When you run a business, losing track of all the moving parts can be easy. There are books to balance, employees to manage, and a million other little things that need your attention on any given day. It’s not uncommon for business owners to overlook certain operational elements because they seem small or unimportant—until something goes wrong. A final inspection audit in an industrial refrigerator reveals a missing thermostat that was removed for repair but never replaced. The discovery triggers a recall from the manufacturer and financial losses from the organization and its customers. An employee is caught stealing supplies by installing them at home during his lunch break. An inventory check reveals shortages and inconsistencies with security video footage that shows operators replacing high-end products with lower-end versions without recording the changes with software. These scenarios could have been prevented had physical security measures been taken into account sooner.
Why is Physical Security Important?
People are the single biggest risk to the safety and security in Calgary of any organization. As important as they are in your business and day-to-day functions, they can also be your biggest liability if not properly supervised and monitored. Physical security measures help protect against threats from people inside and outside your organization by implementing safeguards, procedures, and other protocols to reduce potential risks. Physical security measures also control access to your facility and the asset inside. The more control you have over who has access to what, the more likely you will prevent harmful situations from arising. Physical security measures are also used to control and monitor the flow of materials. Controlling the flow of materials is important for any business, especially where sensitive or proprietary equipment is involved.
Benefits of Physical Security
There are many benefits to implementing physical security measures in your business, including: – Increased Safety – Physical security measures can help keep your employees safe in the workplace by reducing the risk of accidents due to slippery floors, poor lighting, etc. – Reduction in Liability – By installing appropriate safety devices, you can reduce the potential for your organization to be liable in the case of an accident. – Appropriate control – The more control you have over who has access to what in your business, the better you can ensure materials, equipment, and records are handled correctly.
How to Implement Physical Security Measures
There are seven basic categories of physical security measures. They include: – Access Control – This is a measure used to control who has access to what locations within the facility. – Building and Grounds – This includes the facility’s architecture, condition, and any additions made over time. – Communication – This includes internal communication systems, such as intercoms, paging systems, and interdepartmental communications, and external communication systems, such as cellular phones and walkie-talkies. – Crimes and Security – This category includes preventing, investigating, and reducing crimes against your business or its personnel.
Conclusion
Physical security measures are an important part of any organization, from a large corporation to a small business. All businesses will benefit from implementing physical security measures because they are designed to reduce risk and protect against potential threats. The more control you have over who has access to what, the better you can ensure materials, equipment, and records are handled correctly. Those who visit your business will appreciate the safe environment you’ve created, while employees will feel safer and more secure knowing they won’t be in danger while doing their jobs.
