Putting security worries for local businesses to rest
Plymouth is a great place to live and it has a vibrant and healthy business scene. From restaurants serving tasty food on Southside Street to the many local companies in the Armada Shopping Centre, it is a real hub of enterprise and industry for the whole Devon region. As a result, it is now home to a wide variety of local businesses, all looking to appeal to the many residents and visitors who come to the city each year.
Of course, if you are a business owner in Plymouth, then you may have some specific security worries that keep you awake at night. While you need to be aware of everything that may affect your business, most of the security concerns you have can be put to rest quite easily. The reality is that Plymouth is a peaceful place where you are unlikely to experience any trouble related to your premises.
But what are the security issues you may be worried about and how can you put your mind at rest?
Common security worries for local Plymouth businesses
Whether you are based in the town centre or further out at Drake Mill Business Park, the below are some of the most common security concerns you may need putting to rest:
Faulty doors
This is perhaps the most common issue for security you may face at some point. A faulty or broken door can make your premises insecure and more easily accessible to intruders. Also, it could pose a health risk for staff or customers which needs addressing. Naturally, the best solution to this problem is to get the offending door repaired as soon as possible to make your business premises secure again.
Door repairs should always be carried out by a qualified company with a team of trained engineers to fix the problem. That will ensure that the repair is not only completed to the highest standards but will also last a long time. Once done, you can tick this security worry off your to-do-list!
Vandalism
Another widespread worry for many local businesses is vandalism. This could be at any time in the day but it usually occurs after business hours. The late evenings are usually the time for this type of unlawful activity. Although it can happen anywhere, very often isolated businesses or those in quiet business parks are most at risk. As well as the cost of repairing any damage, there is also the hassle of finding someone to do the remedial work quickly and efficiently.
There are a couple of solutions to this that will put your mind at rest. The first is to employ a security firm in the Plymouth area to conduct a regular patrol where your premises are located. As well as this, you could also install a CCTV system to help you identify any suspicious activity and deter the people doing it.
Cybersecurity
This is one of the newer security concerns many local businesses will have. Cybersecurity is now a huge issue for all businesses in the Devon area. As hackers become more sophisticated and more business is done online, the need to protect your network and any sensitive data you hold on it is paramount.
The key here is keeping a constant check on your IT set-up to make sure it is robust and strong against malicious attacks. This will help you to keep an eye on your network and make sure all the necessary protections are in place to keep it secure. If you are not an IT whizz, you should consider employing an IT manager to do this or outsource it to an external IT provider.
Burglary
Of course, break-ins where the intention is to steal from your business is always a concern. Whether it is valuables you lock away in a safe each night or stock in your storeroom, burglary is a menace. Luckily there are a range of options here to help prevent it. Make sure you lock up all windows and doors each night along with making sure the locks you use are tough. A good quality burglar alarm is also recommended for business as this will deter a lot of would-be intruders. If a break-in does occur, then you need to contact the local Plymouth Police immediately.
Violent customers
Another security issue you or your staff may worry about is customers who turn violent. That could be someone who is not happy with the service they have received or has a financial dispute with your organisation. To help prevent this, try to calm the situation down and not inflame it any further. You can still be assertive in this but in a way that does not make them worse. Often, informing them that you will not deal with them until they calm down is enough. If they do not respond to this, then you should call any on-site security you may have or the police.
Terrorist attacks
Along with cybersecurity, this is a more recent concern for local businesses. In truth, this is very unlikely to happen to your business but with the recent UK based attacks, you may still worry about it. The best advice here is to keep a close eye out around your premises for any unusual activity that causes concern. If you do have a genuine worry about a suspicious person then give the Police a call.
No need to worry for Plymouth businesses
While the above security concerns may sound alarming, local businesses in Plymouth should not be too concerned. Plymouth is a very safe place to live and you will probably never have to deal with anything too trying when providing a service in the city. However, it is always worth being aware of the most common worries you could have and how to deal with them, so you can sleep a little easier at night. After all, there is enough to do when running a business without having any extra issues to fret over!
