The end of any year is an excellent time for businesses to take stock of where they are, not just in terms of company goals and targets but also to review security measures — both physical and cyber. Here we run through a simple end of year security checklist for businesses and appropriate measures to take.
Security Staff Training
Ensure your security staff is up to date with their training and accreditations. Security threats are constantly evolving, and your security personnel should be educated on the latest dangers, mitigation techniques, and rapid response solutions. If you don’t already, cultivate a cybersecurity culture within your company to use every employee as a watchdog for the entire enterprise. Your employees can be your first line of defense.
Cybersecurity Protocols
Take an inventory of your cybersecurity protocols and ask yourself these questions:
- What data/equipment is vulnerable?
- How are we securing it?
- How do we react to a threat?
- What solutions are in place to deal with ransomware or other breaches?
- What preventative measures do we have in place?
You might consider hiring a security company to help determine where gaps in your security reside and how to patch them.
Hardware/Software Updated
Update your security technology, including cameras, software, IoT devices, alarm systems, etc., with the latest security software and any patches. Often these devices require a firmware update to secure any vulnerabilities.
Be sure to update all mobile devices and computers with the latest software updates.
Security Audit
Your corporate data is essential to doing business. You might want to consider conducting a security audit to tighten control over sensitive or personal data that criminals could copy or steal. Implement new access control policies using a “need to know only” basis.
Secure Doors and Install Alarms
Be sure all your entrances and exits have the proper security in place, including alarms. Windows and doors should all have sensors to alert security personnel if anyone opens them after hours. Consider installing smart cards or biometric scanners to allow authorized people to enter the building.
Lighting
Evaluate the lighting in all areas of your facility. If there are any dark zones, install good lighting to illuminate them. Criminals tend to work best in the dark. Eliminate dark areas to reduce the threat.
Communication Systems
As you examine all aspects of your security system, check out your communications equipment and response strategy. When something happens, or an alarm goes off, who gets notified? Do you have redundant systems if someone cuts off your primary line of communication? These issues should be addressed now.
Document Disposal
Reevaluate your document disposal procedure. Documents with sensitive information on them should be shredded and discarded. If you keep unnecessary records long after their useful purpose, they could be accessed by someone and used for identity theft or fraud.
Turn to the Security Professionals
Contact DMAC Security to learn more about securing your organization against physical, online, or other threats.
