When it comes to running a small business, choosing to work from home comes with a number of benefits. You save time on the daily commutes, you can wear whatever you want to, and you can mold your schedule around family life. There are also several ways to cut costs and improve the overall efficiency of your company. All that being said, running a home business does have its drawbacks, with one of the most significant being the security risks. To keep your home, family, and business safe, here are eight essential security measures you should take.
1. Install Professional Security Equipment
Every home can benefit from professional security equipment, but when it comes to protecting your livelihood, as well as your personal property, you need to take extra care. You should consider installing surveillance cameras around your home, as well as a simple intercom system so that you can communicate with any clients who may come to the door. It’s beneficial to have remote access control over this equipment, so you’re in control even when away.
2. Hide Your Home Address
Although you run your business from home, you should avoid advertising your personal address as your company premises. This just informs criminals that you likely have expensive equipment and products inside your property, turning yourself into a target. With that in mind, you should instead open a PO box or pay for a virtual address. This keeps your personal property a secret and also makes your business appear more professional to others.
3. Lock Down Your Network
When you conduct most of your work online, your wifi network acts as a doorway to all sorts of confidential information. It can also make your property vulnerable to a break in if you use home automation to handle your security. Because of this, you should ensure that you secure your wireless router and hide your home network. You must also create strong and complicated passwords for your devices and install anti-malware and antivirus software.
4. Eliminate Possible Entry Points
Doors and windows are the most common entry points burglars use, so it’s crucial that yours are as secure as they can be. Old and low-quality locks are no problem for modern-day criminals, so you should consider replacing old doors and windows or add extra protections. You may even want to invest in high-quality French patio doors. Standard doors aren’t always at preferred security levels, but, with multiple locking options, patio doors offer more peace of mind.
5. Store Your Valuables Safely
As well as your personal valuables, your home is going to have a number of other important and expensive items within in, like products, office equipment, and confidential documents. To keep these things protected, you may want to invest in an office safe. This should be big enough to store the things you need, but small enough that it can be hidden and won’t stand out. For items that you can’t put away, like computers, you could try securing them to the desk or wall.
6. Know Your Team Well
Whether you run a home business or not, every entrepreneur needs help now and then. For this reason, you may have bought on employees who you allow to come into your home and work with you. It’s crucial that you get to know these team members well before you invite them into your personal space. You should also ask for and check their references before you hire them. After all, you won’t know why they left their previous employment until you do.
7. Buy The Right Cover
Unbeknownst to many, home-based businesses are rarely covered by homeowners insurance. This means that, if a burglar broke into your home and stole expensive equipment, tools, and products from your business, you probably wouldn't be protected. For this reason, you should contact your insurance provider and check whether or not your policy covers your business too. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to shop around for the best cover.
8. Upgrade Security Measures Regularly
Just like the business world, the crime world is constantly changing and evolving. Every day, criminals find new and more sophisticated ways to commit their burglaries and other crimes. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure that your security measures always match up by upgrading them regularly. Ensure you do this at least once a year and contact professionals if you need any help or advice.
If you want to keep your home and business from becoming a target to criminals, you should ensure you take precautions and consider the security measures listed above.
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