Top 5 Physical Security Products Every Business Needs
We asked some friends what they thought of when we mentioned physical security products. Every answer was a security camera followed by some debate about whether antivirus software counted as physical if it was installed from a disc. In any case it was very clear that a lot of people are blissfully unaware of measures that can be taken.
In our other post we discuss How to Protect your business against common IT Threats and how businesses are more exposed than ever to cyber threats and data breaches. But, to secure your organisation, it’s necessary to keep in mind that physical security is equally as critical as digital security.
We’ve chosen what we think are the top five physical security products every business should consider. With budget and ease of implementation in mind, we believe these products provide critical layers of protection against unauthorised access.
Biometric Access Control
Biometric access control is already a reality; it’s not just in spy movies any more. Not only is it incredibly efficient but it’s also less expensive than you might anticipate. The way they operate is by employing distinctive biological traits, such fingerprints or facial recognition, to confirm the identification of anyone attempting to enter the building or location. You might want to implement access controls for certain parts of your building as well as the entrance. For example a server room or a place where confidential data is stored.
Security Cameras
The most easily recognisable of the physical security products for sure, cameras are a must for monitoring your business. They can be installed in both indoor and outdoor spaces to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. They serve as a deterrent to potential trespassers and can offer important proof in the event of a break-in or even the attempt of one.
We recommend that you store the recorded data on a secure, offsite location such as a cloud-based storage service. This ensures the footage is protected in the event of a physical breach or damage to the on-premise recording equipment.
Cloud-based storage also offers the benefit of easy access. Authorised personnel can view the footage remotely from any device with internet access. All types of businesses make use of cameras, back in England we installed a set up on an equestrian yard. Cameras can be as overt or discrete as you like, in this case they were large and white so they were a deterrent as the first line of defence. Being able to view every corner of his property while he was out gave the owner great peace of mind.
It’s important to ensure that any cloud storage provider you choose has appropriate security measures to protect the stored data. Such as:
- Encryption
- Access controls
- Regular backups
Additionally, it’s crucial to establish clear policies and procedures for accessing and managing the recorded data, and to regularly test the backup and recovery processes to ensure they are functioning properly.
Asset Tracking Tags
Your equipment, such as laptops, servers, and printers, can be fitted with this tiny gadget. Apple has been in the media a lot recently with stories of travellers being able to track their luggage all over the world by the airtag they stuck inside their bag, but there are dozens of these things on the market. We might offer an extensive review in future, but in the meantime, here are a few that we rate;
They give you the ability to track the whereabouts of your assets in real-time, which can aid in finding lost or stolen equipment. Although we must advise you to exercise caution in retrieving your property and consider asking the authorities to help.
Cable Locks
The best low cost approach to secure your equipment, especially laptops and desktop PCs, is with cable locks. As security products go, cable locks are the quickest fix. You can wrap the cable around a stationary object, such as a desk, and secure it to your equipment using the lock. For this reason, the majority of laptops have a port that was expressly created. If you’re not sure what it looks like here’s an example, as well as a low cost business laptop with this feature.
Kensington is a well-known brand that offers equipment for this area. They make locks in different lengths and configurations, and they are typically made with strong materials, such as hardened steel, to resist tampering and cutting.
UPS Systems
People often overlook uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as part of security. Configured correctly, this will enable your security systems to remain active in the event of a power outage. This ensures you still have visibility on a situation unfolding, whether it be a rolling power cut or a malicious one.
These systems provide backup power to your equipment in the event of outages and surge. They help prevent data loss and hardware damage that can occur as a result of sudden power interruptions.
Conclusion
As always the best method to protect data and enforce security is depth and layers. There is no one way to ensure data integrity and security, but by implementing a broad range of measures and security products it removes your business from the scope of opportunistic bad actors and serves as a great deterrent to anyone that would consider trying to compromise your assets.
