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6 Ways to Improve your Business’s Physical Security

What is Business Security?

Taking physical security measures for your business means creating the infrastructure to keep employees, business assets, data, and property safe from damage or harm. If you are a business owner, this is important from both a financial and trust perspective. Firstly, you do not want to risk having assets stolen or damaged. Secondly, you want your employees to feel safe while at work. It’s very important that they trust that you have their best interest in mind.

Why is Physical Security Important?

Whether you are a small, medium, or large business, the importance of business security is undeniable. Businesses face all types of physical security threats – both internally and externally. For instance, consider that about 25% of violence in the workplace incidents go unreported every year. Additionally, a 2018 survey reported about the cause of business theft and shrinkage that resulted in $46.8 billion dollars in loss. 35.7% was due to external theft (from visitors or customers) and 33.2% was due to employee theft. In order for businesses to protect their building, assets, and employees, coming up with a comprehensive and reliable security strategy is crucial.

6 Ways to Improve your Business’s Physical Security

Every business needs to establish physical security measures. Not only does physical security help keep your building and assets secure. It also helps assure the safety of employees, which in turn creates higher job satisfaction and appreciation for the business. It’s important that business owners create an environment where employees feel safe entering and leaving work on a regular basis.

No matter where your business is located, there are several physical security measures that you should take to ensure the safety of your building, assets, and employees. Here are the 6 ways to improve your business’s physical security:

1. Access Control

Access control is a digital method of installing locks for your business’s doors. It allows you to control who is able to enter. Your supplier will install an access control locking mechanism, which connects digitally with your access method. Then, can log, monitor, and adjust which employees or individuals will be granted access to those entryways. Employees and other credentialed individuals may enter using an access method that you choose. These can include a swipe card, key fob, keypad, fingerprint scanner, and more.

Normally, when an employee is hired, a business admin can add that employee to their access control log and issue them a “key”. Then, they can enter and leave the building seamlessly. If the employee leaves the business, the admin can easily deactivate and reissue the “key” digitally. There is no need to change locks or worry about physical keys being misplaced!

To take extra security measures, some businesses choose to create access controls within their building. For instance, there might be a room with assets that should only be accessed by qualified individuals. Access control can be configured with different access permissions in different locations. This is especially easy to set-up if you use a cloud-based access control system.

2. ID Cards

Even if you have installed an access control system, it’s still important to issue employee ID cards. This allows you to be aware of who is entering and walking through your building. Think of it as a second form of verification. Each person must have an access key, plus verify their identity when arriving at your building. Even though you are logging who has access, you never know who might get their hands on an access key. ID cards are inexpensive and help you rest assured your building is taking security seriously. 

3. Sign-in system for visitors

Remember that visitors will not have access keys to enter your building. Therefore, the best way you can verify those visitors and assure their safety is to check their personal ID when arriving. Then, take down their information in order for them to gain access to your building. You can use a computer system to do this, or you can simply provide a sign-in sheet. It’s also a good idea to have a reception desk that handles all visitors as they arrive.

4. Video Surveillance

Installing security cameras, or video surveillance, both outside and inside your building is an excellent security measure to take. Video surveillance can deter crime, such as theft, vandalism, and trespassing. It also stands as evidence if criminal activity were to take place at your property. The last thing you want is for your workplace to be the victim of a crime, and you have no evidence to defend you once the police are involved.

Additionally, placing security cameras inside your building can help keep employees productive as well as deter internal theft. It will allow you to monitor employee activity, in case you ever need to retrieve video records after an incident. If you run a business that involves in-person customers and visitors - such as a hotel, restaurant, or retail shop - you will definitely need indoor security cameras to prevent theft.

Learn about the top video surveillance suppliers and manufacturers here.

5. Exterior lights

Similar to exterior security cameras, exterior lights will help assure the safety of your employees as they leave work. Especially if you have a large parking lot or parking garage, you will want to make sure employees will feel safe as they walk to their cars after work. Additionally, exterior lights can be a great deterrent of crime. Criminals will likely not risk getting caught if your property is properly illuminated. One method is to get automatic, motion activated lights. That way, whenever a person travels onto your property or close-by will trigger the lights to turn on.

6. Communication system

Make sure you and your team come up with a communication system with security incidents. Create a security training with each employee (especially with supervisors and admins) to make sure everyone understands your business’s security protocols. Ask everyone involved to always keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Then, implement a communication procedure that employees can follow to report the activity or incident. One of the most important security measures you can take is to build a strong community that keeps everyone up-to-date and aware of any security risks that might be occurring on the premises.

Want to get started improving your business's physical security? 360Connect offers free quotes on security essentials like ng access control systems and video surveillance. There’s never any obligation to buy.

Get free quotes from up to 5 access control suppliers!
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