Surefire Ways To Fortify Your Business Against Crime

security

Whether you run a startup or an established business, physical security of the premises should be your top priority. This is because break-ins and crimes can seriously impact the normal course of the business. While these situations may cause loss of assets, you may face the worst if any of the employees get injured. This is because the liability for any damages and injuries lies on the business owner.

Considering the increase in criminal activities, organizations of all sizes are at risk. So you should definitely take all the steps you can to fortify your organization against crime. There are various measures that you can take for securing your premises and you must follow all of them to be extra sure. Let us list them for you.

Start with risk assessment

Being prepared means that half the work is done and a complete risk assessment gets you started in this direction. Typically, criminal attacks happen out of the blue, when you least expect them. A criminal simply finds an opportunity in the form of breach in your security system and breaks in and you can do absolutely nothing.

A periodic risk assessment is the best approach as it lets you detect the weak points before the worse happens. You can do it on your own but the better way to have it done is by a professional security service. Check the areas which are susceptible, for example, where you keep cash and valuable assets. Have a security checklist that you can use every time you assess the risks.

List your assets and stock

Besides a risk assessment of the physical premises, you need to have a complete list of everything valuable in there. These could be assets and inventory. Business assets include valuable stuff such as computers, printers, scanners, tools and equipment, telephones, mobile phones and tablets. Maintain a detailed record of the model, make and serial numbers of each commodity so that you don’t miss anything. Mark the assets permanently to prevent pilferage from within. Similarly, keep proper records of your stock because it is also at risk. Secure storage matters and so does keeping a watch on the valuables.

Inspect the surroundings

Even before you start thinking about a security strategy, inspection of the surroundings of the premises is mandatory. This is actually what decides the risk factor of intruders making way inside the premises. Any part that is in a run-down state should be identified and repaired sooner rather than later.

Pay attention to the lighting in the area as well because dark spots are the potential places for hiding. Additionally, get rid of untrimmed hedges and overgrown bushes because criminals can use them as hiding places as well. Make sure that you carry out such inspections on a regular basis to address the issues even before they crop up.

Have an in-house theft prevention strategy

Obviously, you cannot miss out on protection against intruders from the outside but having an in-house theft prevention strategy is equally vital. Check the background, reference and records of every single employee you onboard. Also, establish a clear policy on employee theft and convey it to the staff. Monitor cash and assets closely and make sure that only authorized and trustworthy employees have access to them. Hold special security training sessions for your workforce so that they can deal with challenging situations. Entrust cash transactions only to trustworthy employees who have been with you for some time.

Invest in security alarms and cameras

A proper surveillance system for your premises is the smartest investment that you can make for securing your business against criminal activities. Install alarms on the premises so that you get a warning as soon as there is a break-in.

CCTV cameras can protect your business from intruders from outside and within. Have such equipment installed at strategic places so that you can locate any suspicious activity before major damage. Installing strong grills, shutters and locks is also a key aspect of the security plan for any business. Even if you have to spend a little extra on a smart security system, don’t cringe on the expense because you will end up saving in the long run.

Have smart locks and biometrics

When it comes to the installation of the latest security systems, smart locks and biometrics have emerged as winners. You can go a step ahead with entry tracking systems and voice-activated locks. These are empowered with the latest property security technologies, which mean that you can be assured that your premises are fully protected.

These locks and systems fortify your place to the extent that it can lock itself rather than depend on humans for securing it with locks and keys. Moreover, there will never be fear of the locks being picked or the keys being stolen when you have smart equipment in place. Further, biometric systems ensure that only authorized people are able to enter the building and there is no way anyone can fool them. You can even limit access to people at only specific times of the day so that no one enters without your permission or knowledge.

Hire security personnel

While installing security and monitoring equipment is important, you cannot ignore the importance of security personnel when it comes to ensuring safety against crime. A professional agency like SmartSecurityPros.com has your business premises covered on all fronts.

When you choose a security service, look for one that is licensed and has trained professionals with the right domain experience. Verify their reputation and check out their reviews to understand the kind of services they deliver. By having these professionals looking after your premises, you can rest assured that there will be no intrusions. Moreover, you can hand them the responsibility of conducting physical checks on people entering and leaving the premises. Further, the in-house staff will also think twice before committing any breach.

Train your staff

Besides having professional security personnel to look after your premises, train your staff to face the worse. A well-trained workforce can serve as an asset in critical situations as they can protect the business and themselves from criminals. Have regular security training programs to provide them with physical training so that they can handle intrusions without fear.

Beyond the physical training aspect, the sessions should also make them aware about looking out for suspicious situations and potential breaches. Awareness is vital because they can take timely action and inform the authorities in case of a break-in. Have a proper security program in place and make sure that every employee adheres to it. These should cover the physical security aspects such as checking the door locks, activating alarms and ensuring that the premises is never left unattended. Incentivize people who follow the protocol stringently.

Don’t forget to have a safe

An anchored and fire-resistant safe is something that every business must absolutely have. You may think that you don’t need one unless you deal in heavy cash and valuables such as precious metals and stones. But you still do because there are times that you may want to store important and confidential documents safely. Besides ensuring that the safe is locked before you leave the premises, you should get it bolted down so that thieves cannot carry it away. Don’t share the combination with any of the employees. Keep changing it periodically to be extra safe.

Stay in touch with the local authorities

Another vital aspect of premises security is to always be in touch with the local authorities. Contact the local police and authorities from time to time and find out about the measures they have in place to cut down on break-ins and crime in the area. This is all the more crucial if your premises are located on the outskirts or remote areas. Request them to visit your workplace and get an idea about how soon they will be able to reach in case of an unfortunate event. Also, find out about any crime reduction drives and schemes being run in your area for protecting businesses and you can join such programs as well.

Don’t forget virtual security

Without any doubt, you cannot ignore the physical security of your business premises but virtual security is equally vital these days. Now that every business has a digital footprint, cybersecurity is something that you cannot overlook. The implementation of customer data privacy rules has made it all the more significant. Not adhering to them can put you in legal trouble and result in loss of reputation as well.

Follow robust virtual security practices such as using strong passwords, installing anti-virus software, ensuring server protection and keeping a watch on hacking attacks. Having a cybersecurity team looking after your digital assets is another smart idea.

Business security is as vital as any other aspect of operating an organization. In fact, you can just focus on growth and profitability if there is nothing to worry about the safety of your premises. So be sure that you go the extra mile and implement all these security measures to have that peace of mind!