Whether your business operates from a factory or just a single-room premises, security in the workplace is of crucial importance for all companies. Your work building likely contains multiple high-value items, from computers to cash or perhaps even manufacturing equipment such as panel saws or an elaborate 3D printer that your business requires to keep running.
While break-ins are never pleasant in any setting, when it comes to work security, unwanted access could result in the loss of your livelihood so ensuring adequate protection is even more important. Here are a few ways you can improve your protection at work.
Install a monitored alarm system and CCTV
Alarms aren’t just excellent at detecting unwanted entry – they are also a huge deterrent to break-ins in the first place. This is why it is crucial to choose an alarm from a trustworthy company, like Verisure Smart Alarms UK, so you know you are installing an efficient system. If thieves see your premises are protected by an alarm system, they are far less likely to attempt to try and gain access.
Rather than just using a traditional alarm, think about installing a 24/7 monitored system that will sound an audible alarm as well as sending an emergency alert to the police via landline, cellphone or Internet connection. Also, think about installing CCTV cameras – another extremely effective deterrent to thieves.
Security lighting
Work break-ins are more likely to occur under the cover of darkness at night when buildings are empty. Installing lighting around your premises will make potential intruders think twice about trying to break in. Alternatively, install movement-activated security lights that are triggered when an object enters the range of infra-red beams.
Use access technology
Making use of Access Control systems is a highly effectiveway to dictate who can enter your building and can also be used to monitor the physical traffic through your premises. Access systems have become increasingly more advanced over recent years and include everything from card readers to password terminals and contactless scanners.
If you want the highest level of security, consider investing in a biometric security system. Biometrics scan the user’s characteristics to allow or deny access – everything from facial recognition tech to fingerprint and iris scanners.
Keep valuable documents in a safe
While the equipment in your workplace is valuable, you can’t put a price on important work documents and contracts. Keep these items locked in a fireproof safe for the highest level of protection. You should likewise store any on-site cash in a safe to remove temptation. Remember also to change the password regularly to ensure security.
Appropriate signage
Emergencies of any sorts can be scary, so it’s important that staff know exactly what to do when a situation arises and, crucially, where to go if they need to make their way out of the building. You may wish to read the article at the bottom of this page to learn about why fire exit signs, for example, are so important and then, should you feel you need to get some more, or refresh staff on what to do in case of an emergency, you can get that sorted.
Engage with an employee screening company
Unfortunately, security in the workplace doesn’t just involve protecting against intruders. A significant percentage of theft at work is committed by employees. This can help ensure that the people they hire are trustworthy and have a clean record. These days there are even companies that will check the social media profiles of employees for undesirable posts, attitudes or opinions. Sociologists suggest the social media companies know more about us than our nearest and dearest and an employee’s social profile can often give clues that simply can’t be ascertained at the interview stage.
Establish security protocols – and train your employees
Established fixed security guidelines at work and ensure all your employees are properly trained to follow them too. For example, rather than simply discarding important documents, make sure you and your workers shred them first.
Security at work can encompass everything from physical measures like turning on alarms and locking doors to IT precautions like always making sure employees use antivirus protection on any devices connected to your network. Make sure your employees are all well-versed in your particular safety and security guidelines.
