Questions Your Business Should Be Asking About Physical Security
Security is fundamental to every business, whether it’s digital or physical security at play. Business leaders often have an overwhelming amount of concerns relating to protecting business data, client information, and the physical security of their facility, storefront or offices. Often, physical security protocols lag behind the most recent threats causing future risks to increase. As a leader in IT and a Managed Service Provider with options for physical security installation, there are some questions that your business leadership may want to consider when shopping around for the best physical security solutions. Here are some questions your leadership may want to consider to get you started on your journey toward a more secure workplace environment.
What Are My Current Security Protocols?
A good place to start when looking to upgrade an existing security system or install a new one is to do a comprehensive review of what your current protocols are and how they have served your business in the past. It’s rare to find a business that doesn’t already have some rudimentary form of physical security, but as Bob Dylan said, “The times, they are a-changin’.” Security threats are constantly evolving, so enhancing the physical security of your business can significantly reduce the potential for break-ins, thefts, internal bad actors and vandalism while reassuring your workforce and potentially reducing your insurance premiums.In this first pass of assessing the security of your business, create a list of current modes of security including any weaknesses that may be apparent. Visible weaknesses are a huge red flag that could practically invite criminals to take advantage. Additionally, keep a list of ways that your company has scaled up recently that may be putting a strain on your security system either through increased personnel putting a strain on internal access controls or by stretching your perimeter security to a breaking point. All of this information can help you choose the right security system for your company.
What are Trending Physical Security Threats?
While it is important for business leaders to know what current strategy they employ for their business security, it is also critical to understand what threats are out there on the horizon that could become a problem in the future. Staying knowledgeable of these potential threats is not easy, as most business leaders find the lion's share of their valuable time spent on running a successful business. This is where hiring a managed partner to install and manage your security technology becomes consequential. Experts in physical security can help your team understand what risks and vulnerabilities exist for your company and where safeguards can be placed to ensure your continued security well-being.
How Is My Business Different?
One size does not fit all in terms of business security needs. Businesses run the gamut of those needing full access controls for a large staff while others need more external surveillance such as security cameras and alarm monitoring. Customization is key when it comes to the health and security of your business. That’s why it is pivotal to examine what makes your business different. For instance, does your company have a warehouse, fencing, third-party vendors that visit regularly, or other components that make your security needs more complex? Knowing how your business differs from others is a good step in determining your security solution needs. This is why seeking the help of an experienced security provider can help shore up any gaps in your security protocols is imperative.
What Types of Security Do I Need?
Now that a risk assessment and overall inventory have been completed on your business’s security needs from both your leadership and IT teams, it is a good idea to review the types of security that may be useful to your company. For instance, in designing the best security system for your business, you will want to examine security options such as perimeter security, the need for security cameras, access control needs, alarms, monitors and intercoms that can keep your data, employees and business assets safe.
What Kinds of Physical Barriers Will My Business Need?
Determining what kinds of physical barriers your business will need is a good way to look at the broader view of how someone with malicious intent could gain access to your business. For instance, does your storefront, office, or warehouse need access control credentials, wireless locks, access control readers and so on to prevent outsiders from entering or members of your workforce from accessing high-security areas? Your security provider can help you evaluate those needs as well as other needs such as fences, barriers, alarm systems, and security cameras that can deter and alert to the presence of an intruder. Access control technology can help monitor certain areas and let managers or leadership know who has gained entry and for how long. Digital logbooks can also help maintain security by keeping a running list of visitors to your facility and who they visited during their time at your business.
How Can Intercom Systems Increase Security?
For some small businesses, an intercom system may seem like a splurge, but the ability to communicate with all the members of the team can become critical especially if your business often hosts visitors or clients. The ability to use audio-only or video conferencing is yet another layer of security that allows for the verification of the identity of visitors.
Does My Industry Require Certain Security Protocols?
Some industries, such as the legal and healthcare fields, have certain security requirements. Your business may need security features that meet certain regulatory standards, such as video verification logs in addition to your surveillance system. Tell your security provider what those needs are and they can customize your technology to provide all the protection and safeguards needed.
Do you Have Regular Employee Security Training?
It is one thing to have a security plan, it is quite another to have ongoing and regular training to inform and teach your workforce to identify threats and make good use of security best practices. Your security provider should be able to assist in maintaining your workforce’s knowledge of what’s new in your security protocols. Want help choosing a comprehensive security system for your business? Talk to our team at Spectra Networks and find out more about your solutions by Verkada and how they can help your business stay ahead of the curve in the world of business security.
