While the prevalence of online businesses and stores has taken off in recent years, there are still plenty of brick-and-mortar businesses in every city across the country. While they may not deal with all of the same digital threats as online companies, there are still plenty of threats that physical businesses need to be prepared for.
Theft, property damage, hacks and other hazards are common issues that many brick-and-mortar businesses face. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to reduce the chance of your business having to deal with these security threats. Here are a few of them.
Install Proper Access Control.
One of the first things to consider doing to keep your business secure is installing proper access control. If you let anyone enter your building, you are asking for trouble and there is a chance thieves or other dangerous individuals could enter. You can control access by requiring a passcode to enter, or by giving employees RFID tags to allow them to enter the building.
There is likely a locksmith or other professional company in your area that is capable of helping secure the premises by setting up one of these systems. In addition to access control, physical barriers such as gates or fences around a secured access point can also reduce the chances of unauthorized individuals entering your building.
Use Surveillance Equipment.
Installing security cameras is another great way to keep your business safe. Their presence alone can deter criminals, and if someone does still try to illegally enter your business, you will have it all on video. You should install cameras not only outside the building, but inside as well.
Many of these modern security cameras can be controlled and/or viewed remotely. This will allow you to keep tabs on your business, even when you aren’t there. They can also be handy when it comes to identifying theft from employees, which can be a big problem. Having cameras can certainly reduce the chances of it occurring at your place of business.
The security cameras should be part of a comprehensive security system that can alert authorities if a door or window has been breached. Motion sensor lights and even live guards/security in some cases can also help keep the location safe.
Train Your Employees Well and Perform Background Checks.
While most employees mean well and want to do a good job, human error is a major part of many security issues for companies. In fact, it is one of the biggest sources of data loss for companies.
Employees may inadvertently leak sensitive information, have their accounts hacked or even forget to log out of their computer before leaving for the day. In an effort to reduce this human error, be sure to adequately train your employees on proper security protocols.
Ensure they are aware of the right practices and processes in place to protect the security of your business. Make sure they know how to safely use all software. They should know what is expected of them when it comes to security and privacy, too. Also, be sure to perform adequate background checks when hiring new employees. For example, without a background check, you may unknowingly hire someone who has been previously fired for stealing from their employer.
Making Sure Your Business Remains Safe.
While digital threats get a lot of headlines, there are still a lot of physical security threats for traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to be aware of. If you can use proper access control, install surveillance equipment and train employees well, you can help minimize the chance of security issues materializing.
