Have you taken into consideration your office security? Just because you’re a small operation doesn’t mean your immune. Be sure to check out this blog post to learn how you can protect yourself and your employees. Click here for more information!
You take the time to protect your company’s website, customer data, and computer systems.
You even have a plan to keep your employees safe around
But when it comes to your physical office security, you might think that the remote location of your office, or even the small size of your business, means that you don’t need to take office building security as seriously as larger companies do.
The truth is that security risks are everywhere, from your office’s parking lot to the front door of your office.
With workplace shootings unfortunately on the rise, it’s time to make your small business security priority number one.
Unsure of how to begin?
Let this post fill you in on all the basics.
Cameras Throughout the Building
It can be pretty difficult to know who is coming and going in and out of your office without the installation of security cameras.
Plus, if something does end up happening, you want to be able to review your security tapes in order to find the culprit as soon as you can — before they harm someone else.
Cameras help to keep your building secure.
Additionally, even just the sight of these cameras alone might be enough to deter a criminal from entering your building.
So, where should you put your cameras?
Your office’s parking lots and stairwells are two of the most important places to monitor. If you have an entrance hall or waiting room, install them there as well.
You should also include cameras in your elevator, as well as one to monitor the interior of your office.
When you’re looking for the best in security cameras, be sure to visit the SensorNation website. In addition to security cameras, they also offer security mirrors, business radios, and other loss prevention and security systems.
A Security Guard
Another effective way to keep your building secure?
By hiring a security guard to serve as a physical blockade and monitoring system.
Especially if your company sees a lot of foot traffic, it helps to have someone there to check the identification of and verify the appointments of people who are trying to make their way into your building.
Having a guard at the entrance to your office building also does wonders for the general feeling of safety of your employees. Even just knowing that someone is there can improve your office security and make your team feel safer about coming into work every day.
Keep them so that they’re visible from the outside.
Plus, a security guard is also an awesome way to prevent pesky salespeople from interrupting your office hours with their sales pitches!
An Alarm System
Office security isn’t just about protecting your building — and everything inside it — during the typical workday.
It’s also about ensuring that, after your employees have left for the day and you’ve locked up your front door, your building is still protected from intruders.
This is where installing an alarm system comes into play.
Many of today’s alarm systems are especially high-tech. They come with motion sensors that can send you alerts or trigger cameras when someone comes up to your front door.
If you decide to hire a security guard overnight, they can also communicate directly with the person outside. This way, they can let them know that someone is there without putting their personal safety at risk.
Plus, an alarm system will cause the police to come to your office and check out the situation. So, even if an intruder does make their way into your building, it likely won’t be long before law enforcement catches up with them.
Finally, as with the presence of a security guard or cameras, an alarm system can act as a deterrent to criminals. When they’re casing the neighborhood, they’re not going to rob a building that they know has an alarm system installed.
A Company-Wide Security Policy
One of the most important aspects of business security is making sure that your employees are all on the same page when it comes to your policies.
Especially in today’s world, the sad reality is that there’s really no such thing as being “overly cautious.”
We strongly suggest that you require each of your employees to carry an identification card with them, and to potentially scan that ID card in order to gain access to the office building.
If you work in a building with other companies, meet with their managers and discuss ways that you can work together to keep everyone in the building safe.
Above all, always take the time to review common security drills and rules with everyone on your team. Make sure they know the protocol in the event of an emergency, and try unannounced drills to make sure everyone is prepared.
Your team does so much for you, and you want to prove that you value their safety by showing a serious commitment to improving your company security.
Upgrade your Office Security Today
We hope that this post has encouraged you to rethink your office security strategy, identify gaps in your own strategy, and figure out new ways to keep everyone on your team safe.
Remember to focus on getting the right security equipment, potentially hiring a security guard, and making sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to security procedures and protocol.
Looking for more ways to help your employees feel safe at work?
Want to understand how office security increases productivity and decreases employee stress?
If so, spend some time on our website to learn more about how to create an office environment that for all.
