When you’re thinking about protecting your business against failure, here’s one statistic worth noting: More than 30 percent of business failures can be traced to crimes, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. That threat, whether caused by burglary, fraud or shoplifting, can be particularly high during an economic recession.
No matter the economy, it’s always a good idea to assess your business security plan. Is it comprehensive enough to ensure that your physical location and data are protected from intrusions? Or that you will have proper documentation in case of other unexpected events, including accidents?
Here are 5 signs that you may not be adequately protecting your business:
1. You don’t have a Visitor Access Policy. Developing a policy on how to manage unauthorized visitors is an essential part of a business security plan. If you’re not requiring visitors to register in one central location, your company could be at increased risk of theft of intellectual property. You also could be exposing employees to a possible threatening situation. Other protective measures worth considering for your Visitor Access Policy include checking IDs, issuing badges, and requiring the visitor to be escorted by an employee who is expecting him or her.
2. Employees use metal keys. If employees are still using traditional keys to gain access to different areas of the building – or, worse yet – not requiring keys at all, your business may be at higher risk for threats to your property or liability if someone is injured in an area that should be off limits. With the latest in access control technology, you can make areas more secure through a variety of methods, including card access, biometrics (using human characteristics), key fobs and embeddable credentials. With these type of access tools, you’ll be able to trace which employees entered or exited various areas of the building, if necessary.
3. Your monitoring system is limited. Pairing security guard patrols with cameras is still a solid security combination. However, without a high-functioning mobile video monitoring solution, you could have significant surveillance gaps. With advances in technology, monitoring through commercial security cameras has paved the way for additional functions, including motion detection, intrusion detection, and facial recognition. With more expansive monitoring, you’re better equipped to check on the safety and security of your employees and facility.
4. Employees set their own password requirements. Sometimes intrusions can come in the form of cybercrime – which costs U.S.-based companies an average of $12.7 million a year, according to a study by the Ponemon Institute. Requiring employees to use strong passwords is one simple, yet critical step toward protecting your company against data breaches.
5. It’s been a while since the alarm system was installed. As a business evolves so does its needs and requirements. More advanced security systems can be tailored specifically to a specific environment, making use of sensors to detect environmental threats like smoke, carbon monoxide, heat and water, as well as other threats particular to your facility and operations.
Interested in using advanced technology to better protect your business? At Hoosier Security, we specialize in commercial and industrial electronic security solutions. Contact us to learn more.
