5 Security Tips for Safeguarding Your Small Business
East West Consulting Group: 5 Essential Security Tips to Help Protect Your Small Business
Having a well-implemented and cost-effective security strategy is crucial for protecting assets, ensuring the safety of your employees, and preventing unauthorized access. This is especially important for small businesses because they often need more resources, in-house expertise, and training. Additionally, crimes such as theft and vandalism can have a greater impact on their ability to grow and thrive.
Pierce County has the highest rate of property crimes statewide, with a rate of 68.7 crimes per 1,000 people. The most common types of property crimes are theft and destruction of property, which are especially detrimental to small businesses. However, small businesses can strengthen their resilience and protect themselves by prioritizing security awareness, investing in appropriate safeguards, and seeking guidance from security experts like EWCGI.
Here are the 5 security tips:
1. Assess Vulnerabilities
Conduct a thorough assessment of your premises to identify potential security vulnerabilities. Look for weak points such as poorly lit areas, broken windows or doors, blind spots in surveillance coverage, and areas with limited access control. Understanding these vulnerabilities will help you develop an effective security plan.
We are here to help! EWCGI offers free site assessments for qualified businesses. Contact us today for a complimentary site visit and security assessment!
2. Secure The Physical Premises
Securing the physical premises of your business can be as simple as installing sturdy locks on doors and windows to using high-quality monitoring equipment. Securing the perimeter and access control are the most basic ways to increase physical security.
To secure the perimeter of your business, you can add fencing, gates, and barriers to help define your property boundaries and deter theft, vandalism, or unauthorized entry. In addition, controlling access by establishing clear protocols for issuing keys or access cards and regularly reviewing and updating access permissions for employees and authorized personnel further prevents the risk of unauthorized entry.
Another simple way to increase security is through lighting. Having adequate lighting can help deter criminal activity and improve visibility around the premises, especially at night. Some examples of enhanced lighting are bright exterior lighting, including motion-activated lights that illuminate parking lots, walkways, and building entrances.
Investing in cost-effective security systems is a robust way to deter intruders and monitor activity on your premises. These systems, with their wide range of features, including intruder alarm systems, surveillance cameras, glass-breaking detectors, motion detectors, and access control systems (like keypads or card access), provide you with the confidence that your business is well-protected. Camera and alarm systems may also be paired with 24-hour monitoring, security patrols, and rapid response services to address crimes before they occur or escalate into costly damage.
Modern security systems also gather important data to improve your business analytics and investigative capabilities. Collecting information on traffic to and within your office or storefront, logging access to secured spaces, gathering images of unauthorized personnel or vehicles, and gathering data about other important events can all be quickly and easily recorded and analyzed, providing critical intelligence for both business analysts and investigators to prevent, differentiate and respond to a variety of routine business and criminal activities.
Finally, nothing beats having a well-trained security officer on-site and available to deter incidents before they happen. An effective security solution includes physical barriers to prevent intrusions, security staff to respond to critical events, and technology to aid in deterrence, monitoring, and investigations.
3. Secure All Valuables
Along with securing the perimeter of your business, you need to safeguard valuable assets such as equipment, inventory, and important documents by storing them securely. You can do this by using locked cabinets, safes, or secure storage rooms. Also, the implementation of inventory tracking systems and regular audits should be considered to monitor the movement and whereabouts of valuable assets. Data collected from security cameras, access control systems, and asset tags can all be important to ensuring your assets remain safe and secure.
4. Employee Training
Your employees can be both your greatest asset and your biggest vulnerability, so educating and training them in security best practices is essential. For example, while training new employees, emphasize the need to ensure everything is locked and practice safety measures like not leaving doors propped open. You should also develop clear security policies and procedures outlining expectations for employees regarding security practices, incident reporting, compliance with security protocols, and how to recognize and respond to potential security threats. Training should be conducted regularly to keep security at the forefront of your employees’ daily operations.
5. Stay Updated & Adapt
The threat landscape constantly evolves, so you should stay informed about emerging threats and security trends. Also, make sure to regularly update your security protocols and procedures to proactively adapt to new challenges and mitigate potential risks.
How EWCGI Can Help
At EWCGI, we provide short- or long-term security solutions tailored to your unique needs and requirements. Your safety and security are our greatest priorities, and we will always endeavor to provide a unique and cost-effective solution that will set your mind at ease and ensure that your property and personnel are well protected. We offer various services to meet those needs, from experienced security guards and patrol officers to security technology upgrades and investigations. Our officers and consultants strive to provide the highest in customer service and would be excited to earn your business and offer the solutions you need.