Effective Small Business Security Systems

Before commencing a business, a small business must have a “security check list for a small business” or an information security policy for small business plan ready and in place. Physical security systems are a must in all businesses. More so in small businesses, because large companies are usually closed to the public and they have a lot more resources to guard their premises with personnel and electronic security systems.

A small business, therefore, is more vulnerable to attacks and intruders, and so the role of physical security systems assumes more importance in a small and medium enterprise (SME).

SME security concerns

The security concerns of a small business will depend on the kind of business they are engaged in. For example,

• Small companies that are into prototype or software development may want to guard their blueprints/codes from intruders or even from employees who can steal the blueprints/codes and sell them to competitors. Software codes are easier to steal as they can be passed on through emails, instant messengers, or telephony software too.
• Likewise, an established small company may be developing a new product and will surely want to safeguard the development progress and the plans from competitors and employees.
• A company that deals in valuable commodities such as gold or diamonds will need security from theft, and therefore a close monitoring of the workplace area with the help of small business video security equipment.

Security concerns bring forth the need for different security systems. Hence, different concerns need different security systems or devices.

Dangers of overlooking security

Compromising on the security aspect by a small business security systems - whether due to not realizing its seriousness or in order to cut down on expenses - can turn out to be a very expensive lesson to learn. Profits are bound to erode and turn into losses as thefts increase, secrets leak out, blue prints or codes are duplicated, and products are marketed in the name of a competitor. Sometimes an employee himself can turn into a competitor when he does all this while on the job and one day announces his resignation. Only later on do you get a rude shock that he has become your competitor.

All SMEs may not be giving a whole lot of importance to SME security, but they are certainly catching up as they realize the consequences of compromising on security. The bottom line is that they have to secure their business or face the consequences.

Security checklist for SMEs

Though the best person to plan for SME security is the owner, here is a brief checklist:

• The location: You must assess the possible threats to your business location not only from unauthorized entry but also from what is surrounding the location (for example, industrial parks, business parks, power plants, etc.) and plan for security measures. You may need fencing, site surveillance CCTV, patrolling guards, etc. You may need indoor patrolling too.
• Entrances and exits: List down the various entrances and exits, especially the ones that give access to areas or rooms that need high security. You may need to monitor such sensitive spots with CCTV. Also check to see if you would need door alarms installed on some doors.
• Workplace layout: Before planning for security, you must work on the workplace layout design. A detailed design will segregate the secured zones from the unsecured ones and will define the office space by dividing into vulnerable and non-vulnerable areas. Once you have a strong layout in place, choosing the right security systems will not be a difficult task.
• Authorization levels: There should be different authorization levels depending on the hierarchy of an employee in the organization. Higher up employees can be allowed access to secured data while employees down the hierarchy should not be. Then there are cross-department access issues. You have to plan the authorization levels and lay down who gets to see what in your company.
• Personnel screening: You must establish personnel-screening programs and these will depend again on the areas, the raw materials, and the issues the personnel are working on. Personnel working in high-threat zones must be screened thoroughly and regularly.
• Security documentation: You must lay down all your security policies in a document and communicate them to your employees, preferably before they are employed, so that they know what is coming. Nothing is sacred, so you may feel the need to change a certain policy or rule if someone has got around it. Therefore, it is a good idea to review your security policy routinely and change it if required.
• Material handling: You must establish detailed procedures when it comes to material handling, especially sensitive, valuable, or hazardous materials. Only employees trained in handling such materials should be allowed access to areas where these materials are handled.

After checking on all the factors that impact the security small business, you can decide on the appropriate security devices to install. And if you use products manufactured by reputed companies, you can relax and run your business smoothly.