Crimes and security issues can cost businesses a lot, so it is important to be prepared. Security measures that should be taken to protect your company depend on the size and type of business as well as other factors such as location and number of employees.
Performing a security survey is a good place to start assessing the potential threats to your business. The onion-peeling principle is the best way to do this to ensure you do not miss anything and security measures are implemented at each layer. Possible physical targets for most businesses fall into three categories: buildings, people, and property, which includes everything from cash to office equipment, and stock. For more information on data protection in particular, click here.
For each of these layers, it is necessary for businesses to reduce any provocation and potential incentive for committing the crime, and also get rid of anything that could be used as a potential excuse for criminal behaviour. In order to assess the risk of a possible crime against your company, think about the area you are in, for example how high is the crime level and has anyone nearby suffered a similar crime? In addition, is there a business crime partnership you could join in the area such as a shop watch scheme?
When performing a security survey, there are four areas that must be considered, they include the area your business is in, for example, the streets bordering the premises; the perimeter, meaning how access could be gained to your property through the likes of walls and fences; the interior and the shell, e.g. windows and doors that could offer access.
If you feel you are open to a possible crime once these areas have been surveyed then consider installing railings, steel fencing, or high walls. Also effective is barbed wire and electric fences.
Always being aware of what stock you have, where it is kept, and keeping a record of everything that is sold or thrown away is crucial for stock security. Regular stock checks are important as is recording everything that is delivered. Where possible keep stock away from doors and out of easy reach and keep high value stock in secure rooms or cabinets. Constantly monitor your stock using CCTV or mirrors and try to limit the number of your employees and regularly rotate those who have access to and control stock.
Staff should be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour such as a customer attempting to rush a transaction or distract the employee serving them. Using a number of different credit cards to split a purchase is also considered suspicious. Reduce the risk of theft by your own employees by always proceeding with caution when taking on new members of staff. Always check references and verify identity.
Your employees are one of your most important assets and every business is legally responsible for their health and safety whilst working. As well as raising awareness internally of an employee’s responsibilities, there are a number of measures you can take as their employer to increase safety and security. Make it common practice to always check the identities of delivery personnel and visitors and keep a logbook of everyone who enters and exits the building. Always get a signature for the delivery of goods and check the ID of those you are delivering to.
Businesses that handle a high volume of cash or deal with expensive goods and products are at a greater risk of crime so security measures are paramount. Fitting a protective screen can help to protect staff at a cash register and closed circuit televisions provide extra security, as does a safe for secure storage.
Another possible measure that might be appropriate for businesses that consider themselves at risk or are located in a high-risk area is professional security guards. Alternatively, if this is not cost effective for your company, then consider becoming a part of a local community initiative in order to build a relationship with the police.
For companies with employees who work alone, measures you can take to reduce the risk to these individuals include supplying them with personal alarms and a monitoring device. Operating regular security or police checks and well as a radio link scheme and CCTV will further increase security for these individuals.
Advise these staff members to always carry a personal alarm and a torch if they are going out in the dark. They should always ensure that their mobile phone battery is properly charged and if necessary take someone along with them if they are not comfortable with the area they are visiting.
Data security is another key aspect to consider, which Iron Mountain knows a lot about. Most companies, no matter what the industry, rely heavily on IT systems for the day-to-day operation of their business. Threats that need to be protected against include computer viruses and hacking with malicious intent. Online fraud can result in the theft of your company’s sensitive data and data loss can be the result of any of the above or by some other disaster such as flooding.
Suffering a data security breach of any kind can have a hugely negative impact on your business. It can affect everything from your cash flow to your competitiveness and your reputation; it can even damage your ability to continue operating. Businesses concerned about their data security should seek more information on Iron Mountain disaster recovery.