If you run a business, it’s important that your office is properly protected against potential security issues.
Office security is important for your company’s success and is critical to the well-being of your staff.
We’ve listed our top ten tips for a safe and secure office to decrease the chances of your office being included in the wrong column of a crime statistics table:
1. Employee Theft Prevention
According to a survey conducted in 2016, UK businesses lose approximately £190 million to theft, with 67 percent of employees admitting they have stolen stationary from their workplace.
There are several measures you can put in place to prevent employee theft within your office. These include: checking the bags of your employees as they leave; having security sensors at entrances and exits; using timesheets to see if anyone is lingering on your premises after hours; and securing store cupboards, lockers and desks with locks or password-protection.
2. Security Officers
Hiring security officers is an effective way to protect your business. Highly trained security staff are able to identify suspicious individuals and behaviour quickly – and will respond accordingly to any crimes committed on your premises. Offices can benefit from having manned security officers positioned near entrances, as these can check ID passes, approach anyone they think might be trespassing and escort them out, instruct visitors to sign logbooks/wear ID passes and contact the emergency services when required.
3. Access Control
Installing access control measures such as ID passes needed to open doors will help you stop potential trespassers from entering your office. Other ways in which to restrict access into your office include always closing doors in busy corridors, preventing people who try to tailgate anyone who genuinely works in the building, renewing employee keys or ID cards annually and implementing access control levels so that only authorised persons can enter certain areas, depending on their role within the organisation.
4. CCTV
One of the most frequently used and effective security tactics in any environment is CCTV. CCTV allows monitoring from remote locations at any time of day or night. Cameras can be installed in places which are difficult to monitor physically and can be maintained by either a dedicated security team or designated employees. CCTV footage also provides valuable evidence that can be used in court, and visible cameras can act as an effective deterrent.
5. Employee Awareness Guidelines
Create employee guidelines. Your employees are one of your best assets when it comes to preventing crime taking place in your office. But only if they are properly trained. Good training will take the form of, not only physical documents, but videos and interactive online training as well. By educating your staff about security measures, you will give them a proper understanding of physical and cybersecurity threats.
6. Update Passwords/PINs
It’s likely that most businesses will have password-protected devices which contain sensitive and important information. If these fall into the wrong hands, it can have a devastating impact on your company. Employees should never disclose their passwords to colleagues or anyone else. Tools such as password managers are able to store passwords in one place securely. Additionally, consider making it mandatory for employees to reset their passwords every 90 days.
7. Evacuation Plan
Ensuring that your employees will evacuate the office safely in the event of an emergency should be of great importance. Evacuation planning helps to prepare everyone and avoid disastrous consequences. Think about having clear passageways to emergency exits, clear signs directing people to escape routes, having the correct amount of exits per floor, using appropriate lighting, creating a safe meeting point outside of the building for staff, giving evacuation training for employees and making employees aware of who is a trained first aider.
8. Alarm Systems
Security alarm systems can warn you of unauthorised persons immediately, with the situation defused as soon as possible. Regularly check that your alarm system is working and updated to prevent criminal activity taking place, and make sure that the alarm system is certified by the Security Systems and Alarms Inspections Board.
9. Motion Sensor Lighting
Having motion sensor lighting to detect when an intruder is entering the premises outside will help to catch out those who are attempting to break in during the night. When a sensor is activated, the light emitted can create a feeling of exposure and of being caught in the act. When installing motion sensor lighting, be sure to hide wires and mains switches/boxes behind objects or underground, so that criminals won’t be able to disable them. Places to put lights include entrances and exits, bushes or garden objects, and shaded areas which have low levels of lighting.
10. Install Reliable Cybersecurity Systems
Most businesses rely heavily on computer systems in order to operate. Computers which are not protected by a suitable firewall are susceptible to cyberattacks. To combat these threats, install an up-to-date cybersecurity solution, use script blockers, set system software updates to automatic and use end-to-end encryption for emails and other communication applications.
Secure On Site Security offers office security solutions for numerous types of businesses – call us for a free, no obligation quote today to find out how we can deliver quality security solutions for your office.
