5 Things to Consider for the Security and Safety of Your Business and Employees

Security and safety affect all industry sectors — healthcare, manufacturing, construction, education, retail, entertainment venues, and restaurants, to name a few. Implementing effective business security systems is crucial to safeguarding your assets and ensuring employee safety. Prevention is key to mitigating safety risks and protecting the business you have worked so hard to build.

Your security system doesn’t need to be costly, but it does need to be effective. Here is a look at the top five things to consider when it comes to building the security and safety for your business, your employees, and your customers.

#1: Identify Known and Potential Security Threats

The most common security threat, aside from physical areas or situations, is complacency: understanding that threats are possible but feeling that it likely won’t happen to your business. This creates an environment ripe for issues. However, it can be quickly addressed by making security and employee safety a point of conversation and having every person involved in your company understand their role in keeping the business secure.

In general, OSHA recommends a strong commitment by management and involvement by employees to ensure the best security plan, which may include clear goals and a written program.

Security threats can be anywhere and take on many forms depending on your business, industry, or location. In the healthcare industry, for example, the risk may be a loss of privacy or HIPPA violation. In the education sector, it might be unwanted intruders.

Start your business security plan with general high-security threats for your industry and your location and continue on to more specific threats. High-security threat areas may include:

• High-foot and vehicle traffic areas
• High-risk property
• Door entries and building access
• Points of sales
• Areas of possible collisions
• Low-light parking lots
• Obscure corner angles

#2: Get Expert Advice on Business Security Systems

As you develop your plan to keep your business and employees safe and secure, reach out to an expert who can help assess your current security, your business operational needs, and appropriate solutions. They'll evaluate your needs and determine how to best prepare you for future growth and technology changes.

An expert can find appropriate solutions and provide accurate estimates to ensure your business security vision is realized within your budget. Be comprehensive about your security plan by documenting the different components, features, and security steps you want to incorporate now and in the future.

When it comes to the security and safety of your business and employees, consider the following:

• Infrastructure: Is your existing infrastructure able to support the components you plan to include. Your cabling infrastructure and how it is installed have a big impact on the strength of cybersecurity and internet connectivity. The newest structured (Cat 6A) and multimode (fiber optic) cabling allow greater bandwidth and scalability with more reliable data transmissions, driving security within your network ecosystem. They meet higher security requirements for data center infrastructures; enable fast, interruption-free network operation; and protect against data security threats.
• Policies & Procedures: Consider your existing workplace safety policies and emergency procedures and how these may need to be revised. Remember, safety and security training is the cornerstone of a secure and protected building and venue. It starts with a well-thought-out crisis prevention and response plan. 
• Knowledge & Skills: Consider your existing skill and knowledge base. Your staff plays an integral role in keeping your business secure. Train your employees to understand your integrated security systems, including their key functions and locations. This is the best way to provide the knowledge and skills needed to respond to emergencies, mitigate risks, and safeguard lives.

#3: Explore Integrated Security Solutions

There are a lot of equipment options when it comes to security. For example, integrating mass communication systems and utilizing multiple channels for communication, such as PA systems, mobile apps, and digital displays ensures messages are received even if one communication method fails.

A professional full-service team will be able to give you the best possible integrated security solutions for your budget. They can help you implement a long-term plan, so you get the protection you need now and the ability to expand in the future. 

Here are some of the solutions for common security concerns:

Building Security:

• Door access control - Depending on your needs, features such as door access tracking and programmable door locks are available to control who enters your buildings and when. Implement a system to monitor all day-to-day access and archive the data for future reference. This may include cameras, gate systems, and keycards. 
• Security cameras - Outdoor and indoor cameras provide 24/7 oversight and recording of activity on your property. Consider the camera placement, recording options, resolution, especially when choosing camera options for high-risk areas such as entries, docks or alleys. Invest in security cameras that offer advanced features such as face search, motion detection, live and remote viewing, immediate threat response, and license plate recognition for tracking vehicle entries and exits. Advanced systems, like those from Verkada, also include capabilities to track individual and group movements from camera to camera, aiding security personnel in monitoring crowd flow and detecting unusual behavior patterns.

Perimeter and Grounds Safety:

• Gated entries – Gated parking lots and entries provide security for parking areas and campuses.
• Perimeter lighting – Motion-sensored or timed lighting can keep corners and entry ways illuminated and well-placed grounds or landscape lighting can help visitors find their way as well increase a sense of safety.
• Parking lot lighting – Broad lighting in open areas like surface parking lots are important as well. Having these on timers keeps lots lit during seasonal weather and daylight savings times.

Resident, Patient and Student Safety:

• Wander management – Door access and wander management systems work in tandem to reduce unwanted building exits in environments such as nursing homes or day care environments.
• Nurse call – In nursing or hospital facilities, nurse call allows quick response for health emergencies.
• Blue emergency call boxes – Often placed in parking lots or pathways further away from the main building, blue emergency call boxes provide assistance to anyone in distress. They also help illuminate areas of the property that may otherwise be dark, therefore deterring crimes. These are especially useful in retail or in higher education.
• Areas of rescue or refuge systems – These are communication systems set up in a particular area where people are to congregate safely in case of emergency. These are often found in multitenant housing or education facilities.

Healthier Environments:

• LED lighting – Studies show that lighting can affect circadian rhythms and thus performance and mood. Improving workplace lighting, both in intensity and color, can improve the wellbeing of employees and patients.
• Occupancy sensors – Along with door access systems, hands-free occupancy sensors for room lighting provides a no-touch experience.
• Air sanitation/filtration – Sanitation/Filtration systems sanitize indoor air, reducing airborne pollutants and germs.

Looking to implement healthier building strategies for your healthcare facility? Dive into our blog post for expert insights!

Privacy:

• Sound masking – Sound masking is an ambient sound that helps protect unauthorized access to personal information (HIPAA), but it can also help business owners provide a comfortable work setting with less distraction.
• Background music – Adding background music to your environment can mask private conversations and provide a more comfortable experience in areas such as waiting rooms, restrooms, patient rooms, check in areas and more.

General Safety/Security:

• Fire alarm systems – Verify your fire alarm system complies with all relevant safety codes, regulations, and building classification requirements. This includes confirming the system is designed to handle the maximum occupancy. Routinely inspect and test your fire alarm system functionality and signal strength.
• Audio systems–Audio speakers and wiring can be installed indoors and outdoors, depending on your security needs. You may consider features like combined audio/video or multi-zone setups.
• PA systems–This system of amplifiers, microphone, and speakers can be used to communicate inside and outside of your building. You’ll want to consider location and communication features like push-to-talk and amplification.
• Command centers–Control or command centers are the hub of your security system. When looking at different models, consider the usability and features like automation as well as compatibility with other security options.

Did you know fire alarm systems can be integrated into emergency communication systems, allowing for fast and seamless communication with local fire departments and other first responders? Learn about our fire alarm installation services! 

#4: Use Quality Electrical Contractors