Posts

How to Maintain a Secure Business Premises

StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | How to Maintain a Secure Business Premises

Security is crucial for commercial business premises. Even if the business is located in a low-crime area, it is important to secure the premises out of hours, and if you operate in a sensitive field, 24/7 security might be needed.

There are lots of options to consider, depending on how much security you need. Read on for a guide to the main things to look at.

Fencing

Perimeter fencing is important. This can be decorative as well as secure, so don’t assume one negates the other. Think about the level of security you need before hiring a commercial fencing Chesterfield contractor.

Do you store expensive equipment on the site? If so, the fencing needs to reflect this. Look at security fencing that offers superior strength, such as chain link fencing or decorative steel fencing. Anti-climb fencing is useful if you want to deter people from climbing over it.

You may also need fencing to keep people from straying into some areas of your site.

Gates

Gates keep unwanted visitors out but it’s also important to have a way of controlling the traffic flow if you have a steady stream of clients, visitors, and employees arriving and leaving all day and night. This applies to larger premises, such as factories, warehouses, and distribution centers. There are lots of different designs, including swinging and sliding gates.

Secure access control systems are a good solution. If a gate control system is installed, it will make life easier for the gate operator. Their job is to verify the credentials of anyone entering the premises, so it is helpful if they can open and close the gate using an electronic mechanism.

All gates should be lockable and secure when the premises are closed.

Lighting

Security lighting will help to keep your business premises secure by shining a light on anyone trying to gain entry. Most intruders don’t want their actions to be visible to anyone passing by. Bright lights make it much harder for someone to break in.

Fix bright lights around the permitter and over any doors. Motion-controlled security lights use less energy if you don’t want lights blazing all night. Be vigilant for lighting blackspots and make sure all lights are well maintained, so bulbs are replaced when they burn out.

Security Cameras

Modern security systems are very sophisticated and unobtrusive. With the right system, you can have a live feed transmitted to a remote device and uploaded to the cloud. This way, the premises can be monitored and protected at all times, without on-site security staff.

Speak to an expert to view your options.

On-Site Security Personnel

There may be a need for on-site security personnel patrolling the premises outside of operating hours or 24/7, depending on the nature of your business. If you go with this option, make sure you provide welfare facilities for your team, where they can monitor cameras and keep warm.

There are plenty of ways to keep commercial premises secure. Choose the best option for your budget and business type.

How to Pick the Best Web Hosting Company

Because a lot of thought, planning, and money goes into creating the perfect website for your business, you want to be sure it gets the traffic you are aiming for and that the website can handle everything that is thrown at it. This is where the web hosting company comes into play. The web host is the service that publishes your website so others will see it. It provides a company with the actual server space to store all its content and looks after the file maintenance involved in the site. It is easily the most important component in building your site.

So, before you just go ahead and randomly select the first web host that you find, you may want to take some time and use these tips that will help you pick the best web hosting company for your specific needs.

Keep the Three S’s in Mind

A simple way to go about picking a web host is to always keep the three S’s in mind. These S’s are security, support, and speed. Each of these plays an important role, and if even one of these is lagging, the entire site and the user experience will suffer. Each time you investigate a web host, you need to ask about the three S’s and get detailed specifics.

Of course, there is more to it than just the three S’s, these just happen to be the most important criteria to watch for.

Be Aware of Your Specific Needs

It’s also very important that you are aware of your specific needs. It’s hard to shop for a host when you don’t even know what you need. Give thought to the website you are building. If you want to use something simple like WordPress, how much web traffic you are expecting? If you need any sort of special software for the site, do you know what this is and how to get it? Certain hosts will cater to specific criteria, which will help you to narrow down your options and find that perfect fit.

How Reliable is the Server?

Web traffic is fickle in that it will only stick around and stay strong if the website performs smoothly and as it is intended. What this means is that you need a reliable server that can handle your traffic without needing to “time out”.

When speaking to a potential web host you want to ask about their “uptime”, this is the time the website will be up and running, and is reliable. When a website crashes, it’s not unusual to lose more than just traffic, you can also lose out on a large number of potential sales.

What Kind of Pricing is Offered

Budget should always be on your mind when shopping for a web host. You want to find a package that offers everything you need, doesn’t have any surprise costs built in, and fits your budget.

Picking a web hosting company isn’t something you want to rush through. It’s important to do your research, take a good look at your options, and make sure you weigh all the pros and cons before making a final decision.

Top 10 Cyber Security Tips

These days, more people than ever use technology, including mobile devices, to conduct their professional and personal business. Companies of all sizes place incredibly valuable data in cloud-based repositories, and hackers are constantly testing new ways to gain access.

For these reasons, it’s more important than ever to safeguard vital assets with sound cyber security practices – and to remain vigilant to prevent breaches. Here are 10 cyber security tips that can help you reduce vulnerability:


Hi there! This article is available for free. Login or register as a StrategyDriven Personal Business Advisor Self-Guided Client by:

Subscribing to the Self Guided Program - It's Free!


 


About the Author

Bill Carey is Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Siber Systems Inc., which offers the top-rated RoboForm Password Manager software.