Most business owners acknowledge knowing how vital this step is but admittedly put it off due to being overwhelmed with additional tasks.

What? Regularly assessing individuals’ access security levels is vital to ensure access permissions align with an individual’s current job duties. Grant permission access based on need. Give each person the minimal access required to perform their job effectively.

When? Conduct this process periodically, ideally every six months or as roles change within the organization. Adding this to the annual review ensures that it is completed at least once yearly. It is a great way to ensure you’re speaking to the employee regarding their needs to complete their job duties efficiently.

Why? Failure to do so compromises the building’s security and can lead to unauthorized access. By keeping access levels up-to-date, organizations can mitigate risks associated with insider threats and unauthorized access attempts. Regular security access level checks are a large step employers can take to ensure security and safety.

Buildings have their specific security risks based on design and industry. Being neglectful of them keeps you at greater risk.

What? A security risk assessment can be completed to comprehensively evaluate the building’s design and identify potential security vulnerabilities. Such flaws may include poorly lit areas, lack of call buttons in parking garages, blind spots, unmonitored stairwells, non-regulated clearance, etc.

How? Security consulting professionals at IMS will evaluate your building firsthand and discuss security solutions to your vulnerabilities. The IMS consulting services team is first-class at detecting these security holes.

Why? Implementing measures such as improved lighting, installation of call buttons, and strategic placement of surveillance cameras enhances security and deters criminal activity.

Older and outdated systems can become easy to bypass and are a green light to criminals looking for an easy target.

When? Consult with security professional services every seven to ten years to explore upgrading access control systems. Upgrades keep things secure against criminals, find vulnerabilities, and ensure systems work together seamlessly. Significant gaps between system upgrades may cause compatibility issues.

Why? A balance between security and convenience is essential, ensuring access control measures do not impede daily operations. Meeting with a security expert from IMS, their expertise can tailor the system to suit the building’s layout, number of occupants, and specific operational requirements, such as deliveries, visitor management, and workflows.

What? Three top access control device features are physical access – who is allowed into a building or area; logical access control – which restricts access to digital data; and role-based access control (RBAC) – organizational rights based on roles within the company.

A security hole that is too often left wide open. Keeping someone in your system after termination is a considerable security risk. Owners can easily avoid this security flaw by appointing an access manager responsible for these updates.

Who? Clearly define who has control over access management. Give this job duty to someone who knows each person’s role within the company. They will be accountable for speedy updates to clearance and level-based access.

How? Determine the necessity for permanent and temporary access. Grant access to the necessary level in the system and keep on top of changes in level due to terminations, new hires, and job changes.

Where? Take into account the building layout and who needs access to secure rooms. Make sure general access is allowed in common areas. Give varying levels of authorization to employees based on room security needs. Remember to account for visitors and their proper access privileges.

Without emergency protocols, people may panic and cause additional problems during a crisis.

What? Regularly test security systems and protocols to ensure their effectiveness. Establish clear security violation protocols, evacuation procedures, and emergency response plans.

Why? Preparedness is critical to minimizing the impact of security breaches and ensuring emergency services prompt response to emergencies. Having defined procedures reduces employee worry and gives reassurance that the situation is under control. Research by Forbes discovered that 83% of United States workers have encountered at least one emergency. Given these numbers, it’s easy to understand why employees may need a set protocol for their peace of mind.

When? System testing should be on a consistent, revolving schedule. Maintaining a testing schedule identifies vulnerabilities, refines response procedures, and enhances overall preparedness for security incidents. We recommend completing security system testing at least every six months. Businesses should review emergency protocols with the staff a minimum of once per year.

Where? Want the link to OSHA’s eTool for creating your emergency action plan protocol? Tap here to see OSHA’s eTool resources for business owners.

Neglecting the outside perimeter signals to criminals that you are not watching the property.

Why? Implement landscaping to deter criminal activity around entrances and vulnerable areas. Maintain the landscaping so offenders see ongoing care of the building and property. Overgrowth signals that the building may be neglected and can be an easy mark.

How? Maintain low bushes to minimize hiding spots, and eliminate trees close to the building that people could climb, getting to higher floors or the roof. Illuminate the surroundings to discourage lurking. Install outdoor motion detectors with bright lights to signal the building’s security measures.

Reduce an owner’s fear of vandalism, theft, and break-ins while you also tackle the issues of harassment, employee misconduct, and accident or injury lawsuit disputes.

Why? Surveillance cameras are the triple-tiered approach to enhancing protection from both internal and external threats. Surveillance cameras act as a deterrent, and the security footage is evidence after the fact.

Who? Security cameras are helpful against outside threats such as theft, vandalism, intrusion, and criminal activity. Installing video surveillance cameras also helps mitigate the risk of liability and lawsuits in accident or injury disputes. Yet surveillance cameras are equally suitable for discouraging or dispelling employee misconduct, such as harassment, fraud, and employee theft. Need an incident report? Eforms has multiple templates to choose from.

How? Equip CCTV cameras in common areas to monitor and record activities. Further, in the event of a security incident, the footage provides valuable, hard-to-dispute evidence in court. Avoid potential threats by equipping the building’s premises with IP security cameras. See the latest in camera technology.

Maintaining a visitor log can be time-consuming and burdensome – not to mention the preconceived notion of its intrusiveness. But the security benefits are numerous.

Why? First and foremost, monitoring visitors creates a traceability chain. In case of a security breach, incident, or violation, a visitor’s log records all individuals present at a given time. Maintaining these logs makes it easier to trace suspicious activity or conduct investigations after a security incident.

Who? Visitors include anyone entering the building: guests, meetings, deliveries, and friends. Anyone who is not a regular employee (Employees should have a separate protocol for signing in and verification.) Many high-traffic buildings want to avoid the continued hassle of bothering their occupants’ visitors. However, monitoring your building’s physical security access considerably boosts security.

How? Require all visitors to sign in and obtain identification upon entry. Educate employees about the importance of verifying the identity of individuals without proper identification. Need a printable visitor’s log?

A property owner’s fears include that things are slipping out the back door.

Where? The loading dock is a contention for backdoor crimes. These can include outside theft, employee theft, intrusion, and robbery.

Why? The back of a building is less visible and often less watched over than its front or main entrances. This limited visibility makes back doors a primary target for criminal activity. Because they are not the main entry for visitors and occupants, they also tend to be less light after dark.

How? Monitoring loading dock activities prevents unauthorized access and theft of goods. Implement protocols for monitoring and securing loading dock areas. Maintain a loading schedule so that someone is directly accountable for receiving deliveries. This accountability factor minimizes the risk of security breaches and asset loss.