Will your business be secure over the summer?

It’s the beginning of May, Easter has been and gone and schools are into the summer term…. Therefore, despite the predicted cold spell, we are fast approaching the summer.  And I for one am very pleased the days are getting longer and I don’t have to get up when it’s still dark outside.

Locking up
It is easy though to let your security slide a bit during the summer months.  This is the UK and we still tend to open windows and doors rather than switching on the air conditioning, (if you’re even lucky enough to have it!) and opening up a business premises can encourage opportunistic thieves.  It you’re on the ground floor don’t leave valuables on desks by an open window or door and keep confidential documents locked away.

Alarm response
When you finish work for the day it can be easy to forget to close a window, which if you’re lucky might lead to a bird setting the alarm off and if you’re unlucky a burglary.  Making sure you have procedures in place for alarm response should definitely be on your ‘to do’ list.  It might seem like an easy option for a member of staff to be a key-holder, but think through the potential problems this could lead to… 
•    will they be available?
•    how long will it take them to get there?
•    what will they find when they arrive?
•    could it be a dangerous situation?

A much safer and more sensible option is a professional alarm response company that you can rely on to attend and provide fully trained staff who are ready to deal with any situation.

Training
Over the summer staff are likely to be taking holidays, this might mean you need temporary or seasonal staff to cover.  Have they all been fully inducted and trained, not just on your business processes but security and health & safety procedures as well.  Do they know what to do in case of a fire or even just an alarm practice, and have you still got first aiders on site?

Cyber Security
It is easy to forget that it isn’t just the physical security you need to keep on top of.  When did you last upgrade your computer systems?  Don’t get caught out.  Make sure staff update their passwords regularly, files are backed-up, old emails deleted and software (especially anti-virus) is up to date.

Review Risk Assessments
It’s always worth reviewing your risk assessments on a regular basis, and better to take a little time to check your security is effective than a lot more time and money to fix things after something has gone wrong.  

If you’d like to see how Leisuresec can help with your security, please get in touch.