Guest Contribution by Sherryn de Vos

When tech executives hear the word security nowadays, the first thought that crosses their mind is likely of digital security because digital threats constantly emerge as technology continues to progress with the speed of light.

Generally, tech companies sell their products and services worldwide, so they have to meet national and international regulations related to handling data safely and reacting to various breaches and threats responsibly.

And today’s tech companies progressively host all of their data and sensitive information in the cloud, so it makes perfect sense that physical security is getting more or less neglected in favor of its digital counterpart.

Make no mistake, though; physical security is as important as ever! Despite everything, the digital assets of tech companies are still vulnerable to on-site threats. In some instances, it may be easier for criminals to walk through your company’s front door and thieve data directly off of your company’s hardware than to hack it remotely.

Securing your tech organization’s assets doesn’t inevitably demand extreme nor expensive measures. All it takes is a well-planned physical security strategy and employees prepared to prioritize various security protocols on an everyday basis.

Even the best antivirus software in the game won’t stop someone from breaking-in, or even worse, someone with authorized access to misuse their authority. That’s why physical security mustn’t be neglected in modern-day tech companies. Without the appropriate protection measures and strategies in place, your business is left vulnerable to physical threats.

Here Are The Top 5 Physical Security Measures That Every Business Should Implement

1. Secure Your Premises from the Outside In

   To secure your staff and company assets from the threats of outside intrusions, start by securing your premises from the outside in. While many factors play into the type of exterior security measures you may need, the assets you hold and the level of criminality in the area remain the top two factors that need to be considered when developing a robust physical security strategy.

   One of the best security measures that any tech company can implement to fight unwanted intrusions is to issue a company ID badge for all staff and visitors. This simple step that can be set up in a day ensures that anyone who wants to get access to company premises needs to draw or swipe their ID badge for security purposes and cannot gain access to the facility without one.

   Your tech company should consider exterior fencing, license plate readers, emergency call boxes, outdoor lighting, signage, and security officers, among other security measures. Perhaps your business won’t require every one of these security measures, but you should most certainly take steps to secure your premises and perimeter from outside intruders.

2. Embrace Modern Surveillance Methods

   Surveillance is a strong deterrent against criminal activity on business properties of any kind, and the same goes for tech companies’ headquarters and offices. The best option here is to go with some form of closed-circuit television (CCTV).

   While regular cameras can provide evidence of criminal activity to catch the wrongdoers, CCTV can deter the intruders as well. Put clear signage in place, so individuals will know that they are on camera and not consider any wrongdoing while on your company’s property.

   Another surveillance option that goes well altogether with CCTV is round-the-clock surveillance from a professional security firm. If security officers might be too expensive for your tech startup, discuss the potential to share a security patrol officer with other local businesses or companies that use the same premises, and spread the cost.

3. Perform Regular Backups

   Backing up all vital data is a critical element in disaster recovery, but never forget that the information on those backup discs and hard drives can also be stolen and used by someone employed in the company or an outsider.

   While many IT managers keep the business’s backups next to the server in the server room, be smarter and lock them up in a safe or a drawer where only a number of people can gain access.

   Besides, keep a set of reserves off the site and ensure they are appropriately secured in the offsite location. Besides backups, train the staff to embrace using the appropriate antivirus software while using the computer systems.

   If you allow your employees to back up their work on external hard drives and other devices, ensure to install company policies that require backups to be locked up at all times.

4. Robust Access Control

   The majority of tech companies usually allocate the operating space, and within the divisions of that working area, the sensitivity of data storage and access privileges differ. It’s imperative to realize and understand where the most secure areas need to be and how they will be protected.

   Acknowledging the business value associated with confidential information is a logical way of assuring appropriate investment in security. Still, despite putting various physical barriers in place, sometimes it can be tough to confirm who is and who’s not entering the space in question. Here are a few ways to ensure access control within your company:

   • Implement and ensure supervision requirements.
   • Perform identity checks to make sure those secure accessing spaces are who they expect to be.
   • Review the access log to have a list of people owing to access identities and evaluate the access list regularly.

5. Develop a Security Culture Within Your Company

   One of the fundamental things that you can do within your tech company to ensure physical security measures is to make your staff take security seriously. Whereas employees should never be encouraged to do check-ups on anyone, they can be a precious line of defense in terms of surveillance and general company security.

   Offer regular training sessions about the importance of proper security practice and educate them on the things they can do to help the company become more secure.

( Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Cloud Security Strategy )

Final Thoughts

Through its primary purpose to protect the facilities and belongings of the company, physical security has immense importance to every severe business organization. Nowadays, tech companies exclusively focus on the technical and administrative aspects of security but forget that all the firewalls, intrusion detectors, and other physical security measures would come of little to no use if someone breaks in the organization and gains access to essential data.

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Sherryn de Vos is living in the beautiful city of Cape Town. She worked with a startup brand that launched in South Africa called GoBeauty where she was assisted with content generation, as well as conceptualized events focused on women’s health, entrepreneurship, careers, and tech to run alongside the brand. She has extensive experience in writing and uses a lot of her practical experience to create useful content in the business, finance, and marketing world.