Physical security can pose a huge risk to your organisation whether your employees work from home or in the office.
Physical security entails measures to prevent unauthorised access to facilities, people, and assets.
1. Access controlAccess control regulates who can access certain areas or resources, such as buildings, rooms, storage rooms, files, and data.
2. Permanent active surveillance - This involves having protection in place to detect suspicious activity, like burglar alarms, guards, CCTV, or biometric surveillance.
3. Physical security testing - Regular tests and monitoring should be carried out to test the effectiveness of the surveillance measures implemented to protect against unauthorised access.
4. Implement a clear desk policy - Establishing a clear desk policy in the workplace has its advantages. This encourages employees to use digital documents, which promotes physical security and sustainable practices. In addition, having a clean and organised workspace increases productivity and reduces the risk of employees leaving sensitive data and information unprotected.
5. Storing passwordsTo ensure the security of sensitive information, refrain from writing passwords or other sensitive information in areas where they can be easily seen or accessed by others. For example, though often overlooked, writing passwords on post-it notes and sticking them on your desk poses a massive security risk to your organisation. Also, writing wifi passwords on whiteboards or in the public office spaces should be advised against to prevent unauthorised system access. Instead, use a safe password management tool to manage your passwords securely.
6. Placement in the office It's important to carefully consider the environment in which you choose to work, whether it's at home, in an office, or elsewhere. For offices located in buildings where employees frequently handle sensitive information, it's best to strategically plan out seating arrangements to prevent employees from unknowingly exposing their screens to outsiders.
7. Encourage a lock screen policy - To ensure compliance with security protocols, encourage employees to follow best practices and lock their screens when stepping away from their desks. Leaving screens open and unprotected can increase the risk of insider threats initiated by a disgruntled employee or staff member.
8. Tailgating is a social engineering attack where an unauthorised personnel follows an authorised person to gain physical access to a secure area. Organisations susceptible to these attacks often have numerous employees moving in and out of an office space. To protect against tailgating, physical limits should be implemented to secure office locations. This can involve requiring an employee pass or a biometrics check to access office buildings and restricted areas.
9. Where this is not an option, opt for a security system requiring a code to access your office space. Even then, the code should only be provided to employees who need access to the premises. Policies should be implemented to change the code as often as an employee leaves the organisation.
Taking precautionary measures to enhance your physical security can protect you, your employees, and the wider organisation. These comprehensive security awareness tips will enhance your ability to ensure your safety.
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