Establishing your own business or company is an outstanding achievement. The ultimate goal of a businessman or a stakeholder is the growth of their business. Therefore, companies should have protection from any factors that may negatively influence their development. Business security safeguards the business' physical structures, data, and critical information, things that are essential to both your business and your customers. Investing in robust and comprehensive security strategies can protect your business from unforeseen losses and problems. The following are some of the business security tips you can use to enhance your business security.
By Team Savant
Image: Franck
1. Establish Proper Code of Conduct
Before you hire your first batch of employees, you should establish a comprehensive code of conduct. A proper code of conduct should outline tolerable behavior within the business premises. The document should also outline the consequences of violating the terms of the employees’ employment contract.
Besides other human resource elements, the employees’ terms of a contract should also focus on protecting business premises and properties and safeguarding sensitive information related to the business. Present and communicate the code of conduct with the employees immediately after recruitment.
When you make any change related to the code of conduct, notify the employees immediately. The document should be accessible by employees anytime. They should have a personal copy of their employment files. Moreover, guarantee the confidentiality of the employees' personal information.
2. Schedule Weekly or Monthly Document Shredding
During business operations, documents are essential in the storage of information and data. However, once some functions are complete, some of the documents may not be valuable. Some of these documents contain sensitive information about the business or customers.
Besides installing security measures on your computers, paperwork should not get into unauthorized hands. Every employee should keep old records and papers aside for shredding.
Scheduling regular document shredding enhances safety in the disposal of papers and documents that have served their purpose.
3. Schedule Audits
To enhance a higher level of information and document security, you should schedule annual audits for your business. Yearly audits will enable you to go through your employees' documents on their computers and paper form. After conducting a thorough audit, you can establish any area prone to a security breach.
Ensure you participate in most out of the audits. After identifying vulnerable areas in terms of security, come up with solutions. Developing a security strategy reduces the chances of a security breach. Audits should not aim at looking for employees’ fault. They should aim at identifying vulnerable areas and taking necessary measures.
The audits' purpose should be emphasized and explained to all employees. These frequent audits improve staff cooperation and their understanding.
4. Designate the Access Levels of Your Business Computers
Whether your business has one computer or utilizes a network of computers, designating a username for each employee is a necessary security precaution. After setting a username, each employee's login details are private and based on their profile and job level.
The designation of access levels ensures that you are aware of what employees can access. It also prevents any problems linked to any unauthorized changes made. Password protection for each employee is also crucial. Passwords should contain a capital letter, a unique character, and a number.
Change the passwords after every 30 or 45 days. Employees should always lock their computers if they are not at their desks. This caution prevents unauthorized access to computers. Passwords should not be shared or written on papers or any other surface.
Ensure the employees take personal responsibility to protect their passwords. It would help if you also restricted the accessibility of certain areas in your business. Customers, suppliers, and other external persons should be limited in terms of places they can access.
5. Develop Emergency Plans
Whether at home or the office premises, an emergency plan is very crucial. An emergency plan should outline the actions to be taken in case of a robbery, fire accidents, theft, or other natural calamities such as storms and tornadoes. Your emergency plan can also include safety tips on floods.
Your safety plan should also have contact numbers for emergency services and police. Additionally, an evacuation plan should also be displayed and outlined in a conspicuous location where the employees can read and familiarize themselves. Safety tips remainders are also very essential to employees.
6. Invest in Office Security
Investing in security measures at your office is better than waiting for a security threat to happen to force you to do it. You can opt to partner with a reputable security company to protect your properties all the time. Security companies may also facilitate the safe transportation of valuable items.
However, before you make this decision, ensure all your windows, doors, and storage areas have their locks and keys. Ensure the entryways are always secured. Your office should be located in a visible place as this can make burglars or thieves uncomfortable.
It would be best if you also considered investing in a comprehensive security system. The system comprises smoke detectors, motion sensors, video cameras, and fire alarms. Installed security system records movements and everyday business operations.
7. Install Adequate Lighting
Adequate lighting is essential for both the interior and exterior parts of your building. Always ensure your office security light is on at night. This trick enhances the clear visibility of any intruders. Maintain sufficient lighting on the doors and the parking lots.
Security lights enhance your business's security and the employees' if they work overtime into the night. Some companies have night shift operations. Hence adequate lighting is crucial.
Conclusion
Security is an essential aspect of a business. Installation of proper security features and measures is an effective business risk mitigation strategy. Some of the threats faced by businesses and companies are preventable. Although investing in a comprehensive security system can be expensive, it is worth it.
Business security measures should also address the physical structures and sensitive information of the business. Taking some simple security precautions can make a significant difference. Business security should be the responsibility of every person in the company, including employees.