With the majority of your budget going towards inventory, payroll and utilities, many small business owners struggle to find the capital to grow.  Often times the security of your company is the last aspect you have money set aside to address.  The importance of physical and online security cannot be understated as a breech to either can be significantly detrimental to the longevity of your business.  The security of your employees as well as your equipment and inventory can often take a backseat when it comes to budget but this can prove to be a big mistake.  Here we’ve outlined some security measures that should be taken to ensure the overall safety of your business.

Risk Assessment

The first step in developing the security of your business is to assess where your risks lie.  You will want to evaluate the security of your website, storefront and any offsite storage you may have.  Create a checklist of anything that can be perceived as a vulnerability and decipher what is the best solution to counteract it.  There are several resources you can use to get an idea of what to look for.  You’ll want to start by addressing the biggest risks you face and work your way towards those things that pose a minimal threat.

Surveillance

Security cameras are one of the best ways to deter thieves as well as identify perpetrators when a theft has occurred.  You should have a mix of visible cameras to prevent theft as well as covert ones that will identify possible threats within your organization.  In the past many companies have utilized video that records over itself each day.  With the advent of cloud storage it is now possible to keep a running log of all of your recordings without taking up additional space on your shelves or computer.  This will ensure you can go back to any point in time and observe when a theft may have taken place.

Locks

While this is one of the most obvious security measures there have been advancements with electronic systems.  These allow employees to access buildings and areas during designated times while keeping out unwelcomed guests.  It also allows you to track who enters each area and when which aides in narrowing down possible culprits that may not have been captured on video surveillance.  If you own a storefront you may also want to consider metal gates that can be drawn down in order to protect windows and easily accessed merchandise.

Training

Making sure your employees are trained and well prepared for the worst is extremely important as it could prevent dangerous situations from escalating.  Having regular security updates and training during company meetings is a great way to spread awareness.  You will want to educate your employees on what to do in the event of a security breach whether it be physical or online.  Best practices such as not opening email from unknown senders and locking computers when leaving a workstation are good habits to preach.

Safes

If you’re in an industry that requires you to keep cash on hand you’ll want to invest in a safe that is not easily accessed or moved.  You will also want to include measures where regular deposits are made with any excess cash you have on hand.  This will make your business less vulnerable and attractive to thieves.  It also prevents a massive loss if the worst does happen.

Investing In Security

While it may not be at the top of your list when it comes to your budget, security is extremely important to the safety and longevity of your business.  It’s an important investment to make and certainly well worth the expense.  If you’re looking to take steps to secure the future of your company consider a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions. A merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions is a business loan alternative that can help your business thrive and prosper whether you need cash to buy equipment, to renovate or expand, to purchase inventory, to advertise, or for emergencies the process is easy and you can be approved typically within 48 hours.