Every entrepreneur wants his or her business to be successful and viable for the long haul. However, not planning for physical security risks can place any business at the risk of failure, according to a recent study.
The Journal of Management and Marketing Research says as many as 30 percent of businesses failures may be attributed to criminal activity. The report notes many of these failures impact small and medium size companies.
Physical Business Security Measures
The first thing a small business must secure is its operating location. The real-world around a company site is of extreme importance to its growth. There are several ways companies can go about securing their premises, including the following:
Change the Locks
The standard locks that a commercial building comes with are usually not made to deal with dedicated criminals. Most commercial rental properties will allow tenants to change locks, once the owner also gets a key. Replacing standard bolts with more sophisticated locks should be among the first changes a business makes to ensure its continued security.
Commercial-grade Cameras in Place
Surveillance of a commercial property can add to the safety of the premises as well as serve as a deterrent to criminals. It is important to note that a commercial-grade security camera is different from a consumer-grade camera, and one should not be used to replace the other. Security cameras offer peace of mind, and many systems come with an option for the user to log in to the system remotely and view cameras from anywhere with an internet connection.
Verified Alarm Systems
The age of klaxon alarms to alert the surrounding regions of a break-in seems to be coming to an end. That doesn’t mean the need for security alarms has waned. Instead, companies have started investing in alarms that send notifications directly to security firms, which can then delegate an armed response if necessary. Some businesses may not require that level of security but having a verified alarm that alerts local law enforcement should be high on the list of improvements to any commercial property location.
Don’t Forget to Vet Vendors
Dealing with vendors is part and parcel of being in business so being aware of the risks that come with letting a vendor’s personnel onto the premises should be considered beforehand. In a 2018 survey, SHRM found that as many as 95% of respondents indicated that they did at least one form of screening on employees to determine whether their background was suitable for the job. Understanding the hiring process for vendors can alleviate the risk the company may find itself in. Ideally, businesses should try to avoid interacting with vendors that don’t have transparent hiring practices.
