Improving Security Within Your Business

Whether you’re a global empire or a small one-man business, it’s imperative to keep your business safe and secure from criminals. Those in the wholesale and retail sector should be especially wary – a staggering 4.7 million crime incidents were reported in 2015 in the UK against the wholesale and retail sector alone. Criminal behavior can take many forms from burglary to cyber-theft. Here are ways to safeguard your business against all forms of crime.

Cyber-crime

The big new wave of crime is happening online. Installing security software on all your computers is one of the best steps you can take. But hackers are crafty individuals, constantly evolving their methods with the times, finding new ways to break through password locks and firewalls all the time.

There are many extra precautions one can take to detract criminals. The first is to secure Wi-Fi connections. Make sure that you are password protected and that only certain devices in your office can be used to log on. This will stop any hacker in reach of your internet connection logging in on their phone and stealing files, or putting malware onto your system.

Use different passwords for your Wi-Fi, email accounts, Skype and any other programmes that are password protected, so that if a hacker finds a way into one they won’t be able to access them all. Keep changing your passwords regularly.

Have your emails security scanned by a spam filter and be careful of dodgy-looking emails from strangers that contain links. Clicking on these links might send you somewhere you don’t want to go. Delete any suspicious emails as soon as you receive them.

For anyone who is curious to learn more, a number of sites and companies can give advice on IT cyber security, as well as identifying the areas of your business that are most at risk.

Burglary

Distracted by the dangers of internet crime, some of us may forget about the physical security of our business. Good old fashioned burglary is still popular (although thankfully numbers of reports are still dwindling each year) and if you have an office, it’s important to keep it physically protected against thieves as you would do your home.

Having an alarm system in place is the easiest way to deter thieves. These generally take the form of a code entered on a keypad. Some alarms will automatically alert the police after several failed attempts to key in the code, whilst others will alert the police after ringing for a certain amount of time. You can keep switching up the code to keep it more secure (just remember to notify your staff each time!)

Another regularly used deterrent is spotlights and cameras. No burglar wants to be seen, and having a motion-sensitive light outside the entrance will make this much more difficult. Combining this with a security camera can help to further ward off robbers. Put cameras outside in places that people are most likely to enter such as doors and windows.

Any windows around the building can be further reinforced by adding obstructions. Many use bars (although these can make your office feel like a prison!). Other less aesthetically imposing methods include wire mesh and Plexiglas, which can be inserted between two panes of glass to make a potential break in more difficult. You can also install window alarms for extra peace of mind.

If a thief does still manage to get in, there are further precautions you can take to securely store any important or sensitive documents. Many choose to keep a safe. Whilst these are reliable safety tools, they can advertise crime, as everyone knows a safe contains something valuable. Keeping your safe in a cupboard away from windows can prevent it from being spotted by potential burglars. Have the safe bolted to a wall to stop anyone carrying it away.

When storing digital files it may help to encrypt them so that if a burglar steals your hardware, they cannot access them. Alternatively, store all documents on the Cloud.

Avoid leaving sheets of passwords around or keys in obvious places. Anything that can be taken home with you is safer, such as memory sticks with important files on, codes and sets of keys.

Crime committed by employees

Generally, your employees are all trustworthy people. However, you should always prepare for that one undercover crook who might one day catch you off guard.

Running a criminal background check on all your employees before hiring them is the first safe precaution you can take. The second is to limit certain people’s access to certain areas. Have a safe or server that only certain staff have a password or code to for sensitive documents that would do your company damage were they stolen.

Some companies will place cameras inside their offices. Even if you don’t plan to monitor your staff 24/7, security cameras can work as a good prevention method as employers will know they are constantly being watched. However, make sure that your employees do know that there are cameras around. Failure to notify them could a breach of their privacy. Similarly, staff should know if their phone is monitored.

Several already discussed methods can also secure your business from rogue employees including limiting Wi-Fi to certain devices. Stopping anyone from logging into the Wi-Fi on their phone could prevent anyone purposely or accidentally downloading malware onto your system.

All of these methods can also prevent clients and customers from infiltrating your business too. Whilst other steps can be taken, it’s important not to go overboard. Some companies aligned with the military or companies that contain sensitive bank information should be thoroughly safeguarded. However, if you’re a call center or a marketing agency, monitoring your staff with fifty CCTV cameras and locking everything with a code might create a cold environment and make your employees feel uncomfortable. You shouldn’t trust everyone – but don’t become a paranoid boss. Creating a warm atmosphere and being a likable employer will prevent staff from wanting to commit crime in the office.