The importance of physical security remains crucial for businesses as we begin a new year. Businesses must be vigilant and, more importantly, proactive in safeguarding the most valuable assets they have: the people they employ. Here are three key areas businesses must consider when looking over their security areas to start the year:
Access Control — Access control devices are the first line of defense against theft within a business. Jason Fischbeck, president of Automated Environments in Mesa, Arizona, says all businesses should invest in quality access control systems, especially for any areas that hold important documents or information. “The last thing you want as a business owner is for your client’s or employee’s personal information to be stolen,” he says. “Having quality access controls to critical areas of the business will deter potential thieves from accessing this information.”
Traditional locks and keys are some of the easiest security protocols to break through. Better choices are key number pads or fingerprint access controls, which allow the owner or management to know who has availability within certain areas and keep track of who is entering any critical rooms.
On-Site Physical Presence — Having an onsite trained physical security team is important for most businesses. Having a visible security presence not only enhances the feeling of safety for employees and customers, but also serves as a deterrent against any unauthorized access to the property and any other criminal activities.
Emergency Preparedness — Businesses must always prioritize creating emergency plans to protect employees during dangerous situations. Conducting regular drills helps employees become familiar with evacuation procedures and clearly identified emergency exits and assembly points enables the business to easily account for everyone. Additionally, businesses should invest in modern communication systems that enable quick communication amongst employees and management during emergency situations. By creating an environment of preparedness, businesses can minimize any dangers to employees and help promote a safe work environment for all.
By reinforcing safety protocols such as access control and physical security and promoting emergency preparedness, businesses can be prepared for difficult situations if they arise.
Bill Herzog is the CEO of Tempe-based LionHeart Security Services. Herzog is an expert in the private business security industry and has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience.
