Modern problems require modern solutions, and businesses have to worry about property security as well as cybersecurity. Not every business is susceptible to the same type of crime. Certain businesses are targeted for very specific reasons, and there are factors to consider, such as the company’s size and accessibility.
In the face of security threats, every company has to assess its assets and decide how best to protect them. This can look different to each company.
Here are three modern upgrades for the security of your business that will work across most industries and sectors.
1. Beef Up Your Cybersecurity
Just as an individual has to protect himself from a spoofing attack, a business has to protect itself from outsiders trying to steal valuable assets. Every industry has been remarkably affected by the rapidly expanding Internet of Things (IoT), and the more connected they are online, the more vulnerable they are to cyberattacks.
Once the fifth-generation mobile network (5G) is fully integrated into the business world, companies will experience online operations moving at an unprecedented speed. Businesses using multiple networks to conduct operations are particularly at risk, but 5G has the capacity to unite all connections to the same network. The result is far more manageable. Additionally, as hardware traffic increases, security becomes even more vital.
With these changes in business operations, you will need to rethink how your business stores information. Cyberattacks in recent years are at an all-time high. Now, more than ever, businesses have to rethink their database systems. Decentralization is a hard line of defense and the recommended strategy for online security. The database Blockchain, for example, takes all the information and collects it in blocks chronologically; it then connects those blocks by chain rather than keeping everything in one space. The result is a database that is much harder to attack.
2. Update Your Onsite Security System
When you think of a security system, you likely picture a few cameras hardwired to a recording device with an alarm. Most home and business owners have some line of defense that keeps them alert to unwanted activity on the property. However, security systems have become increasingly more reliable and sophisticated. They’ve also added a bevy of features to make them universal, and most modern systems connect to your smartphone.
For smaller businesses that need something easy to use and relatively inexpensive, it’s best to find something basic with locks, cameras and interior monitors. The important part is to find something wireless. A wired system is more easily deactivated. On the other hand, a wireless system, such as SimpliSafe or Vivint, will be smaller and more easily monitored.
For larger businesses with more extensive security needs and multiple locations, you need a system that offers specialized solutions for your industry. These are the larger security companies, such as Brinks or Vector. They offer commercial-grade equipment and centralized controls with nonstop monitoring. They use push notifications for real-time assistance. The important feature is that they can adjust to meet the specific needs of your location, whereas a smaller, DIY system cannot.
3. Implement Access Control
Access control is a broad term that encompasses several different ways in which a company can control who can and can not access its location. The most common types of access control would be:
- installing a keypad with a coded number sequence,
- assigning key fobs or access cards to employees,
- using biometric devices
- or creating a barcode that can be used through a mobile app or Bluetooth.
Each has its own benefits, but some are more convenient than others. You can also use a combination of any of them. For example, you can give key fobs to employees to allow them an entrance into a building and also have keypads on interior doors that require a pin code to enter.
The most basic and popular form of access control is the access card. It’s a very simple setup with readers installed on the doors. Cards can be assigned and deactivated at will via a computer program, and they can be used on interior and exterior doors.
Mobile apps are a bit more sophisticated and are also readily used because everyone has a smartphone. The system is cloud-based and allows the operator to easily control who has access to any room. It works best for larger companies with many employees at different levels of security clearance.
Whatever way you chose to protect your business, keep in mind that staying informed is the first line of defense. Consider the specific risks associated with your industry. If you’re planning to update your security system, evaluate how your current system is performing. What are the holes, and what do you need to fix them? Be very careful about what you share, both internally and externally, and put together a plan that includes regular reviews and quarterly maintenance.
