The Key to Business Safety: Practical Tips for Securing Business Sensitive Items

“Effective cybersecurity is not a product, but a process.” 

– Jim Langevin (Former United States Representative)

When we talk about business security, cybersecurity is the first concern that comes to our mind. But, it is not the only major issue for businesses. You might be surprised to know that 25% of businesses saw a significant increase in physical security incidents since 2023. (Facilities Management Advisor: Business Physical Security stats) 

Well, being a business owner myself, security (be it digital or physical) is the top priority for me. That is why I have implemented some modern solutions to help ensure the safety and protection of all sensitive items. 

If you are also looking for similar solutions, then you are at the right place because, in this article, I will share some effective business safety tips. So, stay tuned to learn all about securing your business-sensitive items.  

Store Sensitive Items In Secure, Locked Locations To Prevent Unauthorized Access

Unauthorized access can result in huge complications and risks. To avoid any of those unfortunate events, I have invested in dedicated looking locations. Whether you simply want to ensure your staff’s belongings remain safe, or you require highly organized and secure storage for sensitive items related to business, these will act as the perfect solution for you. They prevent unauthorized access and only allow those with permission to enter. 

In case you run a minimal operation with a few members of staff and don’t really deal with highly sensitive information, a conventional locker system that uses a lock and key system can work just fine. 

However, for anything more significant and for larger organizations, I would advise you to invest in a smart locker solution. I invested in Yellow Box, one such provider, these smart lockers can be set up to use a raft of access techniques ranging from a mobile application to simple touchscreen access. The idea beyond these lockers is that you can set up company-wide storage solutions that can be controlled directly via your IT team for use by your employees to store their personal belongings or physical items related to business operations.  You can visit their website to learn more or for installation support. 

On that note, the smart locker system market is on the rise and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 19.60% and reach USD 4900 million by 2030. 

Encourage All Employees To Prioritize Security And Report Potential Threats Or Concerns

It is wisely said that security begins and ends with those you work with. That is why I have introduced regular training programs to train my staff on both the correct cyber and physical security protocols. 

In practice, these cover the basics of understanding risks and reporting procedures that must be adhered to if they suspect anything untoward. All employees regardless of position within my company are required to attend these workshops.

If you’re unsure how to set this up, plenty of companies can outsource the task and develop a complete set of training manuals you can hand out to your existing employees and train new ones as part of their onboarding experience. 

Identify Vulnerabilities To Protect Sensitive Business Items Effectively

Being very serious about the security of my premises, I invested resources in enacting a full-scale audit of existing processes and security measures. This helps identify any vulnerabilities we may have perhaps overlooked or that have come about over the years. This saves me a considerable number of issues that can arise if anything gets stolen or is misplaced. 

For this, I hired security experts to explore my business premises and note down any suggestions they see that can be rectified in-house. 

But, if you already have an in-house security team, then you need to get them to perform a full audit of exciting procedures and develop a report to boost security.

Limit Access To Sensitive Areas And Items To Authorized Personnel Only

Trust me, in some instances, something as simple as limiting access only to those who are authorized is the easiest way forward. I was able to achieve it via pretty basic methods like providing passcodes to departments and rooms only to those with a need to access them. 

I also set up a CCTV system, along with a check-in process, to ensure that anyone accessing these secure areas will be documented and held accountable in case of a security breach. 

DO YOU KNOW? 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in remote work, the FBI has reported an increase of 300% in cybercrime. 

Prepare A Strategy To Address Security Breaches Or Losses Quickly And Efficiently

I have expected the fact that any security system cannot be 100% foolproof. Even with the most secure systems, breaches can still occur due to human error. This is an unfortunate aspect of human nature, but one that still needs to be covered nonetheless. 

That is why, in order to reduce the impact of such mistakes, I decided to set up a procedure that addresses any losses of information or items as expediently as possible, this not only minimizes the impact but also gets things back on track with as minor damage as possible. 

In conclusion, ensuring your business premises are secure is never an easy chore, but avoiding these security efforts can only result in severe financial loss and reputational damage if things inevitably go awry. 

By following some of the precautions shared in this article, if not all, you will be able to mitigate the worst of it and keep your business safe from numerous issues that can arise from lax security.

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