may not have been aware of. This process will help you discover what the areas are that you need to concentrate on. 

Secure The Building 

Each physical business location is different – whether it’s an office that’s part of a tall block or a low-level warehouse with a flat roof. You may need to approach partners such as the building security firm or a commercial roofing company to make sure your building is secure and fit for purpose. Make sure all the doors and windows are fitted with secure locks and think about entry points such as dark alleys where a motion detector light, cctv circuit or entry alarm might deter thieves or at least alert people to their presence. It’s also worth giving your staff a security briefing every so often to reiterate processes such as not leaving external doors propped open or letting strangers into the building. Carry out regular checks of the property and review breakages or damage to doors, windows or the roof. Establish links with other local businesses so you can all alert each other to any security issues or attempted break-in. 

Do Background Checks 

When you employ someone, make sure that you do the necessary background checks without cutting any corners or making assumptions. A lot of crime against businesses can come from within the organization, so it pays to be sure exactly who you are employing. Background checks before employing someone can help to prevent any risk of employee theft, while implementing a system of visitor passes helps to keep a record of exactly who is going in and of the premises and when. 

Keep Equipment And Customer Data Safe

When it comes to your electronics, you can’t be too careful – both with guarding the items themselves and the important customer data that they often contain. Have a designed secure space that is out of sight where you can store laptops, tablets and company phones when not in use. Make sure all devices are encrypted so that they can’t be beached if lost or stolen.