Whatever your business, your security budget is important. It can make the difference between a thriving business and one that fails due to theft or criminal damage. According to the U.S Chamber of commerce, 30% of businesses fail due to employee theft alone so it is vital to include security in your budget from day 1. These are the things all good security budgets will include.
- Physical Security
- Cyber Security
What’s included in a Physical Business Security Budget?
Physical security covers theft, employee theft, break-ins, and criminal damage. But it also includes employee safety, onsite accidents, and insurance.
To cover these things in your business security budget you are going to want to consider the following.
CCTV.
Having surveillance and monitoring devices acts as a deterrent for many types of crime. It also helps to catch and convict anyone who engages in criminal activity within your business.
Lighting.
While it may not seem important at first glance, having areas well lit can prevent crime in those areas. However, this does also mean an increase in electrical bills. You may also need to consider having more lights installed. This would all be considered in your security budget.
Fire Alarms, hydrants, and servicing.
Your business is not only threatened by outside forces, but also the forces of nature. One good fire can destroy everything you have built, so take care to include fire precautions. This may include a sprinkler system, or it may simply be the servicing of your fire alarms.
Access Control Systems.
Access cards, smart systems, keys. These all help you to control who comes and goes within your business. This can help with any employee theft issues, and it will keep people out. Access control systems have a big plus on regular keys as it is not going to be a big deal if someone loses a key card. Simply lock it out of the system and your building is safe again.
Durable locks.
Providing your business with a high security lock can deter burglars from attempting entry. It also keeps the evidence of a forced lock inside the lock. Some Smart locks can alert the police to someone forcing entry, others can take a video of the break in.
If you are concerned about burglaries around your business, a good lock can go a long way to protecting your business.
Shutters for windows.
Don’t forget your windows. Someone trying to break into a building will gain entry through the path of least resistance. This is most often the window. By installing window shutters, or having good locks and alarms installed on your windows, you can improve your security.
Security guards.
Whether you are a shop, bank, or office building, the addition of a security guard can help keep your business safe. However, this is not a cheap option. If you are looking at security guards for your business, consider the types.
You can have a dedicated guard that will watch your property all night, or you can hire a firm that checks on your business regularly. You can also arrange for your CCTV to be watched by a security firm, along with many other companies, so any criminal activity can be instantly reported and dealt with.
Staff training.
Training your staff on how to respond in a security situation can improve your business security. If your business is a store, do your staff members know how to react to shoplifters? If your business has a warehouse, will your staff members stop and question someone not wearing a uniform?
Make space in your budget for providing your staff with the appropriate training for your business.
Signage.
Prevention is better than cure. A sign warning people that they are being watched on CCTV, or a sign letting the world know that the building is alarmed, can deter people from following through with criminal intent. Signs do not cost a lot, and they can save you a lot in the long run.
Once you have dealt with the physical needs of the business you will want to look at the cyber side of things.
What’s Included in the Cybersecurity portion of the Business Security Budget?
No matter what kind of business you are in, chances are you use technology to some level. This could be a smart locking system, a computer, Wi-Fi, or even a credit card machine. These things can all be hacked so you will want to ensure you have a portion of your business security budget allocated to cyber security. Do not be fooled into thinking you won’t be targeted by Cybercrime due to being a small business.
This means that you will need to look at:
- Ransomware protection.
- Antivirus protection for your machines.
- Where to back up your data.
- Cyber Security Firms.
- Cloud security.
Cyber security does not need to be complicated. You will find many businesses out there that offer packages, protection, and insurance against cybercrime. So, if you are unsure of what your business needs, a cyber security company can help you find a simple and effective way of protecting the cyber side of your business.
We Can Help with Your Business Security Budget
For more advice on keeping your business safe, contact The Security and Lock Corporation Miami on (305) 846-9360 to speak to one of our expert advisors.
