Every day there’s some sort of threat to a business whether that’s online or within the company office. So it’s important to take extra precautions in all aspects of your organization to make sure you reduce the risk of danger. Here are a few ways to keep your business safe.

Be Clever With Passwords

It’s no surprise that because many of us use lots of different websites and software in our day to day lives, we’ll often opt to use the same password for everything we use. However, that’s not great because if someone finds out your password, then it puts every other site that you use at risk and if they’ve been hacking into your computer, they’ll like know what sites your using the most.

Be clever with your passwords and try to come up with a new one each time. Avoid using anything related to the business like an address or a company name. There are also things like two-step authentication now in place for a lot of applications and websites which will send a verification email or a message/code to your phone. It’s great to have this as an added backup to protect your personal details in case someone tries to log in.

Install CCTV In Office

Regardless of where your office is based, whether it’s in the middle of a city or out in the middle of nowhere, it’s useful to keep an eye on your property when your not physically there. Some businesses still don’t have CCTV installed in their building, which can be dangerous especially if you have a lot of valuable items and equipment like computers and printers.

Therefore it’s definitely worth installing CCTV if you have the budget, even if it’s just one or two cameras focused on the front door and back door of the property. Some CCTV cameras will even come with an app that allows you to check on it while you’re away from it, which can be useful if you own a small business where office hours aren’t always the traditional 9-5.

Teach Staff To Be Safe

Your staff has a big influence on your business because they are likely to be accessing documents and answering emails on a daily basis. One risk is with emails and the potential for ‘phishing’. This is when hackers will try and catch out staff members by sending fake emails that look as if they may be from other staff or from various organizations and email addresses they receive general emails from.

It will often have an attachment or link, and this is how a virus or scam can occur. A lot of people can fall for it, even those that are very attentive to suspicious emails. So it’s good to offer some proper training for your employees to educate them on what to look for from a typical ‘phishing’ email.

Another risk will be from what personal websites that staff goes on both in their spare time and during work time. The wrong site could end up infecting the computer with a virus so there are software and security available that can restrict certain sites from being accessed at all depending on the site’s content and whether it’s secure to go on.

This might annoy employees, but it’s important for them to know that it’s needed for the safety of the company. You can also get vpn free which allows your staff to send and communicate data securely, so this is something you might want to get.

Lock Away Confidential Files

You should be password protecting and locking your files away digitally, and the same should be said for any physical files in the office. It’s very easily done where important information is left on desks and if the security isn’t high in your office eg. no one manning a front desk, anyone could come into the office and take away these files.

So, have a system in place that lets staff store away files in a lockable drawer or storage room, and it’s either activated with a code or a key kept with a key holder that’s normally a manager.

Anti-Cyber Attack Software

This relates to the security and usage of your staff on the internet and over email, but it’s important to install the very best in anti-cyber attack software and to regularly check that it’s the best for the company. There are plenty of them out there available, but they are all different in terms of what you may be after or based on the size of your organization.

Get this software installed on all computers and also on any work laptops, tablets and mobile phones. You might also want to consider protecting your WIFI from any guests who use it to make sure you’re not vulnerable over your guest internet.

If you fear that your WIFI may be vulnerable, then it might be time for an upgrade to a cloud-based WIFI such as Meraki MR36 AP, for instance, as this has top notch security and effortless management which can make everything a lot easier for you and your team.

Don’t Keep Valuables On Display

If you leave something on display that’s valuable in your car, then a passerby by spot it as an opportunity to break in and take it. The same goes for when you lock up your business for the day. It’s not so bad if your business is on an upper floor away from prying eyes, but if it’s on ground-level, then you may want to consider investing in some blinds or shutters that add a layer of protection for the business.

When you have valuables like computers and other electrical equipment on display, you risk theft occurring so do your best to cover up the valuables. Shutters are great and can easily be installed on the front of your building to give it that extra security from anyone breaking your door or windows.

Keeping your business is important to yourself, your staff’s personal data and for the company. A cyber attack or hacker could cripple a company and the same can be said if someone steals confidential information or breaks into your office. Protect your business both online and in person as best as you can so that you reduce the risks.

Implement these tips today and don’t avoid taking these measures to protect the company.