Keeping Your Workplace Safe and Secure

Workplace security is one of those things that business owners often overlook; if the building is locked, they consider it to be safe.

Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case – whether you’ve experienced a break-in or are just looking to prevent one, a straightforward lock and key simply doesn’t cut it. Taking additional steps to make sure your workplace is properly secure will significantly reduce the chances of a security breach and keep your information, property, and most importantly your employees, safe.

There are five steps to true perimeter security, sometimes known as the ‘Five Ds’ – deter, detect, deny, delay and defend. Here’s how you can make your workplace secure using these principles.

Identify gaps

If you have experienced a break-in, how did it come about? How were they able to gain access? You can use this information to inform your strategy moving forward and prevent a repeat incident. Even if you’ve never had a security breach, that doesn’t mean gaps in your strategy do not exist. Think like a thief – try and breach your own defences. This will help you to identify and correct chinks in your armor before a real thief figures them out.

Know your risk

Think about what type of crime your business is most vulnerable to. If you’re a financial institution, you will have different risks than a healthcare facility; if you’re a data services organization, you will have different risks than a school. Do your research on the types of crime you are most likely to experience and when you’re most likely to experience it and tailor your security strategy accordingly.

Maximize the budget

You should always get the best security system your company can afford, and the one best tailored for your business needs. Use your money in the right places, rather than blowing the budget on a one-size-fits-all solution that might not work for you.

The Five Ds

The ‘five Ds’ represent five layers of security measures.

‘Deter’ – deterrents are the first line of defense against theft as they discourage thieves from even making the attempt. Most break-ins are opportunistic, so anything that looks like it might make things difficult, such as an alarm box, gate or CCTV camera, works as a great deterrent.

‘Detect’ – measures that let you know if a thief is attempting to break in, such as CCTV, vehicle detectors and motion lights. You should also try and set up cameras so that even people who are trying to hide might be identified – don’t just look down at the top of their head.

‘Deny’ – deny access. Keep as many doors as possible locked with smart cards or key fobs that only staff and employees have access to. These locks are much more difficult to break than standard lock and key setups. Make sure you take back any smart cards when employees leave, too, and change codes regularly.

‘Delay’ – make it harder for thieves to take property; secure monitors to desks, lock cabinets, secure interior doors with codes.

‘Defend’ – hire a security guard that can monitor the building and respond in the event of a breach. Make sure you have the right number of guards for the size of your building.