Whether you’re a small start-up or a large multinational company, being a subject of crime is always a matter for concern. In fact criminal activity against businesses makes up one fifth of all crime related acts. This costs businesses a staggering $45 billion a year. If you don’t want to be part of that statistic, how do you reduce the risk.
Conduct a risk assessment
Carrying out a risk assessment gets you to recognise your vulnerable areas. Some you may already be aware of, but some you probably won’t. This way you can deal with them quickly and efficiently, knowing that you have all your bases covered.
Keep it secure
You might think your premise is secure but flimsy locks and open windows isn’t going to help your cause. Instead look to fit window locks, strengthen doors, and even install security lighting. In fact do what you can to keep it secure.
Protect yourself
Make sure that you know what you need to do in case the inevitable happens. It’s clearly better to give up cash and goods than to get hurt defending it. In addition train your staff to recognise suspicious behaviour and open up a chain of reporting so that staff can do so without any problems.
Limit cash holding
Holding large amounts of cash on the premises isn’t ever a good idea and anyway, that’s what banks are for right! If you have tills, it’s wise to make sure that they’re routinely emptied and make sure that any excess cash is deposited safely into your business account.
Protect stock
Good stock accounting procedures is likely to highlight any anomalies early on and as many crimes are carried out internally, it will also highlight to any staff that stealing from you isn’t a good idea.
Stop theft of information
One of the most up and coming crimes is information theft. Therefore restrict access to computers which hold sensitive information about other employees, takings, clients etc. Do so by creating passwords. However make sure that they’re routinely changed and regularly review those that have access.
Don’t leave sensitive waste paper lying around
Any waste paper which has sensitive company information should be shredded. Don’t just throw it in the bin as it gives greater opportunity for it to end up in the wrong hands.
Carry out regular checks
By carrying out regular audits it’s easy to highlight problems should they occur. In addition carry out regular locker checks to maintain vigilance on staff. This isn’t to say that you suspect anyone, and if you explain the reasons why you’re doing it, most won’t mind. Instead it’s to make them aware that when it comes to security, you don’t mess around.
Be open to suggestions
As the boss, you might not be aware of every aspect of your security (or lack of it). More often those that work on the premises will have a better idea of how you might be able to improve security. By being open to suggestions you might find simpler and more cost-effective ways of protecting your business.
Seek advice from the professionals
Finally, just to make sure you’ve got everything covered you might want to seek advice from a professional security company. They have the expertise in this area and can certainly shed some light on where you might be going wrong, or alternatively where you’ve done well.
If you want to find out more about how to better protect your business then contact MA Services Group. We provide security advice as well as a variety of security services. Contact us on 03 9994 4107 to see just how we can hep you today.
