Modern Workplace Security Protects Personnel, Property and Information

When you think about office security, likely the first picture that comes to mind is a guard roaming the facility day and night. Or in a control room reviewing surveillance camera footage. Or perhaps the RFID employee badge you swipe to get into the facility.

While only large organizations could afford such measures, 71% of security breaches are aimed at small businesses. More importantly, these tactics only protect your physical premise, and not your more valuable assets - your people and your data.

In today's modern office, workplace security must protect not only your personnel and your equipment but also your valuable information. Here are four digital office tools to keep your business safe. 

Cloud-Based Monitoring

Modern workplace security has made great strides with cloud-based security systems that allow you to monitor your assets, 24/7, from any place in the world. Safeguarding you from malware, tracking who signs into your network, and monitoring your other cloud apps are just a few perks of this software category. Cloud-based security reduces human error by eliminating the need for IT and security teams. It can protect your data, scan for vulnerabilities, and keep you compliant, all while securing your intellectual property. Cloud-based security companies utilize biometric readers, motion sensors, and surveillance alarm systems to safeguard your personal data.

Digital Receptionist

Long gone is the era of the dedicated receptionist. And for those offices that appear to employ one, greeting guests is no longer their primary job. And clearly, an illegible paper sign-in sheet protects very little. Yet a visitor management system that tracks everyone who is coming and going is more important than ever.

The modern approach is a visitor check-in app. These iPad receptionists greet visitors and ask them to identify themselves, as well as their purpose and point of contact. The receptionist will then notify the appropriate employee. Digital receptionists collect and store guest information, including contact information, photos, and electronic signatures.

Visitor Badges

How can you tell if a visitor walking through your office has a legitimate reason for being there? Asking your employees to distinguish guests from trespassers is unfair. First, it's not always easy to do. Second, they should be focused on their core job, not backup security personnel.

While you don't want to allow a perpetrator to roam around, you also don't want to interrogate guests who have a valid reason for being there. Visitor badges eliminate all uncertainty. These digitally produced stickers display your visitor's name, photo, time and date, and the employee that is hosting their stay. This information is stored in your system and can't be tampered with, or hard to read, like handwritten name tags.

PTZ Surveillance Cameras

Pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras have revolutionized modern office security. These small wonders can replace multiple cameras with their rotating and zooming capabilities. The pan-tilt module allows you to control the viewing area remotely from anywhere in the world. With continuous 360 degrees rotation and rapid zoom speed, you can view a large landscape or zoom in on minute details in a split second. Many older surveillance systems only displayed split-screen stationary footage and often resulted in blind spots when cycling between cameras. But these cameras never miss a beat.

Summary

Workplace security is getting more complex. Instead of just focusing on your physical assets, your people and your data are also under constant threat of attack. Simultaneously, resources to do so are increasingly stretched thin trying to grow the business.

Fortunately, several cloud-based tools have brought the cost of monitoring your modern office more affordable. The tools are also easier to use so specialized personnel are not required.