Managing an office doesn’t just mean keeping the staff productive and motivated, it also means caring for the physical premises too. 

A significant part of this task stems from security. The average office building is stocked with a variety of expensive technology and depending on the nature of the business, that equipment might contain valuable data.

Securing the premises doesn’t just protect productivity, it could also help to protect against legal action. But what reasonable steps might we take to keep an office secure? Let’s take a look.

Access Control Systems

Nowadays, office managers have access to an impressive range of access control systems. Rather than handing everyone a traditional key, which can be duplicated, you might make use of key cards and biometric devices.

There are several advantages to these systems. Firstly, it allows you to track who has been granted access and when. Secondly, it allows you to remove access privileges for a certain keycard or fingerprint. Thirdly, it removes the possibility that a key will be copied. After all, there’s no point in copying a keycard whose number no longer provides access. Modern access control systems use electronic switches, rather than mechanical rotors and bolts. As such, they tend to be more durable, too.

Install Security Cameras

Security cameras have been a mainstay of office buildings for decades. The difference today is that they’re extremely affordable and high-resolution. They offer a means of observing break-in events and deterring them too. If you need to prosecute, they can be a valuable source of evidence. But they can also allow you to observe staff and spot misbehaviour that occurs within the building.

Place your cameras in sensible locations, such that entrances, exits, and other key points. 

Reinforce Entry Points

Of course, the doors and windows themselves are an obvious point of security weakness. If they can be easily smashed down or levered apart, then they won’t present much of a barrier to would-be thieves and other intruders. Entranceways should be protected by strong locks, gates, and turnstiles to track who comes in and out. You might also install extra security points within the building to protect sensitive areas.

Train Your Team on Security

Good office security is often a matter of developing and instilling the right culture. Staff members should know the rules and stick to them, particularly in sensitive environments like banks. Everyone should be able to spot suspicious behaviour and report it.

In the modern era, many of the more concerning threats come not from the physical world but rather from the digital one. All staff should be aware of the threat posed by phishing and other forms of cyberattacks.