5 Ways To Improve Security For Your Small Business

A small business is often viewed as a gold mine to a criminal. There is sometimes the idea that small businesses are underprepared, which makes them an easier target. In fraud, small businesses are 200 times more vulnerable to attacks than their larger counterparts.

Are you doing everything in your power to mitigate security threats to your small company? Learn what security steps you should start working towards today.

1. Identify Risk Factors

When some criminals strike, they do so with intent and a clear goal in mind. Make sure you know what specific features of your business would make it attractive to an intruder. For example, with a bank, the apparent risk is the cash you keep on hand, and for an electronics store, it would be the expensive merchandise you keep in stock.

Don't assume you don't have anything valuable. If you're a small office, the files you keep with your clients' identity information would be highly valuable in the wrong hands. Assess all your potential targets to formulate a plan for protection.

2. Install a Controlled-Access System

When you can control who has access to your building, you can significantly lower the threat of an intruder. A controlled-access system can help you gain this power. Controlled-access systems function by use of a code, fingerprint scan, badge card, or another mechanism to unlock a door, which makes them harder to penetrate than a standard lock.

In the event of employee concerns, controlled-access systems allow you to reconfigure access at any time. If an employee is terminated, you can deactivate their access code immediately. The system also provides an opportunity to monitor who is in the building at all times.

3. Perform Background Screenings

An individual's background is not always an accurate assessment of their future potential, but this information is yet vital. Background checks might be time-consuming and sometimes expensive, but they are well worth their cost.

As much as 75 percent of employees admit to stealing at least once from an employer. Even more startling is the fact that more than 30 percent of all business bankruptcies are the result of in-house theft. A background screening can help you protect yourself from those individuals who have a record of employee theft and might be seeking a role with your company with the sole intent of stealing.

4. Implement an Active-Shooter Plan

Active-shooter scenarios are becoming more and more common in society. History has taught that predicting these horrific events is challenging but having a comprehensive plan for action in place can minimize their impact.

Within this plan, establish a notification system, which is a process you will use to ensure every person in the building knows that an active shooter is on the premises. Employees should be provided with instruction on how to safeguard themselves, alert the authorities and any options for exiting the building when it is safe to do so.

5. Invest in Protection

The most critical move small business owners can do is to invest in security. On-site guards can help you identify your risk, monitor employees, and help you design and implement an active shooter plan.

However, security protection can also help your team feel safer and boost their morale, improve your customer's experience, and, most importantly, help you identify and correct security red flags that you may not even be aware of. On-site security enhances your small business on every front.

Don't leave your business unprotected. Your efforts to train your team paired with the skill of a professional security specialist can tremendously lower your risks. Contact Intellex Security so that we can discuss our security options with you.