However small or large your business is, there’s always bound to be risks, whether human, physical, or technological. It’s not enough to know how to run it. It would help if you also protected both physical and digital assets and the safety of your employees.
Extensive damage can occur anywhere in your company that can potentially destroy what you worked hard to grow. The following are various ways you can keep different sectors of your business safe from harm:
1. Digital Security
Here are some ways to improve digital security:
- Use SFTP programs for securing file transfers. SFTP means a secure file transfer protocol that allows you to safely transport files from one machine to another over a secured connection. The client-server is a safe storage where you can store away information like a vault, and at the same time, take out data safely. With an STFP program, your files will be difficult to intercept by anyone outside of the company.
- Ensure to make use of strong passwords and to schedule password changes across all networks. Only essential personnel must have access to login details. Warn all staff never to open links from unfamiliar email sources. The IT staff must use encryption and updated anti-virus software to prevent malware and virus. Lastly, inform remote workers never to use public Wi-Fi while accessing company accounts.
- Your company is most likely operating with the use of computers and other electronics. A power interruption or surge can cause data losses. In rare cases, electrical surges can cause damage to your equipment. If most business information is in your computer systems, it’s essential to back up every document. In case of fires and floods, use different storage mediums such as fireproof external drives and cloud storage such as Dropbox and iCloud, depending on the type of information that needs security.
2. Physical Infrastructure Security
Below are a few ways to improve digital security:
- Any building, no matter the size, must have fire exits and fire extinguishers. It’ll also help if the building has sprinklers scattered in various parts of the infrastructure.
- Install security deadbolts to keep intruders at bay. Employ CCTV or security cameras and alarms. They don’t have to be sophisticated or expensive—you can find so many DIY cameras that are easy to install and use. There are also cameras that you can easily integrate with your smartphone so you can monitor the premises of your business anywhere you may be.
- Cover glass window with dark film to protect privacy. You can have the film placed over the windows and have door and window sensors installed to prevent break-in attempts. You may have to get them separately since they don’t come with security cameras and alarms. It’s also an added safety measure for your staff in distress.
- Natural disasters like earthquakes can occur. Your staff must be trained through earthquake drills to minimize chaos once it strikes. Employ a comprehensive disaster plan to arm your employees with the information on key locations in the workplace to hide, get safety gear, medical kits, fire extinguishers, and the evacuation routes.
3. Human Risks
Check out how you can reduce human risks below:
- The human resource department must never skimp on employment background checking. Screening applicants properly will ensure that only individuals with specific expertise and credible employment histories represent your company. It would also allow a glimpse of the applicant’s character. However, background checks only allow detailed information depending on the state you’re in, so it’s essential to know the law. You can also use websites to check the background information of your applicants. You have the choice to make use of different methods to gain access to certain details about applicants.
- Protecting your business also means looking into your current employees. Your company is at risk if you have certain people with alcohol and drug abuse issues. They should be allowed and encouraged to seek treatment immediately before their addiction worsens and affects their job performances.
- Prepare for illnesses, injuries, and other unexpected events that can affect productivity in the workplace. You can train new hires or cross-train regular personnel to handle essential tasks to compensate for absentees.
- Protect your business against theft and embezzlement by employing double-signatures and strengthening verification processes. Make sure that only authorized accounting personnel to have access to computer systems. They must also know to perform stringent accounting procedures to spot anomalies and prevent fraud.
. In Conclusion
Protecting your business from various risks isn’t easy. It’s another burden on your shoulders aside from running the company itself. You can easily miss things that also need your attention. It’s essential to seek help from professionals who can help you secure your business’s various aspects before it’s too late.
