One of the harsh realities of life is that while we live in a good world with many good people, there is more than a fair share of bad circumstances and people as well. While no one is in a rush to return to the Stone Age, people and businesses face more threats today than in any other period in recorded history.
If you’re a small business owner, then it’s imperative that you prepare your business for the worst as well as put in place a safety infrastructure to protect your customers. Continue reading to get some tips that can help you keep your business and your customers safe.
Upgrade your surveillance system.
Even though criminals have gotten smarter with the times, so have surveillance systems. If you don’t have surveillance cameras installed throughout your business–or if you have old, out of date ones–then it’s time for you to upgrade your security cameras.
For your surveillance camera needs, take your business to an enterprise-level surveillance company like Verkada. A home security system isn’t sufficient for your business. Enterprise-level security cameras come in various, inconspicuous styles like bullet cameras and dome surveillance cameras that don’t stand out like a sore thumb. The less noticeable your cameras are, then the less likely thieves are to put the slip on your surveillance system.
If you have an ATM in your establishment, then you need to make sure that you protect your patrons from card scams and ATM skimmers. One way that people steal card data by putting a skimming device on an ATM machine and using it to duplicate cards and steal pin numbers.
With there being so many types of ATM fraud and credit card scams, it’s paramount that you take precautions to protect your patrons from cons. One of the best ways to prevent credit card scams and ATM skimming is to install a hidden camera around your ATM as well as at the register. Even if you can’t stop all fraudsters, you’ll be in a better position to catch them in the act.
Protect data at all costs.
In business, the most valuable resource is information. Ironically, information is also the most valuable resource for cyber criminals as well. If you don’t have a viable cyber security infrastructure, then your business could be vulnerable to a crippling attack.
If you pay attention to financial and business news, then you’ve probably heard or read the horror stories of big companies being taken for millions by hackers. The worst part about cyber crimes like those is that it’s the customers who always pay.
When cyber criminals attack a business, they don’t just go for the company–they steal and use the information of the customers as well. One of the last things you want as a business owner is for customers to have their valuable information stolen from your website.
One of the best ways to protect your business from cyber crime is to encrypt all of your important business and customer data. Even if you encrypt all of your important data, your system could fall prey to ransomware.
Ransomware differs from other malware in that it doesn’t steal information, but it locks you out of your system, and you don’t get back control of it until you pay the ransom. Backing up your data regularly is a safeguard against having to pay a fraudster to get all of your data back.
Insure your business.
One of the best ways to protect your business is to get insurance coverage for all of life’s possibilities. You may already have insurance on your property, but do you have coverage for injury claims from customers?
If you don’t have basic public liability insurance, then a slip and fall in your establishment could be a devastating blow to your business. It’s imperative that you prepare your business to be able to sustain all of the possible catastrophes it could encounter.