In this digital world, many companies and organizations are focused on securing their IT systems and data using encryption software and firewalls. The problem is, most of them forget to protect their physical assets. Physical security involves tools such as video surveillance cameras, alarms, gates, and other safety measures.
Investing in security tools and personnel is essential even for small businesses that don’t possess many resources like bigger firms. If your business is not prioritizing the protection of your people, property, and data, this is the time to do it. Listed here are six tips to keep your physical assets safe and secure.
1. Assess the risks
As a small business, you might only have limited budgets for certain projects and operational tasks. For that reason, it makes sense that you conduct a proper risk assessment on supplies or materials you purchase from third parties. What you need to do is to determine the particular threats present in a package and your vulnerability. There’s no potential risk if you have a vulnerability without a threat or a threat without vulnerability. Identify your company’s biggest threats so that you can minimize your vulnerability. However, there could be built-in threats that can be impossible to eliminate. Focus on reducing vulnerability to minimize the risk of loss.
2. Train your staff
Your people can be a great vulnerability to your business. You can lower this level of vulnerability by providing security-focused training. Security training helps your employees understand the importance of using or following security measures and their roles in protecting your company assets. They should know how to safely access, store, and share sensitive data. Your business can be at risk if you have absent-minded staff managing your critical data. Investing in security training can be a big challenge for a small business, but it can drastically boost the value that your people place on physical security.
3. Dispose of documents properly
This should be a no-brainer in any workplace. Shredding all paper information must be included in your business security or data protection policies. In most cases, people are subjective when deciding which documents should be destroyed and which are not. But if you want to eliminate the risks, it’s best to create a policy that every paper document must be shredded. Put it in the shredder once the document is no longer needed.
Keeping sensitive information in your office for a long time can lead to a breach or a discovery by an unauthorized individual. Avoid tossing crucial paper documents in the trash bins or any place it can still be discovered.
4. Invest in safe deliveries
The next thing you need to prioritize is sending your paper documents safely. This is necessary to avoid negative publicity and fines. Surely, the last thing you want to happen is to face privacy violations or data leaks that will jeopardize the reputation of your business. If your team cannot guarantee safe delivery of your paper documents, particularly contracts, agreements, and business reports, hire a professional to do it. Find an established contract delivery specialist who can send your legal documents to the clients or business partners safely. Acquiring delivery services may cost extra on your budget, but it can protect you from expensive legal complaints or claims.
5. Keep inventory of devices
Most businesses nowadays are utilizing all kinds of devices to perform their transactions. The problem is, these devices can also welcome security issues into the business. Create a detailed inventory of every device used in your operations and transactions. Monitor them to avoid theft that can lead to data breaches. You should know where every device is, who has access to them and if they can leave your premises or not. Having a documented inventory is also useful for identifying any stolen or missing device and the extent of information lost.
6. Install security systems
Lastly, ensure your business environment is protected by different security systems and devices too. Invest in surveillance cameras and have security personnel who can manually monitor the feed. There are surveillance cameras that can send footage to the cloud. This allows you to monitor and archive the recordings automatically. Furthermore, you should set up emergency and security alarms that will alarm law enforcement officials of any unfortunate events within your premises.
By creating your physical security plan, you can ensure your business can prevent risks that could affect your continuity. From workplace productivity to company reputation, you can expect minimal impacts. Incorporate these tips into your strategy today and set your business up for success.
