Employers have a responsibility to create a safe and secure environment for employees to work in. This list will introduce you to four effective ways to improve workplace security so you can prevent break-ins, data leaks, and other potential hazards in the office.
Install Security Cameras and Alarms
If you don’t have a comprehensive security system in place, then that’s your first step to take. After installing an alarm system, teach relevant employees how to arm and disarm the system.
Don’t tell everyone right off the bat, but whoever is the first person in the office and the last person out should know the password so they can arm and disarm it when necessary. Teaming an alarm with a smart camera layout will keep the office secure—even when no one is there.
Set Boundaries
Another basic line of defense that businesses sometimes neglect is keeping unauthorized personnel out of high-security areas. Put clear signage around sensitive areas that state the security clearance any given person needs to be allowed in that area.
There should be a concise security clearance structure for any commercial business. Furthermore, consider giving employees security badges that they can wear which display their security clearance level. Another simple way to keep security boundaries intact is by never allowing visitors to wander off. Any visitor in the workplace should have an employee by their side at all times.
Password Protect Company Devices
If a stranger manages to slip past your security system, they may try to access sensitive data via computers, tablets, and any other company devices nearby. If there’s no security among devices, criminals can access sensitive data with ease.
This is why any and all company devices need password protection in place. Passwords should be complex and unique from device to device.
Teach Employees How To Avoid Reckless Actions
Your employees can be major security hazards if you don’t teach and enforce the right workplace practices. For instance, employees should never write passwords for company devices on a sticky note and place it underneath their desk. It might be something you do at home, but in the workplace, passwords shouldn’t be clearly labeled on the devices they’re for.
Additionally, teach employees about proper document disposal practices. As an employer, it’s crucial to your company to establish a consistent shredding schedule with a NAID AAA certified professional shredding company.
That way, your sensitive data has a secure means of disposal. Your employees, however, will probably assume that they can simply toss documents into the trash when they no longer need them. Teach employees the dangers of throwing sensitive information into the trash and how they should prepare for the office’s scheduled shredding appointments.
These are only a couple of examples for teaching employees to be secure in the office. Evaluate your specific office and workflow so you understand where human error can create a security risk. By teaching employees to avoid reckless behavior on day one, you can immediately diminish a major security hazard.
It’s important to remember that these effective ways to improve workplace security aren’t meant to cause you stress and paranoia. This guide is here to help business owners realize potential security threats and how to prevent them before they strike.
