There’s so much to do when you start a new business, but it’s important to implement security measures from the start. Everything from Trojan viruses to opportunistic thieves can threaten your company, so here’s how to keep everything safe.

1. Asset tag your belongings

If you’re looking to protect your workplace with some added security measures, you may have considered looking at some of the security labels available from asset tags providers. It has to be said; these small adhesives can improve the health and safety of your premises significantly and will sit neatly on a whole range of valuable equipment. The idea is you buy them in bulk, label your gadgets and scan the serial number into an asset tag based inventory management system. This will help you keep track of all items and will allow you to report anything that’s lost or stolen.

2. Set up burglar alarms

According to the latest police figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the first time, thefts from homes and other businesses went up by five per cent between 2010 and 2011. As a result of these worrying crime rates, it’s wise to buy an array of burglar alarms and CCTV cameras that’ll deter intruders. Position them near alleyways, car parks and entry points and always report anything suspicious. If you decide to buy a dummy CCTV camera, ensure it’s got an LED flashing light and a sliding sunshield for added authenticity, so that nobody can tell it’s fake.

3. Hire a consultant

When it comes to protecting your IT equipment, it’s a good idea to hire a consultant who will be able to find the best security solution for your business. Look for a consulting group with a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CIISP) engineer and ensure they’ve a CompTIA Security+ Certification, as this proves they’re reputable. You’ll also need a company who provides antivirus installation and support, firewall installation, intrusion detection and security audits – so check which services they offer.

4. Back up data

As a new company owner, you must get into the habit of backing up your essential files, documents and confidential data. Losing client information or deleting spread sheets could prove disastrous, so burn information onto a CD-ROM, or save it to a second hard drive – and make sure your colleagues do the same. You can also copy crucial documents to a shared folder on your network (but make sure employees can’t see confidential facts and figures).
 
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5. Use the internet safely

A virus or a worm can cause serious damage to your computer, so browse the web sensibly. Don’t open unfamiliar emails and never download free screensavers from untrusted sites as these may contain malicious software. Start-up companies can be easily targeted by larger attacks (such as a mass worm break out) and can be easily hacked, so do all you can to keep your equipment clean and secure.

Starting a business is exciting! Now, do what you can to keep things safe. Hopefully the security measures mentioned above can do just that.

(Guest post from Matt Hornsby from whatishealthandsafety.co.uk)