You might be surprised to find out just how few business owners could name the highest priority security risk facing their company. But it’s not uncommon. Owners spend every second of their lives keeping the wheels in motion, their employees paid, and their heads above water. It’s not that they are negligent, it’s simply that risk management flies under their radar, for a number of reasons.
Some business owners, on the other hand, simply believe prioritizing risk is unnecessary, which is dangerous. We’ve occasionally heard from managers and owners that their budget and schedule does not allow for risk management. Many take a “cross that bridge when we come to it” approach, which is an incredibly slippery slope.
Every business – regardless of size or industry – should take time to create a prioritized list of risks, ranking them in order of importance. The highest-level risks should be those that would be most likely to happen and the most damaging.
Cybersecurity, of course, is more important than ever as we recover from a pandemic. Hackers and phishers are growing increasingly sinister and looking to take advantage of a battered nation. But physical security should not fall by the wayside as a result of a ramped-up focus on cyber defenses. After all, if an intruder can simply walk through the front doors and abscond with personal data, all of the firewalls in the world aren’t worth a byte.
Reassess the potential physical and environmental threats to your facility, and then take the proper steps to mitigate them.
What are your highest priority security risks?
- Intrusion, sabotage, and break-ins
- Inside jobs and theft
- Natural disasters and other workplace emergencies
Whether natural or manmade, workplace emergencies include natural disasters such as floods and tornados; toxic environments caused by gas, chemical, or radiological accidents; explosions; civil disturbances; violence; and viral outbreaks. Make certain your team is prepared by developing an emergency response plan that includes, at minimum:
- Evacuation policies and procedures including specific routes and exits, easily accessible to all employees.
- Detailed reporting procedures.
- Protocols for assisting disabled individuals and those who do not speak English.
- A roster of designated employees in charge of handling critical operations – including shutdown – in the event of an evacuation.
- Methods for accounting for personnel following an evacuation. (Employees’ transportation needs should be considered for mass evacuations.)
Different threats call for different measures. When your highest priority risk revolves around external threats such as vandals, trespassers or thieves, a more integrated, equipment-based approach is likely called for:
- Where possible, reduce visibility of access points, doorways, and windows.
- Secure equipment and computers that can remotely access sensitive data and information.
- Implement access control and proximity card systems to track visitors and store data.
- Implement intrusion detection systems, such as motion detectors and glass break sensors.
- Integrate quality CCTV surveillance systems with all other security measures.
The risks to your business are a moving target and grow and evolve with each passing day. Unfortunately, far too many business owners take a “one and done” approach to mitigation when first opening their doors, and never revisit the strategy as they – themselves – are also growing and evolving. Continued risk analysis is critical. Outlining and prioritizing the dangers your business faces will help you realize what steps you must take, at a minimum, to combat them.
Secom can help you take those steps. Reach out today and we can help you protect your team, your assets, and your future.