4 Tips for Better Workplace Security
Digital protection — firewalls, texts, passwords, and so on — dominates the debate around business security. While all of these factors are significant, companies stand to lose a lot if they do not prioritize physical protection. Workplace and other forms of physical protection policies give your staff the resources they need to protect your data and infrastructure from cybercriminals.
The term “business protection” refers to all that is required to keep a company safe. Firewalls, updates, antivirus apps, and password policies are examples of digital protection. Furthermore, all business protection acquisitions must be implemented, installed, maintained, and monitored to ensure that they remain successful and current. Physical protection is also a part of it. Here are a few pointers to keep your company’s assets safe and your employees safe.
1. Secure Your Facility’s Parking Lot
Between collisions and crimes, parking lots can be a dangerous place. The best way to keep your parking lot safe is by controlling who is allowed to park there. The most secure option would be to install a modular office to serve as a parking lot security booth at the entrance to the facility. This would allow only those with authorization to access the lot. You would have to staff the booth during business hours, but that’s a small price to pay for security and safety.
Also, make sure your lot is well lit in the evening and nighttime hours. This will deter unwanted activity. A camera system may be needed as well to further secure the premises.
2. Use Security Hardware in Your Building
The most well-known method of physical protection for businesses is digital video surveillance. In the case of a physical security breach, having cameras rolling will assist companies in identifying responsible parties, but this is more of a reactive role and might not be as successful as keeping data secure.
Control door entry by having employees enter a code or swipe their badge to enter various locations. Depending on employee access needs, this technology can also limit access to different points of entry. Some employees will have job duties that do not require them to have complete access to every room in the house, just as not all employees require administrator access on online accounts.
3. Use a Security System
The physical protection of your staff and the properties of your company are also protected when you use a security system on a regular basis. Choose a security system that is controlled by a third party so that if an incident occurs at the business, emergency responders are immediately informed. Only workers should be given the access code. You may only need to share the code with one or two workers who arrive first or depart last in some cases. When an employee leaves the organization, the access code must be changed.
4. Train Your Staff
In several ways, workplace security is dependent on workers being educated and trained on how to foster security in their daily roles. It may seem to be easier to place blame on hardware and technology, but with the right preparation, workers may serve as a strong line of defense in protecting sensitive data.
Each employee’s workstation has the potential to be a security breach entry point. Documents left on the desk, and open tabs on the screen will make it easy for an intruder to gain access to your office.
When employees leave their desks, a clean desk policy instructs them about how to store or otherwise protect private papers, binders, and tech devices. Locking down the computer screen, hiding any keys or passwords, and deleting any sticky notes with password information on them are all options.
Another way workers can help protect the company is by keeping an eye out for those who aren’t employees in employee-only areas. A simple greeting such as “Hello, have we met?” or “May I assist you?” can be a great, non-confrontational way to encourage physical protection. This, along with all other security protocols, should be included in your company’s IT security policy.
