Office Security: Best practices and procedures
When you hear about workplace safety, it’s most likely that some of the first things that come to your mind include places like factories or construction sites. That’s expected since these are the places where accidents are known to occur. However, if we broaden this term to banks, malls, and hospitals, you can quickly think of a few reasons these places need to be secured at all times. But, what about the office security?
Well, offices can contain a broad range of valuable items – from legal documents, computers, cash, etc. With that in mind, it’s essential to develop a solid security strategy to keep your employees, valuables, and premises safe.
What are potential threats to your office security?
Although it may not seem that obvious, offices can face many threats. Some of the most prominent ones include:
- Vandalism can include anything from destroyed office inventory to lost virtual assets.
- Burglary and Theft also include both virtual and physical stolen assets. If your office is not secured correctly, thieves can break into it and steal valuable documents, money, inventory, and computers. Virtual thieves, on the other hand, can break into your company’s network and steal confidential data and business secrets. Moreover, it’s crucial to keep in mind that burglars don’t only include external individuals; employee theft is also on the rise.
- Unauthorized access is another potential threat to your office since wrongdoers don’t have to break into it aggressively – they can have access to all of your assets if access to your office doesn’t require authorization.
- Extortion may happen if malicious individuals get a hold of your office valuables and refuse to give them back unless a ransom they determine is paid.
Best practices to ensure office security
Now that we’ve covered some of the most prominent threats that can occur in your office, let’s see what the most effective solutions for preventing them are:
Keep all your valuable documents in locked cabinets
This one may be obvious, but ask yourself how often you have left important documents lying around on your desk overnight or even for a few days. Accidents can also happen during the day in case you leave such documents unattended for a while, perhaps during your lunch breaks.
Invest in a high-quality safe
A security-rated and fireproof safe can provide you with peace of mind since you can keep any valuables inside of it. Still, it’s important not to share the combination with too many people, and we also suggest you change it every once in a while to ensure its safety.
Install effective lighting
It’s well known that a high percentage of office accidents happen overnight. With that in mind, it’s essential to install proper lighting in your office and all the entries that lead to it. Passive infrared lighting may be your best option since it’s activated only when there’s a physical activity within its field of vision. It doesn’t have to be pricey, but it can be very efficient at deterring potential vandals and burglars since it makes them feel exposed. Combine these with video surveillance and some warning signs – and you’ll significantly increase your safety levels.
Implement access control
Access control should not be reserved for big companies and premises only; on the contrary, offices can benefit from it as well, no matter their sizes. For instance, you can introduce ID badges for all your employees and have them check-in and out at a visitor management terminal. An even better option is to have a security guard who will control who gets in and out of your office every day. A parking lot security guard is also an excellent option since they can observe who gets in and out of the building. Lastly, you may consider limiting access to certain office areas to only a few employees.
Install a CCTV or an alarm system
As mentioned earlier, covering your office with cameras and putting visible warning signs around the area can deter potential threats and provide valuable evidence if an accident occurs. Besides the cameras, you may also consider installing an alarm system. This security option has been around for a while, but it’s still very effective at preventing crime as well as notifying you or the authorities about an emergency.
Monitor the packages you receive in your office
Depending on the type of work and the risks you may be exposed to, it can be an excellent idea to have someone monitor all the packages that come in and out of your office. This can greatly reduce the risk of getting weapons such as guns and knives inside your office and getting your valuables out of the office unwillingly. You can also consider installing a metal detector at your office entrance if possible.
Final thoughts
Implementing these office security tips can help you rest assured knowing your workplace is fully secured and safe. Still, it would also be helpful if you had your employees included in the process and trained to act accordingly in case of an emergency. While that may seem like too much to take on with your busy schedule, there’s no reason to jeopardize your office safety – get in touch with security guard patrol services who can offer years of experience and expertise in office security.