Troubleshooting guide to minimise the risk of business disasters
Businesses face risks all the time, but too few business owners really take the time to develop strategies that can help to cope in the face of the even the most disruptive disaster. It’s great to sit and imagine the good things that might happen to your business, but all of the positive thinking in the world is not going to help should the worst happen. The chances are that you have given some fleeting thought to worst case scenarios, but it’s time to sit down and develop some disaster management strategies that will help you to react quickly and minimise the risk of long-term disruption in the face of even the most potentially damaging scenarios.
Cybercrime checklist
Having a cybercriminal hack into your system can be damaging in a number of ways, and it’s never been more important that you optimise your online security to the max. Hackers are not simply looking for bank account details, they’re also looking for personal details as well, and that can be those of you, your employees or even your customers. It is your duty to protect them, and your cybersecurity needs to be robust and regularly updated to ensure that it offers the best protection. Look for advice when it comes to the best ways to create a safe online workspace, and have a checklist that can guide you in the event of the worst-case scenario. If your systems are hacked, not only do you have certain moral responsibilities, but you also have legal ones as well, and not having a clear strategy in place can make a system breach much more damaging.
Prepare for anything
It’s very difficult to prepare for a natural disaster that can strike at any time. From floods to fires and beyond, your plans to cope in the event of a damaging natural disaster will depend largely on your location and the inherent risks of your local geography. However, even burst pipes can strike at any time, so prepare wisely by making sure that you have the contact details of emergency tradespeople who can help you to shorten the length of time that your business is unable to function. For many businesses, even losing electricity for a short period of time can be an issue, and you can minimise potential disruptions by installing ATS Panels that can detect electricity loss and make a changeover to your backup generator to provide a seamless transition between power sources. For those with customer-facing premises or heavily automated manufacturing plants, having power is essential, so make sure that your business is able to cope at all times, no matter what mother nature throws your way.
Offline Crime
With so much media coverage of cybercrime, it can be easy to forget about the fact that offline crime is still an ongoing business concern. From customers trying to pocket your stock, to malicious staff who are boosting their wages with fingers in the till business owners need to be aware of the potential risks in the workplace. Although it’s next to impossible to make sure that your business is 100% safe at all times, there are some key steps that you can take to help. Your first priority should be making sure that you hire the right staff. There are a number of warning signs to look for when looking at CVs, like prolonged employment gaps that can’t be explained, or too many jobs in too short a time. Make sure that you check all of your references, and don’t put too much stock in personal ones. For especially sensitive business sectors, consider making use of CCTV in particularly vulnerable areas such as tills and stockrooms, and you’ll not only reduce risk but also have vital evidence should the worst happen.
No two businesses are the same, and neither are the risks that they face. That’s why you should always start your disaster management strategy planning with a safety audit that can highlight the potential risks. Knowing where you’re vulnerable will give you a much greater chance of making the right decisions when it comes to dealing with disasters in the best way.
