Office Security for the Holidays
The holiday season is rapidly approaching and that means we’re getting to a very busy time of the year. In many offices, more and more people take time off or spend time celebrating and having fun at work. Unfortunately, criminals often take advantage of these opportunities and commit crimes during this season when there are more distractions.
Here is how you can keep your office safe and secure during the holidays.
Make sure you’re not understaffed
During the holidays, a lot of people take vacation or work half days. In fact, your office might even be closed down for a period during this time. While it’s obviously a good idea to get some time off work if you can have it, it’s also important to make sure you’re not understaffed to a point that you can’t watch over and secure your business properly.
Make sure your security is working
If your office closes down for a period during the holidays, make sure that your current security set-up is functioning properly before you close. If you find any issues, make sure to have them fixed before you go away. Criminals often scout out businesses for a while before the strike, so they know when staff are not around. They also know that, when an office closes around the holidays, that it will likely be closed for a while, so they are more likely to strike. This is why having functioning security is crucial.
Monitor all visitors
Sometimes people try to gain access to your office by pretending to be couriers, customers, or solicitors. It’s important that you have someone at your reception desk to monitor all visitors and let them know that they are being watched. Sometimes, criminals use these opportunities to check out your security system or scout possible entry points. If you see anything suspicious, ask the visitor if you can help them and consider escorting them to another area.
Use physical security
Physical security tools keep businesses safe. Security gates put a physical barrier in between your office and criminals who want to do you harm. By installing gates on doors and windows, you make it much more difficult for someone to gain access to your location. Many criminals do not even consider striking a location that has security gates in place, since they know it will take much more effort to break in. They’d rather go to a different location where gaining access will be easier.
Physical security is also very useful inside a property. Not only can gates and locked doors function as access control tools, protecting sensitive areas and areas that contain valuables, but it’s also a good idea to lock small yet valuable items inside locked cabinets as well. Tablets, cell phones, laptops, and other such items should not be left out in the open.
Ask neighbouring businesses for help
If your business is going to be closed during the holidays, consider asking a neighbouring business for help. If there is a nearby business owner that you trust who isn’t going to be away at the same time you are, ask them if they can keep an eye on your office for you and have them call you if they notice anything suspicious.
