Business Security threats depend on a multitude of factors, from the sector your business operates in, the location of your premises, what security measures are in place, etc.
In this article, we are going to advise on a range of business security issues in order to help your business mitigate threats.
1 – Be clear on your security objectives
If you do not currently have a security system in place, make sure that plans are in place to get one. With or without a security system, you need to think of the overall objectives of your security for your business. Do you want to track the entry or exit of people into a building? Do you want to use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras to track the vehicles? Do you require high-definition IP CCTV cameras to identify potential intruders? Does your current system meet these requirements? What systems will you need to ensure you can do what your premises requires? You will need to evaluate what you require to ensure your business security needs are fully met – we recommend that you speak to a security system company that can help advise you.
We would recommend that you first speak to a trusted security systems company to allow them to offer advice based on your individual needs. Most offer, like here at Clarion, free site surveys which will allow you to get expert security advice.
2 – Understand how your current security system is performing
If you currently have a system in place then you need to understand how the system(s) are performing. Ensure that you do regular walk tests to make sure your systems are operating correctly.
The health and upkeep of your security systems are paramount to its longevity and to how it will perform on a daily basis. We strongly recommend that all clients have an annual maintenance contract in place.
3 – Consider specific risks based on your sector
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, each sector has its own unique risks. Warehouses will be concerned about reducing break-ins and the theft of assets inside them, whereas a commercial office may want to limit access to certain areas for specific employees.
We recommended that you look at industry reports and think about specific crimes that may apply to your business. Talking to a business security company will ensure that you get the expert advice that you need.
4 – Make one person responsible for your business security
Identifying a key member of staff who has been with your company for a long time, and who you deem as trustworthy, would be ideal to oversee your security. This could be yourself, or someone who has the capacity to over security for your premises.
The person does not need to be a security expert and understands everything security, they just need to be able to:
- Act as one point of contact for all security system providers
- Keep a detailed record of who has access to sensitive security information, and add/remove people when necessary.
- Update keyholder information
- Ensure security systems are maintained and any faults are fixed in a timely manner
- Be the site owners point of contact if they have a query in regards to security
5 – Keep sensitive business security details to a few
Keeping sensitive details to only those people that you trust, and who need to know, is paramount to business security. You need to be aware or who knows what and why they may need critical business security information. If someone leaves who has access to sensitive data then make sure these passwords are changed and any accounts removed.
6 – Make sure you have the right keyholders in place
You need to ensure that the keyholders you list are going to be able to respond to a security incident in a timely manner and live close to your premises. You also need to ensure that any new phone numbers that a keyholder may have are then updated with your remote monitoring partner. If they have old contact details then the remote monitoring operative will not be able to contact your keyholder(s) which would result in delays to any incident on your site.
7 – Ensure that you do not overshare
Always ensure that you do not overshare to the outside world, especially on social media. Do you have a shut-down period over Christmas? Or is your out-of-office telling people that your offices are shut? Always ensure that you do not share too much information that would make a potential criminal take note that your premises will be unmanned for a certain period of time.
8 – Use signs to deter criminals
Using CCTV signs can help you counter criminality against your business. As well as displaying them to deter criminals, CCTV signs are a legal requirement, so you need to ensure that you have them around your premises to comply with UK law.
9 – Be aware of changes
Although smaller sites tend to be easier to manage, no matter how large the site, changes need to be relayed to all parties, especially the person(s) in charge of your business security. A minor change could compromise your site’s security – planting a tree outside your fence could ultimately end up reducing your CCTV view and help would-be criminals access your site due to this security lapse.
We recommend that you have routine walkarounds of your site to spot any potential security lapses and make a plan of work to get any issues rectified before they become problematic. As part of our maintenance contracts, our engineers check your systems are operating correctly and will bring to your attention any potential issues i.e. blocked detectors or changes in your detection coverage.
10 – British summertime
Changes in British Summer Time each year will affect your security systems and longer days can make your premises more vulnerable.
There is a combination of the bank holidays, often leaving your building unattended and staff holidays, increasing the risk of vandalism and theft.
Intruder alarms, access control systems, or CCTV systems should have their settings adjusted to match the change to British Summer Time. You may also want to check the positioning of your cameras to ensure there are no issues caused by sunnier days, i.e. cameras could be affected by direct sunlight.
Finally, external lighting arrangements should be reviewed and adjusted as natural light increases. Such adjustments can save on your electricity bill also.
11 – Review your technology
Technology, in all forms of our life, never stands still. This is the same in the security systems world, cameras now come with analytics which can help with a whole host of business security issues, access control systems can allow access with fingerprints, retina scanning, and mobile phones.
When it comes to your business, advances in technology may help a specific business need. There will be an expense when upgrading your security systems, therefore you will have to determine the cost of the upgrade versus the benefits it will bring.
It is always essential to make sure that your business infrastructure can handle any upgrades to your systems.
12 – Ensure you have a crisis management plan in place
Unexpected security incidents do happen, and when they do it is essential that you have a plan in place that details how to handle different scenarios and information such as key contacts, assembly points, processes, and crisis reviews to ensure you mitigate any chances of the incident happening again.
13 – Look what your security systems capture
Is your CCTV system capturing footage that is relevant to your business? Sometimes requirements change and/or new threats emerge, we recommend checking that your CCTV is focusing on the right areas in order to cover all of your security requirements.
14 – Maintenance is key
Installing, or upgrading, a security system comes with a cost and investment. As a vital business security asset, you need to ensure that the system is operational and any faults are fixed to protect this investment. A maintenance contract for your system(s) will help protect the investment and prolong its lifespan, giving you a higher return in the long term.
15 – Think outside of your premises
Security risks can be internal and external, in order to increase your business’s security you need to constantly think about both. Some forms of outside threats could be:
- Construction works close to your premises may increase footfall past your site and make people aware of what assets you have.
- Trees outside a perimeter fence which may help criminals gain access to your premises easily
- Lack of visible security which makes your premises look like an easy target. A security system is a deterrent to most criminals.
Assess the level of risk each change poses and consider what measures you can put in place to reduce those risks.
16 – Reduce false alarms
There are a number of steps that your company can take to help reduce or/and eliminate false alarms:-
- Train your staff on the system
- Walk around the premises before leaving and ensure all windows and doors are closed and secure
- Communicate with your Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) if you intend to open/close the premises outside the usual agreed times – this is usually only relevant to your monitored CCTV system.
- Investigate any false alarms to prevent a recurrence.
- Appoint an NSI approved company to carry out preventive services on the alarm system.
- If your premises are altered in a way that could affect the efficiency of your system, discuss this with your provider.
- Excessive false alarms will normally lead to police response being withdrawn, which in term may affect your insurance cover.
17- Let providers know
If you are undergoing large-scale updates to your IT network infrastructure, or changing your ADSL provider and have a new IP address, then it is essential you let your security system partners know, as this could result in potential downtime for your system(s).
Having an open dialogue with external parties when you are undergoing essential large-scale works helps keep all parties informed.
18 – Make sure your bills are paid
It seems obvious, but paying your bills will ensure that your electricity, internet, and phone lines continue to work. Without these then your CCTV and intruder alarm monitoring could be cut off, leaving your premises without any security in place. If you move business banks ensure that any direct debits or standing orders move as well.
19 – Make sure sensitive documents are shredded or stored safely
Not everything is kept on a computer, some documents remain in paper format. It is essential that these are stored in a safe place with adequate security systems protecting these documents.
A routine check-up. either on a monthly basis or once a year, to understand if any documents need to be shredded will allow your business to keep on top of paper documentation and to stop older documents, that may no longer be needed, to be securely destroyed and disposed of.
20 – Audit your security
Scheduled audits of your security systems on at least an annual basis. This means checking security systems, procedures and how staff perform certain actions. This is not to catch anyone out, it is so that you can ensure correct security procedures are followed, and if not some re-training may be required.
Make a note of where your business security can improve, and what needs to be done to achieve this so you reduce weakness in your security.
21 – Computer Access Levels
Computers are key to most businesses, and everything is pretty much online. As they are so integral to business operations, they are also a vulnerability too.
Every employee should have a unique username that identifies them when they log onto your network, and you should limit the access they have depending on the role at your company.
Strong passwords are also key, we recommend that you use a variety of words, special characters, and numbers to ensure that your password is not easily guessed. When leaving their workstation getting employees into the habit of locking their system will prevent access to your computer systems.
22 – Upgrade your keys
Key control is a headache, knowing who has what keys and where they are. If a key gets lost then you have to change all of your locks and then re-issue new keys. An access control system using card entry, fingerprint, mobile phone, or retina access can help you manage access to your premises in a more controlled way. If a card is lost, then this can be quickly removed from your system, and a new one re-issued.
Using an access control system will allow you to limit access to certain employees when it comes to sensitive areas and also knows where your staff has been.
23 – Speak with the experts
Security systems are best handled by an expert security systems provider – if you are looking for a company then we would advise that you see the work they have completed before, such as case studies on their website and any accreditations they have. Finding a company that has undergone rigorous external audits shows that they work to a high standard and conform to the very highest audits. NSI gold is the accreditation to look out for, something which we have attained and held for over 15 years.
There are many more tips and advice when it comes to business security, and ensuring that your premises are safe and secure is a daily task. If you would like to talk about how we can help protect your site and deter criminality, please contact us today on 08442 084422 or email us here.
Independent family business, Clarion Security Systems is dedicated to ensuring clients have their security systems needs fully met, and are compliant at all times. We offer a full design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic security solutions, including business intruder alarm systems, business access control and commercial CCTV systems.
Clarion Security systems is an NSI Gold Installer as well as holding the coveted ISO 27001 accreditation. To schedule a FREE site survey please contact us on 08442 084422 or email us today to discuss your needs.
