Empowerment — it’s one of the best feelings a business owner can experience. Yes, life is still running along in the background as unpredictable as ever; however, some things remain within your control when you are your own boss. When you run your own business, you can set your hours and have the final say regarding your workload — two MA-HU-SIVE bonuses right there for the old work-life balance schtick.

But with great empowerment comes great responsibility. As a business owner, the buck stops with you. That means a helluva lot of responsibility on your shoulders, especially when things go wrong; circling back to the unpredictable life thing. And I can tell you that aspect is S C A R Y, cuz I run a business too.

There are many risks, which can make people do a double-take about starting the business in the first place! I can only speak for myself, but the rewards have been well worth the responsibility for me. Also, there are practical security measures you can take to protect your business. So proceed with caution, by all means, just continue to move toward your dream!

Boosting Business Security S C A R Y Hypotheticals (SORRY)

Full disclosure I’m now going to write about a few hypotheticals that could go wrong. Sorry, sorry, sorry, but these scenarios have helped to inform the tips contained in the article. Given how weird 2020 turned out, I think it’s worth paying a little more attention to the sometimes rubbish and often frightening aspects of business, including security.

There are a few common security risks that apply to the digital and bricks and mortar business landscapes. Cybercriminals could hack your data, while thieves could break-in and steal valuable equipment or hard copies of critical documents.

My final horrifying hypothetical is that your offices could flood or catch fire, which could mean “Hasta la vista, baby” for your biz. I know it all sounds a little ‘action-filmy,’ (the quote probably didn’t help) but stranger things have happened before now IRL.

It Ain’t All Bad. YAY!

The good news — as long as you are aware of all the risks and take steps to manage them, you can minimise the danger and enjoy some peace of mind. A business owner should never be complacent, and you should plan for every possible scenario.

Planning this way will help you decipher which steps are the most relevant to your business model, and which ones don’t serve you. To get you started, here are five of the most effective actions you can take to boost your business security.

Secure Your Premises

The first thing you should do is take a good look at your premises and ask yourself how easy it would be for an opportunistic thief to break in. Is your office secured by a gate or fence? Could someone easily climb over it? Are your doors sturdy with a secure lock? Are the windows easily accessible?

Any action you can take to boost security will make a difference because a burglar is unlikely to target your business specifically: they will be looking for easy targets with minimal protection. Upgrading your doors and locks will go a long way towards minimising the risk.

Install a Security System

The most effective way to deter a thief is to install a comprehensive security system. There are so many commercial CCTV systems and other security solutions designed to protect businesses, and it will always be a worthwhile investment.

These systems vary but can include motion-sensing lighting, security cameras, and burglar alarms.

Secure Your Valuables

Most workplaces contain various valuable items such as computers, camera equipment, retail goods, and cash. If a burglar does break into your premises, you want to ensure they make off with as little as possible.

That means not leaving expensive stuff lying around. Invest in a safe to secure valuables at night. Make sure it’s big and bulky enough that intruders can’t carry it off.

Maintain Your Cybersecurity

The risk to your business is not just physical; it’s virtual too. If you are an online business, you are susceptible to cyberattacks from hackers who could steal your data and disrupt your operations.

You must have solid cybersecurity protocols in place. Maintain secure passwords, upgrade antivirus software and firewalls regularly, and consult an IT security firm to conduct an assessment.

Back up Your Data

One of the worst scenarios for your business is a complete loss of data. If a cybersecurity attack wipes out your system or a fire breaks out and destroys your office, you should have a plan in place to ensure you can recover all data.

Otherwise, not only will your business be disrupted, but you also risk potential legal action from clients and customers. To avoid this, you should back up your data onto an external hard drive every day and always ensure you keep a copy outside of the office. This way if the worst happens, you can get back up and running right away.

FIN

Thank you for spending some of your precious time in my online abode today

P.s. If you find my content useful and enjoy what I share, why not buy me a coffee by clicking the button below?

P.p.s. If you enjoyed this post, why not check out my previous article by clicking the image below.