Security Tips for the End of Summer
From In Office, To Work From Home, A Few Tips To Keep You And Your Employees Safe
The summer is officially over. With 4th and 1st quarter decisions rapidly approaching for business owners, keeping track of your security needs as you sort everything else out for your organization can feel overwhelming.
For example, many business owners are trying to decide whether to keep employees in person or send them to work from home. And there are security concerns and choices to be considered, no matter which you pick.
Another common scenario we see play out, is that business owners want to upgrade their security, especially as fall is coming on. But they just aren’t sure how to roll out a plan like that, what needs to be changed or upgraded, and what can stay the same.
These two situations and many others highlight the complexity involved with current security trends in 2021. Growth, change, and external factors can be difficult to navigate from a security standpoint, especially if there isn’t a game plan already in place or you sense it might be time for a new one.
So we at SAGE wanted to create a shortlist of things you can do to end the summer well, and get ready for the fall. We will be sharing a companion to this piece in October on workplace safety, but for now, let’s get you into the fall.
HIRE AN INTEGRATOR TO DO A SECURITY AUDIT
While it might sound self-serving, the truth is that if you’re serious about your company’s security, then you need to hire experts who can assess its strengths and weaknesses and show you how to move forward and keep everyone safe.
While looking for an integrator, here are a few questions to ask:
Has the integrator worked with clients in my industry before?
How do they evaluate and audit our current security practices?
Do they integrate physical security with cybersecurity?
What’s their reputation in the security field?
How do they handle installation?
How do they handle calls for service?
Those questions should get you started as you look for the right integrator. Forming a great strategy for moving from summer to fall, or working through any upgrades in your security system, should begin with finding the right expert to guide you. Now, with these questions, it might be a little easier to find one.
EXECUTION IS ABOUT HAVING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE
It may sound indelicate, but before you implement your new security strategy or usher in new security policies, it’s best to terminate the contracts of those employees who you are planning to let go in the fall before you make any changes.
The reasons for this might seem obvious, but just in case they’re not: your security protocols and how your organization conducts them should only be known by your employees who you are planning to keep.
Informing employees of all the new security protocols and then firing some of them puts you, your building, and your remaining employees at risk. If you need to wait for an employee’s contract or work project to end before you completely overhaul your security system, that’s understandable.
In the end, only you will know the right timing for implementing some significant security changes and who you want on board when those changes happen. Work with your integrator to find the best timing and be honest about your concerns.
DIAL-IN WORK FROM HOME PROTOCOLS
Many offices are either fully remote, or using some sort of hybrid model. Even if you’re fully in person, there is still work often being done over the weekends from home. No matter what, being able to have a security plan that helps to manage mobile protocols is incredibly important to the continued integrity of your company’s data.
We recommend creating a top-down approach to implementing mobile security protocols that include things like:
Using a virtual private network
Updating software on a regular schedule
Teaching employees correct passwords and other access protocols
Limiting data access to essential or project-specific personnel
Keeping lines of communication open with off-site staff
Communicating clear data-protection expectations
Working from home or hybrid models of business doesn’t have to be a riskier proposition than working in person or implementing a physical security system. You can be just as effective with the right plan and implementation.
STAY THE COURSE
The last thing we’ll say about implementing new security protocols or upgrading your current system is this:
Once a security plan is in place, and you’ve done all the hard work of seeing it executed, do what’s needed to keep it healthy and running.
Too often, we see clients spend time and energy to get a new security plan in place, only to have it grow weaknesses because it took an effort to maintain, or they simply got distracted and reprioritized their time or money.
The security and safety of your employees should never get reprioritized. It should remain near the top of your priorities, and you should continue to learn and grow and find ways to make it a little better all the time. That’s what Duty Of Care represents, and that’s what we want to help business owners accomplish.
AN INTEGRATOR FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE
At SAGE, we love helping our clients find the right paths forward, no matter what season of life their company is in. We know you pride yourself on aiming to be the very best, and that’s what we want to bring to the table, too – our very best.
So whether that’s the latest in technological advances, AI gun detection, shot or weapon recognition, access and dispatch controls, or cybersecurity – we’re bringing all our expertise to the table, so you never have to worry about office safety or security again. That’s the way of now and the future. The SAGE way.
Ready to make some big changes or just looking to understand a little more about the health of your current security plan? Reach out to us.