Business security costs are rising. Year after year it gets more and more expensive to protect your business from intrusion, whether you’re worried about the digital world or the real one.
And when you’re at risk of being fined millions for a data breach, you absolutely do not want to let anything slip through the gaps! But when these gaps are far too costly to close off and make safe, it’s hard to do anything productive about a potential security issue.
However, you can keep your business and your customers safe without breaking the bank. Business security can be made all the more affordable, even for micro businesses with very little assets to begin with.
You just have to identify the risks, the potential exploits, and the preventative measures you can put in place. And we know that sounds like a lot of work, so here’s a quick guide to get you started.
Set Up CCTV System
CCTV is the best security step for small businesses, period. And trust us when we say they’re incredibly affordable in the modern day and age – really!
While the low-end cost of about $5000 for a full system might make your eyes pop, it’s not that much of an undertaking in the grand scheme of your budget.
If you only place cameras in important points, such as watching the front entrance to your store or office, and then one around the back focusing on private storage or a work yard, you can keep the overall cost low without missing out.
After all, with cameras covering the critical, must-watch zones, you can put other security processes in place to keep an eye on blind spots as well.
And once again, don’t let the upfront cost of setting up CCTV put you off. Remember, as a small business safeguarding against theft, loss, and trespassing, paying out for a CCTV system will save you a lot more than being without one in place at all.
Track Your Company Equipment
If you have employees, you probably provide work equipment for them. A computer to use at work. A tablet to use on the go, if they work both in and outside of the office. Maybe even a company car, if they have to travel on a regular basis.
All in all, you want your employees to perform at their best so you’ve invested in company equipment to help! But now that you have, you need to keep an eye on this investment.
For one, you’ll want to make sure the equipment is being used for its intended purpose. And for another, you need to know where your devices and vehicles are when you can’t see them.
You trust your staff to take care of work equipment, but it’s always good to have some kind of light monitoring in place as well. At the very least, require employees to sign company equipment out when they need to use it, and then back in when they’ve returned it.
Stay Up to Date on Training
Security training is essential for everyone in the workplace. Staying up to date on the best practices for avoiding hacks, scams, and phishing attempts keeps the whole organization much more secure.
After all, every link in your chain knows what to do when a potential security breach comes up. And not only do you want employees to know what to do when they spot something a bit suspicious, but you also want them to be able to report ‘successful’ breach attempts as well.
When you provide training on how to lock down the system, what details to report, and how to communicate the breach to the rest of the team, you make it easy to move quickly when your data could be at risk.
Store Your Data Offsite
Using an offsite data center is often the best choice for a small business. Not only is onsite hosting more expensive (in terms of the infrastructure you have to set up to begin with), but there’s no guarantee you’ll have the cybersecurity you need either.
But when you work with a data center, your chances of keeping critical details encrypted, secure, and in the right place are much higher.
Plus, it’ll be easy and simple to access the data when you need it, as these systems will have been ready-made for on-demand access. In-house storage can sometimes take its sweet time loading up, especially as you load more and more data into it.
And that’s not the only money saving benefit to think about here. Storing data offsite could also make your energy bills cheaper too.
If you’re not powering a network system, with all the necessary servers and cloud storage attached, you don’t have to fork out money to keep everything turned on.
This kind of infrastructure has to be powered and on at all times too, so if you’re doing it yourself, you won’t ever get a break from the electricity black hole!
Understand Who Has Access to Your Business
Finally, it’s time to check on where your keys are! Who has access to your business? You do, of course. But what members of staff also have the authority to use your keys or door codes?
Even if they don’t have the authority, is there anyone else who may have access to either of these things? Security is one-part having a lock and one-part knowing who can unlock it!
Keep Your Business Security Affordable
Business security doesn’t have to blow a hole in your wallet. You can take plenty of efficient and affordable steps to keep your premises safe and your online presence secure.
From a CCTV system watching strategic points to storing your data somewhere safe and guarded, there’s plenty to be done about small business security worries.
Make sure you weigh up the needs of your company and your customers, think about your future goals as a business owner, and set some groundwork for your long-term security too.
Photo by Field Engineer
