Workplace security is more important than ever these days, and it’s not just about keeping the doors locked at night (although that is something you must do!). The fact is that your business, no matter how big it is or what you sell, is going to have access to sensitive information, and that sensitive information must be protected. The good news is that with a plan in place and some key (pun intended) ideas to work through, you can keep things secure without feeling like you’re running two businesses at the same time. With that in mind, let’s look at how it can be done; read on to find out more about how to manage security in the workplace.
Why is workplace security important?
If you’re not sure why workplace security is important, it’s going to be hard to get too motivated and make sure it gets done, so the first thing we’ll talk about is why you need to do it. The fact is that when you have good workplace security in place, you can keep your team, data and equipment safe – everything you need to run your business, in other words – and that’s going to make a big difference to your reputation and whether customers want to run the risk of using your business at all.
Plus, in the modern world, security issues can come from anywhere, so it’s not just about physical security, and making sure everything is covered is worthwhile because even if you can’t predict where the problem might come from, you’re still ensuring it’s not going to do any damage.
Start with simple security measures
The good thing about workplace security is that even the smallest and simplest of things can make a difference, which means that starting small and simple isn’t a bad idea – it can help prevent things from getting overwhelming and still give you at least a certain level of security.
One of the smallest and simplest security measures you can put in place is locks. If you can make sure your doors, windows and even filing cabinets are properly locked (and stay locked), that’s a great first step to take, and it’s a good security measure, so why not make that your first job? It won’t matter what other security measures you put in place because if your locks are no good, people will be able to get into your workplace and take what they want anyway.
You can also get your team to wear ID badges, which is a very simple idea, but one that not only helps with security, but also keeps things (and people!) organised at the same time. You’ll easily be able to quickly see who belongs in certain areas and who might be wondering where they shouldn’t be, and just that visual clue could be enough to help you become more secure.
And then there are security cameras too. Installing a few strategically placed cameras can deter potential criminals and intruders and keep an eye on what’s happening around the building. You just must ensure you place them in common areas where they’re going to be most useful and where your team won’t feel as though they’re being watched as they go about their work, as that can be off-putting and could even cause them to be less productive and happy at work.
Use electronic key tracking
If you have sensitive areas in your workplace, like a server room, storage area, or even an executive lounge or meeting room – you’ll want to control who has access to those spaces, and an electronic key tracking system could help with that. This is a system that helps you track who has which keys and when they’re used, so you can manage access to wherever you want without the hassle of missing or stolen keys, which instantly gives you a new security problem with which to contend.
This kind of system can really help when it comes to workplace security because instead of relying on traditional locks and keys, an electronic key tracking system keeps everything organised digitally. There won’t be any more need to ask everyone who has which keys or wondering where you put the keys because you’re the one who had them last – everything’s tracked and monitored, making security smoother and more efficient as a result.
Cybersecurity
We’ve talked a lot about physical security so far, but it’s crucial not to forget about cybersecurity as well – keeping your data safe is just as important (if not more) than locking up your building at night, and here are a few simple tips to improve your digital security.
The first is to have strong passwords, which might seem basic, but strong, unique passwords will stop a lot of security issues, and you’d be surprised at the number of people who use the same easy-to-guess password for everything. Make sure your employees use passwords that are a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, and make it a rule that the passwords are changed every six months or so.
You can also add an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication (or 2FA), which is designed to make it harder for unauthorised users to access accounts, even if they do have (or guess) a password.
Plus, you’ll need to keep your software regularly updated. Yes, those reminders for updates and the fact that the computer usually has to shut down, and you can’t use it for a while are annoying, but if the update is making it harder for hackers to get into your system, surely it’s an annoyance you can be willing to get through for the greater good?
Finally, one of the biggest threats to cybersecurity is human error, and regular training on how to recognise phishing emails, using secure networks, changing passwords and handling sensitive information goes a long way in preventing breaches, and that can go a long way in ensuring your customers want to keep using you, time and time again.