Business in the 21st century has become rather tricky to secure. There are threats from every direction. You face the turmoil of dishonest employees, break ins, and now cyber attacks. Each type of threat can leave you trying to make up for losses.
Depending on the attack, sometimes those losses can be major. Just ask Target. However, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you aren’t left holding an empty bag. Below are some that may serve as a reminder and one you might not have considered, yet.
Watch Who You Hire
In the world of business, we know three things. The endgame is to grow our bottom line, any expense threatens the endgame, and you need qualified employees to get it done. With that said, these days, it’s not necessarily the qualified employees that are your go-to guys and girls.
Sometimes, the quality you should be looking for first is honesty. Understandably, it is difficult to judge a person’s honesty based on one or two encounters, but you can run a background check and you should. Yes, they cost you money, but would you rather pay $45 for a background check now, or quite possibly a lot more later when they rip you off?
It’s sad that the world has become so untrustworthy, but business is business. You must protect your assets if you wish to see them grow. Search out new employees well and keep a trained eye on those already serving your company.
Keep Your Security System Updated
If your business is like most, you already have a high grade security system in place. There are cameras in high and low traffic areas, employee breaks rooms, surrounding the stockroom, and outside, as well. If you’re really protective, you have also invested in motion sensors and/or temperature related security.
How long has it been since you updated it? Thieves are usually very intelligent and extremely resilient. If you refuse to spend the extra dollar to update your security tech at least once a year, you run an immensely high risk of sustaining a break in. A thief can get away with quite a bit of merchandise in the minutes it takes the cops to arrive.
SOC Audits
The one form of protection you may not have given enough thought to is the SOC Audit. SOC stands for service organization controls. Let’s face it. There are very few businesses that survive on their own. The majority employ the services of other companies to help keep theirs afloat.
Whether that be a separate payroll company, the company who cleans your welcome mats, or the vendors who replace the drinks and snacks in your vending machines, it’s a smart idea to make sure they stay on the up and up, as well.
An SOC Audit will do that by making sure that their business is as secure as yours. Hackers will have a next to impossible time getting through this multi-layer defense.
The next time you think your business is free from security threats, use these tips to check one more time. It could save you millions.
Originally posted on November 6, 2017 @ 8:18 am