Every business owner knows that they have a duty to protect their company as much as possible, but it’s easy to overlook areas without realising just how much damage they could cause. Security priorities evolve over time, as your business grows or moves in a different direction, so reassessing your priorities regularly is a good way of plugging any gaps that could be potentially harmful to your business.
Here are a few security gaps your business is overlooking and how to resolve them.
Weak Passwords
Computer hackers are more sophisticated than ever, and businesses leave themselves vulnerable to attack when they use weak passwords – it only makes it easier for hackers to gain access to sensitive data and networks. Companies need to instil the importance of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication in their employees to keep computer networks safe.
Education that informs staff the reason behind strong passwords can help to reinforce the message and ensures that across the business, networks and databases are as secure as possible.
Vulnerable Points of Access
If you have a physical building to protect, there may be access points you haven’t considered. Checking windows and doors are secure is the first step towards business security, but there might be other areas of your premises that a burglar will know to check that you might be overlooking.
For example, you might not have steel bolts on the doors or shutters for the windows that will show onlookers that your company takes security seriously. Investing in a professional security company to monitor the premises and highlight vulnerable points will keep your property secure.
No Policies for Own Devices
More businesses are allowing employees to bring their own devices to work, but while it may save your company money, it also creates a list of potential problems.
Do your employees know how to keep their devices secure when they’re accessing company data? Is there a policy to protect business data if an employee leaves the company? Does the data belong to the business even if the device belongs to the employee? These are all questions that should be in a policy to protect both staff and employers. It’s an increasing problem with hybrid working on the rise, so it’s an issue that businesses need to combat quickly to prevent any security threats from costing the business in more ways than one.
Neglecting to Use CCTV Cameras
A surprising number of businesses don’t use CCTV cameras to protect their premises, but in doing so, they could be missing a vital component of their security strategy. CCTV cameras have come a long way and now have the option to view footage remotely, which can be incredibly useful in protecting a business from unauthorised access and vandals.
With the ability to view footage at any time, from any location, it’s much easier to seek assistance from the police or fire department if needed.
Disgruntled Employees
Disgruntled employees might not be a priority when creating your security plan, but they could deliberately sabotage your business if you’re not careful. They have access to databases and files, as well as physical access to your premises, and if they utilise this access in a harmful way, it could wind up costing your business huge amounts of time and money.
Make sure that when employees leave the business, there are rules in place to avoid them regaining access to the property and any digital access they may have.
Not Maintaining Updates
Outdated practices and software that hasn’t been updated for months is a security threat that so many businesses are putting themselves at risk of. Software evolves to consider new threats all the time, so by keeping the software you use up to date, you’re staying ahead of the threats as much as possible.
It’s a simple step that businesses can add into their schedule quickly that offers huge rewards for the business as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the size of your company, paying close attention to security measures is essential to prevent costly mistakes or data breaches from occurring. You may need to invest in cybersecurity protection, physical security guarding or smart CCTV technology to ensure your company is safe, but they’re all investments that are incredibly worthwhile in the long-term.
