Protect Your Startup With These Essential Security Tips

Being your own boss can definitely be fun, but that doesn’t make it the perfect job. Most new entrepreneurs assume they will have more free time to play with, but between accounting, marketing, hiring, firing, and so much more, you’ll be lucky if you get any time to relax during the day.

Running a business is an undertaking that needs you to pay attention to several different factors. Among them, and one of the most critical to the survival of your venture is security.

With that in mind, here are seven essential security tips you must follow to protect your business. 

Lock It Up

Business premises usually house cash, inventory, equipment, and more. Whether you operate out of a shop, an office, or your own home, they are much more than just four walls. With so many valuable items inside, the last thing you want is for a stranger to gain access to your building. The easiest way to prevent this is to check that every door and window is locked tight. Only leave an entrance open if it is monitored and make sure that only those you trust have keys. 

Use A Virtual Address

Business premises usually house cash, inventory, equipment, and more. Whether you operate out of a shop, an office, or your own home, they are much more than just four walls. With so many valuable items inside, the last thing you want is for a stranger to gain access to your building. The easiest way to prevent this is to check that every door and window is locked tight. Only leave an entrance open if it is monitored and make sure that only those you trust have keys. 

Many businesses operate from home, especially in the first few years. This is an effective way to reduce operating costs and save time. The trouble is, you have to give your customers an address to contact you. Rather than provide a home address and put your property at risk, you should try using a virtual office address service. This allows you to give a real address without using yours. Picking an attractive area, like London, can enhance your business image too. 

Use The Right Deterrents

A locked door may keep criminals out of your building most of the time, but, if a crook is determined to gain access, it definitely won’t stop them. This is why you need to put other deterrents in place. Security cameras, burglar alarms, and security guards will all make criminals think twice before crossing you. None of them wants to be caught, after all. Remember to warn criminals of the presence of these deterrents by putting signs up indoors and outside.

Educate The Entire Team

Crooks can strike at any time and on any day. To minimize the threat to your business, you must make sure that your team understand how to handle such an emergency.

When a new employee joins your company, you should have them undergo security training. This training might involve quizzes, videos, or a class. Because the tactics that criminals use change over the years, you will need to repeat this training regularly, updating sections when they need to be.

Always Check Employees’ References

Bringing someone new into your business will never not be a big deal. As much as a new employee could help your company, they have the power to cause harm too. It’s for this reason that you must ensure you only hire the best of the best. The hiring process is long and exhausting, so it’s no wonder that most hiring managers want to get it done as soon as possible. Before you offer a candidate a job, however, you must take the time to check their references.

Write A Visitor’s Policy

Many different people could visit your business in a single day. Just like new employees, those individuals, whether they are vendors, contractors, clients, or loved ones, can all put your business at risk. Even if they won’t steal from your company, someone that will could sneak in alongside them. To make it clear who is allowed in the building and who shouldn’t be there, you should have guests sign a visitor’s book when they arrive, and put on a visitors badge.

Securing your startup must always be a priority. After all, if a crook were to attack your company, it could cause a lot of huge problems. With the advice above, you should be able to stop those criminals in their tracks.

This is a contributed post.