As you may have guessed, Sapphire Risk has been very busy helping business owners improve their current security programs at their location during these difficult times. Many owners have called us asking for advice on how to purchase better safes, locks, and alarm systems to protect themselves and their businesses through emergency planning for Coronavirus.
Almost every industry, including cannabis, jewelry, and pawn, have been impacted by this global virus. Just like any other manmade or natural disaster, you really can’t improve your security program too much during the disaster. This is why being proactive, rather than reactive, is so important when designing your security program.
Below are a few suggestions that could better protect your business, employees, and assets:
- Order a new safe or upgrade your physical security, i.e. alarms, video surveillance, or access control systems. While it is beneficial to do this prior to a disaster, security changes made now will better protect your business immediately and prepare you for the future.
- Verify that your alarm system is pinging with your alarm monitoring company. Pinging means your business’ alarm system sends a signal every few minutes to inform the alarm monitoring company that your system is working. This will ensure your alarm system is always operational.
- Keep cash levels as low as possible at your location and allow electronic payment where legal. Banks are and will remain safe and your business should continue to use them.
- At the end of the business day, store all valuable merchandise and sensitive documents in your safe. Use your safe as your “lifeboat.” Most people cannot break into a safe, and even a weak safe, like a gun safe, can withstand an attack. Use your safe!
- Now is a good time to review your emergency preparedness policies and procedures. Ensure you have plans in case someone gets hurt or sick, your facility endures a robbery or theft attempt, etc.
- DO NOT stay in your store at night to protect it. Money and merchandise can be replaced… You can’t. This is why you and your business have insurance.
These are just a few suggestions on how to better protect your business during these difficult times. I also suggest you review OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.
Please contact us if you have any security questions. We are here for you!
Be safe and be profitable