Starting a business isn’t easy, as you have to balance customer expectations with making a profit. On top of all that, your business may be targeted by criminals if you don’t take the proper precautions. cybercrime, fraud and theft cost UK businesses millions of pounds every year. To run a successful business, you need to make sure you have the right security measures in place. Failing to do so could result in a loss of trust from your customers, lost revenue and the destruction of your brand.
While you can’t tackle criminals yourself, you can implement measures that make your business less of a target. In this article, we’ll be looking at the best ways you can protect your business from potential threats, both online and off.
Physical Security Systems
While many modern businesses focus on the digital world, there are still a great many businesses selling physical products and services. If you own a business that has a physical shop front, warehouse, worksite or equipment, you need to make sure they’re properly protected. The right security system will make a big difference. Most worksites include fire bells and other electronic sounders, which can also be triggered by motion detectors.
An alarm will act as an immediate deterrent when triggered, scaring most criminals away and meaning your business is protected. However, some criminals are less easily scared. In this case, it’s also a good idea to have CCTV. This will primarily act as a deterrent, meaning criminals won’t see your business as a target. However, if they do break in, you can provide the police with all the footage to help track them down.
The type of security system you use will depend on the nature of your business and the value of products, equipment and tools located on the premises. The more value there is to take, the more you should invest in physical security, ensuring that entranceways are difficult to break into and that all areas are covered by visible cameras.
Protecting Your Business from Cyber Threats
Although physical security will always be a concern, the need for cybersecurity systems has only increased over the years. A growing number of businesses now rely on digital and online services, which open up the risk of potential cybercrime. Criminals have become increasingly sophisticated over the years, employing special software to hack into business networks, steal data and cause potentially irreversible damage.
The simplest and most effective way to improve the cybersecurity of your business is to be aware of potential threats. The most common entry for cybercriminals is what’s known as a phishing attack, where the criminal pretends to be a trusted person or business to gain access. Being aware of potential phishing scams and knowing how to spot them is the best defence.
You should also carry out proper data security procedures. It’s important to make sure all of your customer data is encrypted and kept away from prying eyes. Additionally, you should backup your files to prevent issues in case they’re ever deleted or you’re locked out of access through ransomware.
Training Employees
As your business grows, you may need to hire employees to assist you and ensure you have the time to manage the company effectively. The more employees you hire, the greater your need for safety training. Think of your security as like a chain, with each employee being an additional link. If there’s a weak link, it will affect the entire security systemTraining your employees properly to recognise threats and minimise risks is key if you want your business to survive as it grows and expands.
