How to Improve the Security of Small Business Premises
Security is always on the mind of business owners and administrators, especially for those who have to dig deep in order to find the funds for efficient solutions. But, if in the past, you could get away with hiring a guard for the main entrance, nowadays the situation is a lot more complex.
Small businesses everywhere are currently under attack by cybercriminals who know a tight budget doesn’t allow for any advanced security systems. They also know that many SMBs tend to leave the security issue for when they have assets to protect, thus ignoring the data they currently have.
In short, if you don’t want to be an easy target for ill-intended actors, it’s time to think seriously about your business’s security. And you should start with physical measures while also building a multi-layered security for your network.
Physical security measures help you limit access to your business space, monitor what happens in said space, and control the flow of information. Here are a few tips to get you started on building an impenetrable security plan:
Methods to Restrict Access
You can’t allow access to just anyone in your space of business, so establish a security perimeter where only certain people can enter.
Start with the outdoor area and use various fencing systems to delimit the perimeter from public space. Also, if you have on-site parking, use specialized systems (like a BFT gate opener) to make sure only employees and several other people have access to it. The same system can be used to restrict people’s access if they come on foot.
These security measures use access control cards or biometric authentication to authorize access onto the premises. Plus, if you decide to go with card readers (or other forms of electronic authorization methods), it’s easier to install them all throughout the building.
It’s a very helpful method to keep track of employees and even calculate their working hours (as an added bonus). You can also use card readers to restrict access to highly sensitive areas in your building such as the server room or the filing cabinets.
Surveillance Systems
Surveillance doesn’t imply just the use of cameras; nowadays, there are multiple types of sensors you can use. For instance, you can use motion sensors to detect intruders in a specific space at a time they shouldn’t be there. But you should also use heat and smoke sensors coupled directly to the alarm system so they can trigger alarms if something goes wrong.
Of course, surveillance cameras are still important, especially when it comes to monitoring entrance and exit points. Plus, if you use a security system that offers cloud-based access, you can check the safety of your business in real-time.
Testing Methods
How do you know your security system is working? By testing it, of course! And no, you shouldn’t wait for a real intruder to test it – the efficiency of a reliable security system depends on its testing plan.
If you’re new to the idea of building a testing plan, it’s best to hire a specialized company to run the first tests and help you build procedures and plan everything out.
Wrap Up
While it may seem a bit of an overreaction, even SMBs need to use advanced security measures. It is your duty, as an organization, to create a safe and incident-free environment for your employees. Also, physical security measures help reduce the number of cyberattacks because your premises aren’t easily accessible.
Of course, security is just one of the many things you should consider when starting a business. However, you need to make sure you are considering and including a plan for it. Otherwise, you run the risk of building a successful business only to see it gone in a blink of an eye.
