Protecting Your Assets Before a Crisis Happens: Five Key Areas You Should Focus On
Good business practice means protecting your assets before crisis happens. In today’s digital world, that includes means both physical and electronic assets. Critical network systems especially need protection from theft and other hazards. You also need to consider how your physical assets will be utilized and what types of defense you’ll need. It pays to be prepared, especially when your competition isn’t. Consider these five topics on which your company should focus: communication, information storage, infrastructure, disaster preparedness and safety protocols.
Communication- internal and external
When you consider building security and your employees’ safety, communication is vitally important. Whether or not you utilize all the features of a robust security system, you need to make sure the cabling is up to the job. Copper cabling is durable and cost effective. Fiber optic lines have better connectivity with quicker response times within the network. Compare Fiber optic with copper for your project.
Networked Security cameras also provides an added layer of support and flexibility. In many setups, you can actually reposition the camera to different location without disrupting the network, making your security portable. Fiber cabling has at least one advantage over copper cabling in that the power loss is easily detectable when tampered with.
Information storage-Securing Business and Personal Data
An equally important area that your business should be focusing on is information storage. Having the right physical infrastructure could mean the difference between losing business and gaining valuable customers. You need to analyze both the physical aspects and the electronic aspects of your business to ensure your business remains successful and profitable.
A good security camera that monitors your secure area is a good investment, but you should also consider a comprehensive security system that utilizes a combination of alarms, locks and CCTV to deter would-be criminals in your building. You should have at the very least a good idea of how your data is being stored both physically and electronically.
Infrastructure- holding everything together
Smart business owners realize that without a strong infrastructure their business will not be as competitive as others. Your infrastructure includes cabling for your network as well as the actual doors and windows of your facility. Review areas that need extra security and who has access to the area. Also, take a look at termination policies and how your data network could be impacted by a departing ex-employee. These factors will help you decide how thorough your security system needs to be.
Training your security camera to track secure areas is only the first step in a complete building security system. Get an honest evaluation of your current vulnerabilities and strengths in both data and physical plant domains.
A dilemma many planners face is the choice of fiber optic or traditional copper cabling to support your security systems. Fiber, being more expensive up front is definitely more future-proof than copper cabling. It also requires a few more equipment upgrades to make it work with older equipment. in many ways it’s more secure than copper, though. On the other hand, Copper cabling works really well for now and bandwidth is increasing. Although it’s likely to reach its physical limits in the not-too-distant future, copper is still being persuaded to carry ever higher speeds and traffic.
Disaster Preparedness-When it matters most
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Understanding your building’s emergency response system and making sure it works is probably one of the most important components of a your building security plan. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), it helps to create a preparedness program for your business, identify critical business systems, create an emergency communications plan, test your business systems, and build a disaster preparedness kit. There are also training units from the SBA and the Red Cross you can use.
Safety Protocols-Employee Safety First
Decisions need to be made about employee safety as soon as possible. Building security should include safety protocols that are predetermined, practiced and part of your culture. What’s your most likely disaster or emergency? tornado? snow? a person with a gun? fire? earthquake? Make your protocols simple and flexible, and practice them occasionally. Here again, communication is of utmost importance. Even though your backup electricity generators may work perfectly, what would you do if your cell service and or internet access were cut?
A comprehensive security plan goes way beyond a few security cameras. Make your employees’ safety an area of study, if for no other reason than feeling secure brings higher morale to your team. Talk to NetQ Media about your networking needs and we probably have a solution!
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