As a busy entrepreneur or manager, you no doubt spend many hours each week working on tasks that help to bring in more revenue and profits to your organization. However, it’s also important to be aware that you should think about how to save money too.
While there are many ways to go about this, one option that many people don’t consider often enough is via security measures. As surprising as it may be to you, businesses in the United States actually lose many billions of dollars each year due to things such as shoplifting and worker theft. This doesn’t include, either, the additional money lost because of cybercriminals who hack into company systems or networks.
As you can see, your venture may be losing a lot of money that could be retained if you put tighter security restrictions in place. If it is time for you to secure your business, read on for some handy tips you can follow today.
Install Security Software and Firewalls
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If your organization is like most businesses these days, much of your important data and customer information is stored and transmitted online. If so, it is necessary for you to take steps to protect all these details from cybercriminals — a group which is continually coming up with new ways to access data and crash systems.
One of the best things you can do is install security software and firewalls on your devices. There are plenty of top-notch, professional-grade products on the market which will help to stop hackers from gaining access to your systems via malicious viruses and other software. When purchasing these products, look for options which cover all bases and include anti-spam, anti-malware, antivirus, and ransomware protection.
Firewalls — the first line of defence against thieves breaking into computers remotely — are also essential for all businesses which take, and potentially store, customer information and other sensitive details via internet-based programs. You will likely find that your computers already have firewalls installed, but they may not be activated. Check this to be sure. You might also want to purchase a third-party product for a more comprehensive solution.
Don’t forget too that all the protective software you use on your gadgets needs to be regularly updated if it’s to stay as effective as possible. It is a good idea to set up your computers so that updates will be uploaded automatically, or at the very least so that you will receive a notification any time an update is released.
Put Physical Security Protocols in Place
Of course, it is also important for all entrepreneurs to secure their physical premises, not just their online documentation. To do this, make sure that your office, warehouse or other spaces are fitted with proper locks that are very difficult for thieves to break into.
Security cameras put out the front, back, and inside your premises will also help to keep things more secure, as will comprehensive alarm systems. Putting up signage that advertises the fact that you have such security devices installed will automatically act as an effective deterrent to many would-be thieves.
Other good options for protecting your workspaces include putting in comprehensive outdoor lighting (in particular the motion-activated kind) to make it more obvious if thieves are lurking about; and laying out storefronts and other spaces in a way that makes it easier to see when customers and other people are inside and moving about.
Avoid Employee Theft
While you might feel comfortable that all of your staff members are completely trustworthy, unfortunately statistics show that retailers, in particular, plus many other businesses, lose millions of dollars each year due to employee theft.
To reduce the risk of this happening within your organization, you must vet all of your new team members thoroughly before you hire them. As well, put a strict code of conduct in place, plus detailed processes and procedures that workers need to stick to, so that employees are held accountable and less likely to steal.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on employee behavior. Look for changes to people’s actions, temperament or schedules. If, for instance, staff members who have access to company finances or stock seem to keep working back late or starting earlier when no one else is around, this could be an issue if it is because they don’t want anyone to see what they’re doing.
Raj Kumar is a qualified business/finance writer expert in investment, debt, credit cards, Passive income, financial updates. He advises in his blog finance clap.
