Safeguarding staff and assets: Five common mistakes

1  Not identifying your security needs

By far the biggest mistake businesses make is not clearly defining what the risks, either potential or actual, are for all of the stakeholders that have touch points with your business that you need to guard against. No two businesses are the same and it is therefore impossible to use a 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

To avoid this risk, tap in to the expertise on offer from an SIA accredited security service provider that is approved to supply manned guarding services. The SIA provides helpful advice of what you need to know about sourcing a security services partner.

2  Not securing or controlling access points

Many businesses have more than one entrance or exit.  Each of these poses a security risk. To limit the risk, ensure that all access points are secured, controlled and fitted with effective security systems. The fewer active access points you have, the more secure your business will be.

3  Not securing important areas

Neglecting to protect business data and other confidential information often held in important areas of the business, such as computer server rooms and places with critical documents, is another mistake that businesses sometimes make.

To avoid this common mistake, consider securing sensitive areas by installing biometrics access systems together with security video systems as a deterrent to theft.

4  Not enforcing ID requirements

Failing to enforce ID requirements is another business security mistake. This can also pose a risk where non-authorised persons can have access to important areas in the business and can lead to thefts in the business.

To avoid this mistake, ensure you enforce ID and badge requirements. Both these two items are effective when it comes to controlling access points.

As much as it may be tempting to let higher management and frequent visitors into the building without their badge or needing to sign in or follow the visitor policy, resist the temptation to do so since it undermines the integrity of the programme in place.

5  Not protecting personal information and company property

Since the introduction of GDPR the number of data breaches have significantly increased due to a variety of reasons.  One cause of this, according to reports, is that in some places a 'clear desk' policy is still not being followed. To support staff to follow a policy, a security patrol is able to both identify areas where re-education may be valuable along with placing information not adhering to the policy in a control room for collection later.

Another way to avoid the loss of property is to implement random personal searches. This ensures that any assets being taken away from the property are assigned to individuals against recorded asset numbers.