With Thanksgiving weekend behind us, it is back to business as usual as we get ever-closer to the hustle and bustle of December. Before it gets too busy, this is the perfect time to review your company’s office security.
In fact, now is the time of year to determine whether there are any vulnerabilities you need to be aware of during the holiday season when employees are away and you have closed up shop for some well-deserved time with friends and family.
There’s a wide number of ways that criminals can disrupt your operations during the holiday season, with some of the most common including:
- Burglars looking for cash, computer equipment or client information;
- Break and enters;
- Vandalism;
- Or arson.
To ensure that your business stays secure through the winter season, consider these security tips:
1. Secure workstations
Disconnect and remove computers that are not currently being used. Lock all paperwork in filing cabinets and use a locked box for paperwork waiting to be shredded.
2. Protect your printers
Modern printers often store documents in their onboard memories. If a printer is stolen or hacked, access to copies of recently printed documents will be granted. Ensure your printer is in a secure location and make sure all extra copies of printed documents are protected.
3. Use a fire and security rated safe
Lock all money and financial information in a safe that meets your insurer’s guidelines. Restrict access to the combination and change it often.
4. Lock-up your server room
Restrict access to your server room to those who have passed a high-level security clearance, and use a managed access control system to ensure that only they can enter the room. Also, ensure your server room location cannot be accessed through neighbouring business’ common walls.
5. Limit roof and upper floor access
Remember to consider exterior ladder, landscaping, drainpipes, signage, window frames, storage units, ledges, dumpsters and walkway covers - they all provide a stepping stone, or a ladder, to access your upper floors and windows and can make your property more attractive to criminals.
6. Increase visibility
In most situations, good lighting helps reduce crime. Light up the area around your building at night. It will deter criminals and allow passersby to easily spot suspicious activity.
7. Decrease visibility of inside your property
Close window blinds and turn interior lights off so thieves cannot “shop” prior to breaking into your property.
8. Verified alarm system
Install a verified alarm system to ensure quick police response times to catch criminals in the act. Due to its ability to verify alarms, Sonitrol Westerm Canada has the highest criminal apprehension rate and the lowest false alarm rate in the industry.
9. Integrated security system
Install an integrated security system that is unique to your office’s needs. SonaVision, central monitoring, access control management and audio intrusion detection, are just some of the innovative technologies that you can customize to create a robust security solution that works for the unique needs of your business.
If you're interested in finding out more about workplace security for your office, talk to one of our Sonitrol security experts about ways that you can improve your professional office security.
