Businesses operating in the modern world face security threats at every turn. Due to the ever-changing nature of technology, these threats can come from anywhere, reinforcing our belief in implementing physical security and protecting our people and system from theft or loss.
While preparing your company for cybersecurity threats is critical, physical security threats should not be overlooked. Having proper physical security methods in place can make a significant difference in the safety of your business and data.
A physical security risk assessment examines all aspects of your security system. A security professional conducts this evaluation, which includes an inventory of the assets to be protected as well as recommendations on how to best protect them. This is done on both a micro and macro scale, giving you the information you need to make better decisions about how to run your facility. In general, a physical security risk assessment is a procedure that entails conducting a thorough audit and analysing the results, and it applies to a structure’s entire physical security system. Physical security risk assessments are appropriate for almost any organisation, including schools, corporations, banks, sporting arenas, manufacturing plants, and commercial properties.
Physical security risk assessment benefits for businesses
Access Control
To keep your organisation safe, you must limit and control unauthorised people’s access to sites, facilities, and materials. Limiting access to specific assets will give the organisation more control and ensure a systematic approach. Most physical security systems focus on the main entry and exit points. Steel gates, fences, screening devices, and CCTVs can all serve as deterrents to potential intruders. A variety of modern access control technologies will assist you in selecting the best system for you.
Cloud-based security is preferred over on-premises control because it can be managed remotely. Aside from that, cloud-based control simplifies user data management and makes internal integration with security systems much easier.
Surveillance
Patrolling guards, CCTV, monitored alarms, video surveillance, infrared movement sensors, and tracking all movements are all part of surveillance. These surveillance devices are extremely useful in capturing criminal activity on your property. In addition, the presence of a CCTV or video surveillance system on a property can deter intrusion or squatting. With video surveillance, you will be able to view real-time footage, and if you witness a criminal event, the visual evidence will aid in identifying the criminal in court.
Testing
Plan rigorous fire drills to test all physical security challenges your business may face once the physical security system is in place. You must conduct security and emergency drills within your organisation and ensure that all physical security controls are accessible to the administration. Involve your employees in the discussion of physical security control procedures. This will provide you with a dual benefit: first, it will make your employees feel safer at work, and second, it will put a stop to any fraudulent practices observed in the office, knowing that a physical security system is in place.
Securing your business
Keep a device inventory
Mobile devices are increasingly being used in business transactions. While this is convenient, it also raises security concerns. Data breaches are frequently caused by the theft of devices such as laptops and servers.
Ascertain that you have a documented inventory of all devices that carry or can connect to card data. Your company should be aware of where these devices are, who owns them, and whether they can leave the premises. Card data storage should, as always, be encrypted.
This inventory will assist you in keeping track of your devices. If someone stole something, keeping an inventory can help you identify the stolen device, when it happened, the data that was stolen, and what actions should be taken next.
Restriction of access to areas containing sensitive information or equipment
Banks do not simply allow anyone to walk around their vaults.
This means that rooms containing card data should only be accessed by employees who require it.
Make certain that your employees only have access to the information that they require. Your marketing supervisor, for example, may not require access to card data. The majority of data is stored in data centres, so make sure you can trust your service providers before entrusting them with all of your data.
Create and document security policies
You’ll need to develop a set of policies for your employees to follow when it comes to physical security. This will protect against both intentional and unintentional data theft. Consider the following in your policies:
- When doors are locked, who has access to what?
- Which devices must always be kept on-site?
- Who is in charge of implementing security?
- Who has physical access to the CDE server hardware and network infrastructure?
- Policy on password changes
- Procedures for reporting a misplaced or stolen access card or badge
- Procedures for granting visitors access
It is critical to document these policies and procedures because having them on paper will answer any questions your employees may have and reduce liability if a breach occurs. You should also keep these policies up to date.
Employees must be trained
Policies and procedures will not help your business if your employees do not follow them. Human error is one of the leading causes of many data breaches. For card data to be stolen, all it takes is one employee forgetting to lock a door or a data centre cabinet, or allowing an unauthorised person into a restricted area.
Maintain consistent physical security training for your employees. Show examples of how policies and procedures should and should not be followed. Assist employees in understanding the risks and liabilities associated with noncompliance with company policy.
Training them only once when they join you and once a year is unlikely to suffice. Employees should be trained at least quarterly, if not monthly.
