Security Checklist for Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you are forced to juggle many tasks, from meeting payroll to finding your next great hire. Because of this, certain important tasks may fall to the bottom of your to-do list.

One of those overlooked tasks may be security. While it may not be a direct revenue-generating task, security is essential. It’s important to ensure your business is protected from criminals, dishonest employees, and, when possible, even human error.

That said, it’s one thing to say that security is important. It is quite another thing to enact procedures and protocols to protect all aspects of your small business.

So how do you go about securing your business?

 

Security: Some Basics

To start, there are several important things that you should know about protecting your small business.

First, secure both your physical and digital possessions. With the world moving from physical to digital assets, you must be proactive in enacting adequate network security measures. If technology isn’t your thing, you should hire a digital security expert to ensure that you are properly protected.

Also, recognize that security isn’t just up to you. Your employees must also take security seriously. Whether it is encouraging employees to speak up if they see anything suspicious, implementing detailed procedures for employees who handle cash, having two people sign off on checks, or all of the above, your employees are a critical component of maintaining workplace security.

To ease some of the work, it is also useful to consider purchasing security tools. This can range from a safe to store some of your most sensitive documents to a full-blown security system to remotely monitor what is happening on property.

 

Security Checklists: The Audit

One of the best ways to ensure that your business is secure is to create a security checklist. The checklist doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—it can simply be a document that you create in Microsoft Word. The value of this exercise is twofold. Not only will you have a checklist that you and your employees can continuously reference, but creating the checklist itself will force you to think of your current security vulnerabilities and how to correct them.  

To begin creating your checklist, it is helpful to audit your business by traveling from the generic to the specific. Begin at an overarching level. For example, do you have a storefront or is your small business purely digital? If you have a brick and mortar business, do you have more than one location? Do you have any employees? From there, you can get more specific, asking yourself questions like which employees prepare or oversee payroll, whether employees secure valuables when they leave their desks, or whether your organization trains employees to avoid phishing scams.  

 

Security Checklists: Preventative Action

Once you have audited your business, you can take steps to patch up some of your security holes. While your security needs will vary depending on your business, below are some common steps that you can take to better secure your business.

Even if your small business has a simple website, you will want to prioritize cybersecurity. Whether it is monitoring the activities of your employees or preventing your entire network from being compromised, you will absolutely want to protect your digital assets from bad actors.  

If you have a storefront, don’t underestimate the power of lighting. Good, comprehensive lightning can eliminate hiding spots. Motion-activated light near the entrance to your business may also deter potential criminals from breaking and entering at night.

Also, consider purchasing security cameras for your storefront. As the owner or manager, you can’t monitor everything that is going on at your business at all times. Security cameras essentially create another set of eyes and can deter thieves—whether your business is open or closed. And if you believe that something has been stolen at your business, you can review the security camera footage to see if you can identify the thief.   

Alarms can also be a cost-effective way to protect your small business. While they are self-explanatory, alarms are great tools to notify you, bystanders, and authorities when a crime is occurring. Alarm systems today have a variety of features, so you will want to do your own research to determine the best alarm for you.  

Finally, you should consider using electronic locks to further secure certain doors in your business. Compared to traditional locks, electronic locks can prevent certain employees from entering a particular door and can notify you if certain employees enter a room. They are a great solution if you want to limit access to some of the most sensitive areas of your business.

 

Secure Your Business Today

While security is a top priority for your business, it is easy to neglect. Other tasks seem more pressing and you are likely stretched enough as is.

However, security is often a top priority after some crime has occurred. Those that don’t act swiftly to patch up security flaws end up regretting their decision.

Luckily, you can avoid those feelings of regret by taking action today. We would be happy to help you secure your business. To discover how we can help, please contact our team of experts so we can assist you with your business security.