Is your business as fully protected as you would like it to be?
For those running businesses with physical locations (office spaces etc.), keeping intruders out is a relatively easy task.
You have locks on the door, perhaps video cameras watching over your building, maybe even security guards. No matter what it takes to keep your office and workers safe, you’re willing to do it.
But what about those intruders you can’t see coming through your workplace doors? How do you keep them at arm’s length?
As all too many business owners have unfortunately discovered, identity theft thieves are a problem, a problem that has potential to cost those running companies major dollars. When you throw in the notion of upset customers, things can get out of hand rather quickly.
With that being the case, are identity theft thieves eyeing your business?
Take Steps to Protect Your Company
So that you can keep your business (and your employees) as safe as possible, are you covering the following bases?
- Physical safety – Going to and from work should not be a big deal, but some employees (depending on where the office is located) may feel threatened at times en route to and leaving the office. Do all you can to assure them that they have nothing to worry about during this part of their day. If your office is in a rough part of town, either look to hiring security and/or recommending workers travel in pairs or larger groups during the day or night;
- Identity theft – It is oftentimes the hidden dangers that can be the most damaging for a business owner. If online criminals are targeting your business, do not take the threat lightly. Just one successful identity theft attack against your brand has the potential to do major financial damage, along with the negative public relations fallout that would ensue. While online criminals are always looking for new ways to go about striking businesses (and consumers for that matter), you can lessen the odds you will be hit by making sure your online security software is as strong as it can be. One problem for business owners may be that they feel they are too busy to sort through the various security software programs on the market. As a result, they open themselves and their brand up to attack. One means to solve this part of the equation is by turning to services that review various security software programs. Whether you opt for an Identity Guard review or others on the market, the time spent doing so will prove well worth it. Once you have a security software program in place, make sure it is regularly updated;
- Employee awareness – Since your employees are the bread and butter of your organization, it is imperative that they are part of your front line of defense against criminal actions. Whether it is a customer trying to get away with something to damage your business or an employee trying to cheat the company, your employees’ eyes and ears always should be focused. Unfortunately, some employees have been known to (and were caught) commit identity theft against their employers and/or customers. You should always have a system of checks-and-balances in place to lessen the odds of this problem occurring in the first place. For example, having one employee in charge of the books (accounting etc.) may seem ideal, what if that person has some dishonest intentions in mind? Having another set of eyes to review the books etc. is certainly not a bad idea. In the event you catch one or more employees committing illegal acts against your business (stealing money, identity theft etc.), make sure they are not only susceptible to losing their jobs, but could also face legal action.
Whether the threats come from outside your business or ultimately prove to be inside jobs, you can’t put your brand at risk.
Do your best to limit the chances of one or more people taking your business to the cleaners.
Remember, it is not only the financial fallout that occurs from identity theft and/or employees stealing from you, but you also lose credibility among your customers when such acts take place.
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com
About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.