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Congratulations on opening your own business or getting your business address. Let’s now talk about security.
No matter if you’re providing customer service or a product to customers, there is always a risk in handling the information you have. This applies both to you and your customers. It is a smart idea to have safeguards in place so that you are prepared for any potential problems.
While protecting sensitive information is essential, it’s also important to ensure that your premises are safe. Safety plans and precautions can make everyone feel more comfortable.
A Code of Conduct for Proper Conduct should be created
You should create a Code of Conduct before you hire your first employee. The Code of Conduct should describe what acceptable behavior is within the office and what consequences will follow if someone violates these terms. Although it does not have to cover all actions, this document should outline the most important areas like protecting company property or keeping confidential information safe within company premises.
Your employees should receive a Code of Conduct upon their hiring. They should also sign that they will adhere to it. You can make any necessary changes to the document and notify all employees.
Your employees should have a copy of the Code of Conduct available at all times. It should also be kept in their individual employee files.
You can schedule a weekly or monthly shredding appointment
Your documents must be protected beyond the security measures you have installed on your computer. Many documents that contain customer or business information are kept on paper. It is safer to schedule shredding every other week or month. This will make it easier for everyone to set aside documents for shredding before they are due.
You can choose to shred on a different schedule if you find weekly or monthly shredding too tedious. It is important to have a consistent schedule for shredding old documents.
Audits to be scheduled
Audits are scheduled annually to increase the security of documents and information. You will be able to check the documents that your employees keep in both paper and electronic form. Audits can help you identify security gaps that need improvement after you have completed the audits.
Get the most from the audits that you do. Once you have identified the areas that need improvement, look at what you can do about them. Don’t put it off. This will make it easier for security weaknesses to be exploited.
Audits are not meant to find faults in employees. Audits are there to assess the security measures you have in place for computers and your office. This should be stressed when notifying your employees about the audits. You will be clear about your purpose when conducting an audit.
Designate Computer Access Levels
It doesn’t matter if your company uses one computer or a network of computers, it is important to designate a username per user. You should limit access to your employee’s profile after you have created a username. This will ensure that you are aware of what your employee has access to and that you don’t have any problems with any unapproved changes.
It is important to protect each user’s password. Users should use a combination of capital letters, numbers, and special characters for their passwords. Passwords should be changed every 30 to 45 days. To prevent unauthorized access, lock computers and make sure employees are always at their desks. Employees should be responsible for password protection. They should not write down passwords on paper, and they should never share them with anyone.
Plans for Emergencies
You should have emergency plans in place, whether you are at work or at home. Instructions should detail what to do in the event of an emergency such as fire, robberies, or theft. You should include complete numbers to call the police or emergency services in your safety plan.
It is important to clearly outline an evacuation plan and place it in a visible area so that employees can see it and become familiar with it. Employees should be reminded of safety tips and reminders regularly.
Office Security Guards, Alarms & Cameras
It is better to have safety measures in place than wait for an event to force them to be put up. It is a smart decision to invest in security companies that have 24/7 protection. You should make sure all doors, windows, and storage areas are secured and monitored.
It is important that your office be visible from the street. Most thieves and burglars will not be attracted to hidden businesses. An audio alarm can help reduce the risk of your business being missed if it is not visible.
Adequate Normal & Security Lighting
Lighting is essential for both the interior and exterior of your building. Always leave an emergency light on in your office to allow security personnel and police to see it. Good lighting is essential for the perimeter.
This is a simple precaution. This precaution not only protects your space but also ensures that your employees are safe in the event of an emergency.
These are just a few tips you should consider once you have established your business. This will require time and effort from you and likely won’t be very cost-effective. Security measures are not an extra cost. Security measures will cost you far less than any loss your business may suffer from a security breach.
You may also like: 6 Best Strategies to Improve Business Security
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