Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Security at your business is paramount, no matter how small it might be. While cybersecurity is more important than ever, businesses should not forget about physical security measures that are advisable to take as well. Both need to be taken into account, even for small businesses. Here are some of the ways you can work to improve security at your small business.
In This Post:
Install Monitored Security Cameras
Installing security cameras is a very simple way to help protect your business. Aside from being the best option to record any security breaches, they will also serve as a deterrent. You can place signs saying the area is monitored by cameras and that video analytics are being used. This will make them more effective as a deterrent. It is also perfectly legal to put up cameras without placing signs to more effectively catch shoplifters or trespassers. If you are concerned about the legality of installing cameras in your locality, contact an attorney or political official to confirm your plans are legal.
Have a Clear Policy about Locking Doors
Simply ensuring all doors are locked and that no entrance is granted to unauthorized persons will go a long way towards ensuring your business remains secure. It is important to emphasize to your employees that the last person out must lock the doors every night. Another option is to designate a specific manager who is responsible for ensuring the doors are locked every night. For some businesses, however, where employees tend to work late periodically, this may not be a practical option. If clients come into your office regularly, put signs on doors designating secure areas and use privacy screens on computers to guard sensitive data from being seen.
Properly Register Your Intellectual Property
All the security systems and data protection in the world won’t help you if your business fails to protect its intellectual property. There are different types of intellectual property, so it is important to consult an intellectual property attorney for help with what should be registered and to ensure the proper steps are taken to register it. It is particularly important to register patents and trademarks. For example, your logo would be protected under trademark law while a specific product invention would be protected under a patent. If you fail to register and someone else patents your design, you could owe the other company fees to use it or be unable to use it at all.
Have Solid NDAs and Non-Compete Clauses
These are some of the strongest weapons at your disposal for safeguarding your intellectual property rights, particularly when it comes to trade secrets. An NDA legally prevents employees from disclosing important information about your business, its processes and its plans for the future. A non-compete clause will help prevent employees moonlighting in positions that might be a conflict of interest or directly compete against your company. An attorney can help you draft these agreements so they will be most effective and provide you the most protection and ability to seek recourse.
Utilize Secure Cloud Technology
More and more businesses are utilizing cloud technology. It makes business operations simpler, cheaper and highly mobile. However, storing data in the cloud presents unique security concerns. The major platforms offer paid plans that are suitably secure. Some are even HIPPA-compliant. Free options are generally not considered secure enough for sensitive business data. Always carefully check and understand the security features of any cloud software your business implements to ensure it will keep your data safe.
Securing your business is not too terribly difficult and it could pay off significantly in the future. Take security measures into your own hands to protect your property and your customers’ valued information. This will help ensure your business’s success now and into the future.
