In a small business, security is king. Even if you have the best ideas and most ethical operations, there’s always a risk that someone will take advantage of your honesty, trickery, or naivety.
Small businesses are not safe from the dangers of online fraud and cyberattacks. They often expose themselves more than larger businesses because smaller companies operate with less overhead and tend to place greater emphasis on customer service. Keeping your small business premises secure is as important as it can be for a low-budget operation like yours.
Read on to learn how to lock down your business so no one can get in or out without authorization.
1. Involve Employees in Safety Planning
When employees are regularly involved in safety planning, they’re more likely to adhere to your company’s safety guidelines and policies. This could include introducing safety training programs to make employees more aware of their obligations and more likely to report hazards, injuries, and safety incidents.
You could also create an internal safety committee of employees to keep everyone updated on safety issues and concerns. Your safety committee can be an excellent resource for employees who might be reluctant to report safety issues for fear of reprisal or want to vent about a hazardous situation without being accused of malpractice.
2. Protect your data with encryption
Encryption is converting data into an unintelligible format, which means that if someone were to intercept your data, they would be able to read it but not understand it. It is the best way to protect data and is most widely used today. Encryption is not a silver bullet and is not foolproof, but it is the best option we have.
The most common types of encryption are symmetric-key and asymmetric keys.
Symmetric key encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. This enables the sender to decrypt the data. Asymmetric key encryption uses a pair of keys for encryption and decryption, making it harder for both the sender and the receiver to decode the data.
3. Use a Keypad to Control Access
Keypad entry systems are an excellent way to prevent unauthorized access to your business premises. You can use a digital system that allows you to set up multiple access codes. Setting up a keypad system can be relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. You can also get access control systems that integrate with your existing office equipment.
This makes it easy to use your keypad without stopping the machinery. If you have a back door or an exterior door that leads to an alley, you can get access control keypads that let you assign different permissions to individuals. This is a great way to control who has access to your office and prevent people from wandering in who don’t have permission.
4. Install Alarm Cameras
Alarm systems for small businesses are a great way to deter burglars. You can install wireless or hardwired systems that alert you if someone tries to break in. You can also get systems that record and store footage for 30 days, letting you catch someone red-handed.
The best alarm systems for small businesses let you set up zones and differentiate between areas like the reception area and the stockroom. This allows you to set separate alarm zones for various aspects of your business.
5. Assign Different Permissions to Individuals
Assign different permissions to your team members, so they don’t all have full control over the business. Each member should have access to the resources they need to do their jobs, but they shouldn’t have access to other items that they don’t need to access. For example, if your bookkeeper has access to the financial records, they shouldn’t have access to customer information.
Similarly, if your accountant has access to the finances, they shouldn’t have access to customer information. This can help prevent team members from making mistakes and stealing information that might be sensitive. It can also help prevent someone from planning a major scam or other illegal activity that could put your business at risk.
6. Make a Habit of Password Hygiene
Humans are not the most reliable security measures. The most basic thing you can do to make your premises more secure is to create strong passwords for your devices and accounts. You can do this using a long combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Do not rely on a single safe word or phrase to be your password; every word or phrase used in combination with another could be discovered and used to access your devices. Many people choose a safe word or phrase because they assume it will be hard for people to find out through brute force. This is not the case. The more common a word is, the easier it will be to discover by brute force.
7. Keep Your Software Up-to-date
Your computer, smartphone, and other devices are constantly being updated to fix specific security vulnerabilities that hackers use to get inside networks. Keep your operating system, browser, applications, and other software up-to-date to ensure you’re protected from hackers. Keeping your software up-to-date is crucial if you use a remote working policy.
Updating your software regularly will also help you combat trojans, malware, and other forms of cyberattack. If you don’t use automatic software updates, you’re leaving the door open for hackers to sneak inside your system.
8. Check Doors and Windows
You don’t have to put all of your trust in your computer system. Make sure that your doors and windows are locked at all times. Consider installing security doors, windows,, or both for the entrances and exits of the business.
It’s also good to ensure that your business has a security system that keeps intruders out. This can help prevent theft and vandalism by making it harder to get in and out of the building without authorization. Check your security system every so often. The best security systems are the ones that are also being used.
As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. You don’t need the added stress of worrying about the security of your premises. By following these eight crucial tips, you can rest assured that your business is safe and sound.
