Owning a business is a significant achievement, so you certainly want to protect your assets. Assets can range from client or proprietary information to physical products. Managing your business means that you need to expect the unexpected, whether that’s a natural disaster or criminal activity such as forgery, robbery, or cyber-attacks.
Your primary task is to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of criminal activity. Effective self-defense is a crucial aspect of protecting yourself and your business.
1. Risk Assessment
There are several steps you can take to ensure the security of your business, property, and employees. The first one is to contact a professional security integrator to help you perform a risk assessment so that you can develop a security plan. While you can’t prevent a natural disaster or control people, you can minimize your losses if disaster strikes.
In 2017, the FBI UCR report showed that there were 7,694,086 property crimes and 1,247,321 violent crimes in the United States. There are a variety of crimes that impact businesses, such as theft and shoplifting. These are common and can cost you significant amounts of money. Crimes against people on the property are less common but can be very traumatic. Efficient security measures can protect you from embezzlement, theft, vandalism, and burglary.
The security integrator can identify problem areas and give you solutions to correct them. They’ll also let you know if you need to upgrade any of your equipment. A security integrator can customize a security system that meets the needs of your specific business. They can even help you find equipment that integrates with your other security systems.
2. Choosing a Site for Your Business
Security for your business begins with selecting the right location. If you choose a site in a high-crime area, then you’ll need to spend more on security features. Your investment in security for your shop will be less if you purchase or rent a store in a low-crime area.
Cost is usually a factor in location and how much security you can afford. An area with a lower crime is the safest place to operate your shop and may cost you less over time.
3. Security Features
There are many security features available, and choosing the right security depends on the crime in the area. The more security measures you have in place, the safer your business, employees, and customers will be. If your store is located in a shopping center, many of these features are probably already in place. There may even be security guards monitoring and patrolling the property 24/7. Of course, you’ll pay extra rent for these locations.
● Lighting Solutions
Outdoor lighting is a critical element of exterior security. Install motion sensor lighting near windows and doors. This lighting serves double duty. Motion triggers the lights, so when you or your employees approach the shop in the dark; they turn on making entry safer. When criminals approach the building, the lights will turn on and deter them. Few thieves want to break into a store with bright lights shining on them.
Use timers on inside lights so that they shut on and off at different times. Vandals and thieves won’t be able to guess when someone is there or not. You’d be surprised at how well these simple tricks work.
● Security Systems for Small Businesses
In today’s security environment, security systems are necessary to protect your business, customers, employers, and yourself. Monitored security systems deter intruders and give you the peace of mind that someone is always watching your business.
Motion triggers the sensors which alert a 24/7 monitoring system that there is a possible security breach. Smart security solutions can even tell the difference between people, animals, and vehicles and whether they are on your property or not. Other features include door and window alarms, glass break sensors, and more. The monitoring center also has the ability to give remote vocal commands to trespassers on the property.
These systems allow you to interact with people on the property using two-way radio and live video feed. You can check on your business and employees from wherever you are.
● Other Available Security Features
Additional security features you can include:
- Cash offices that lock and have a secure safe
- Bullet-proof glass for high-crime areas, locations with valuable inventory, and for businesses that bring in large amounts of cash
- Steel security doors
- Security gates that cover the front of the store and fold back to open the store
- Perimeter fencing
4. Self Defense Weapons
You can also protect yourself by carrying self-defense weapons and survival gear. There are several tools that you can purchase to defend yourself when exiting the shop to get to your car.
Stun guns and tasers are handy tools to use for self-defense. Tasers eliminate threats by neuromuscular incapacitation. This affects the body’s motor and sensory nervous systems. This kind of tool is an excellent weapon for a suspect advancing on you who is still several feet away.
The stun gun works only on the sensory nerves, and it may not affect people with high pain tolerance, drug use, etc. The suspect may also be able to fight through the pain. Still, the stun gun is an excellent weapon for close-quarter confrontations, and it can buy you time to get away from your attacker.
Pepper spray is another excellent tool for self-defense. You can keep it in your purse or pocket. If someone tries to assault you, spray them in the face and run. The spray affects the mucous membranes, making it difficult to breathe. It also burns the skin and eyes.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your employees, customers, and property.
From complex security systems to personal self-defense weapons, there are many security solutions to keep you and your business safe. Choose several options—because protecting your business and all who enter it should be your number-one priority.
