The holidays are creeping up on us faster than most of us realize. Pretty soon, we’ll be sitting around the table with family, opening gifts, meeting Santa at the mall, going to light shows, and plenty more to get into the holiday spirit. But unfortunately, it’s not all twinkling lights and hot cocoa. Some people out there seek to exploit the holiday cheer and our tendency to let our guard down as a result. It’s important for everyone to be aware of this and remain vigilant, but even more so for business owners. Is your business security ready to protect your livelihood during the season of comfort and joy?
We want to make sure your business is protected. Here are some small business security tips for deterring would-be grinches during the holidays.
Strengthening Physical Business Security
Though we live in a digital age, physical security is as necessary as ever. Even if you don’t have a physical location and run a business from your home, that home needs to be protected. Here’s what you can do.
Install (or Upgrade) Security Cameras and Alarm Systems
Are your cameras up-to-date? Do they provide clear visuals and integrate with an alarm system? And speaking of that, is the alarm system effective enough to keep your comfort levels high? If either of these things are lacking in these areas, it’s time for an upgrade to your small business security systems. And if you don’t have them at all, obtaining and installing them needs to be a priority!
Outdoor Lighting
It’s amazing how something as simple as light can discourage most would-be intruders from trying to gain access. When they’re suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree, they’re going to think twice about their plans. Motion sensor lights are the most effective, because they catch people off guard and make them panic. Be sure to position them so they cover all potential entry points as well as parking areas.
Entry Point Security
Speaking of entry points, it’s important to beef up security here, as well. Simple doorknob locks no longer cut it, as they’re easy to bypass using common items. Find locks that provide additional security from a trusted manufacturer and equip your windows and doors with them. When your obvious entryways are fortified, your risk of a break-in decreases significantly.
Additional Security Staff
If you have the budget, we recommend hiring security staff that can be onsite during “high-risk” times. During business hours, this can help with theft prevention, while at night, burglars will decide to move along if they see a guard.
Strengthening Digital Business Security
Online shopping is becoming more prevalent with each passing holiday season, so it’s no surprise that criminals would seek to exploit weaknesses in your small business security from the comfort of their home. With that in mind, cybersecurity should be a top priority for your business this holiday.
Update Your Software With the Latest Patches
Ensure your website, e-commerce platform, and any plugins you use are up-to-date with the latest official patches released by their developers. Falling behind in this could potentially leave the door open for someone to exploit weaknesses in the systems.
Set Up Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
We know it’s a hassle to set up passwords you couldn’t possibly memorize and authentication that makes the login process slower. But look at it this way: You’ll wish you took that extra care if your security is compromised and someone makes off with untold amounts of your hard-earned money.
Take the time to set passwords that are near-impossible to crack—use numbers and symbols, as well as uppercase and lowercase letters. Additionally, make sure each password is unique. If you use the same one for every platform and someone cracks it, you could be in a compromising situation. There are plenty of secure apps out there that help keep track of your login details.
Implement Secure Payment Gateways
Don’t put your customers’ information (and money) at risk by butting corners. Make sure you go the extra mile in selecting a reputable payment gateway. Additionally, implement an SSL certificate, which provides encryption for information that is transferred over your website.
Employee Awareness and Training
Now it’s time to cover a crucial line of defense that most business owners don’t consider: Your employees. With so much time and money spent on business security systems, the security savvy of your people is often overlooked. Train them in:
- Phishing Awareness: When your team is able to identify phishing tactics—both basic and advanced—they can effectively protect business assets, protecting both you and your customers.
- Security Protocols: You can establish guidelines for how to handle customer data and other sensitive information, but that won’t mean much if your employees aren’t familiar with them. Schedule devoted training sessions to get them familiar with security procedures so they won’t become a security risk.
- Vigilance: Remind employees to be on the lookout for suspicious activity at your business’ physical location. This could include ill-meaning customers, potential scams, or someone staking the place out.
Last year, 74% of all business security breaches included human error. Needless to say, your employees could be the make-or-break factor.
Secure Financial Transactions
This holiday season is likely the busiest time of year for your business. You’re going to see an extreme uptick in sales, and you should take care to secure each and every transaction. Here’s what you can implement:
- Secure Point-of-Sale (POS) System: Keep your POS software up-to-date and make sure it’s secure from malware or other tampering. Keep it in clear view of a security camera.
- Transaction Monitoring: If the software you use offers alerts for suspicious activity, take advantage of that feature. Additionally, you could limit the cash you keep at your register to minimize losses in the event of a robbery or theft.
- Credit Card Fraud Detection: There are plenty of tools out there that are designed to detect and prevent credit card fraud. Make use of them to ensure transactions are processed securely.
Planning for Emergencies
Even with great small business security systems in place, the risk of being targeted is never zero. Though we can take steps to reduce fraud, break-ins, and other incidents, it’s ultimately up to the perpetrators to decide if and when an incident will occur. What is in your hands, however, is how you respond should one take place. Develop a plan to handle these incidents and make sure all your team members are aware of their role in it. Moreover, you should have a communication plan in place to let customers know if their data is put at risk or compromised. Anything short of total honesty in these situations could make matters even worse.
While you’re at it, make sure you review your insurance policies to confirm they cover holiday-related incidents—like increased customer traffic and inventory.
Comfort, Joy, and Peace of Mind
Security is always an essential part of running a successful and safe business. During the holiday season, the stakes are even higher. If you proactively implement physical and digital safeguards, however, you can rest much easier. Take the time to bolster your business security and get ready for not only the holiday rush, but those who would use this time of year for ill-gotten gains.
Need some help identifying your areas for improvement when it comes to your small business security systems? We’re happy to work with you and implement a solution that works best for you. Reach out and let’s secure your holiday comfort!
