Whether you are opening the doors on a brand new startup or shepherding a business that has been around for decades in San Francisco, CA, you need to take the physical and data security of the operation seriously. The threats have never been greater, and the stakes have never been higher. A single data breach could destroy the reputation of your San Francisco business, while even a small-scale theft of intellectual property could leave your firm vulnerable for years to come.

The physical security of your business is just as important. A stolen laptop could reveal all kinds of insider data and customer information, while the theft of inventory could cost your company tens of thousands of dollars.

No matter what type of business you own or how long you have been operating in San Francisco, CA, the time to address your security risks is right now. Here are some key things you need to look at to keep your business, your workers and your intellectual and physical property protected.

Secure all Entrances

Physical security is an essential first step to keeping your business safe. Having secure locks on all entrance doors and making sure everything is property locked down is arguably the best way to keep your company safe from thieves.

Many San Francisco businesses are taking the physical security of their businesses one step further and installing key card systems. These key card systems are designed to read pass cards and only admit individuals with the proper access. Whether used on their own or in conjunction with traditional door locks and timed entry systems, these key card solutions can be very effective security measures.

Lock Down Your Network

Not all theft happens through physical access to the building. An unsecured network is like an open door - one that thieves will be happy to walk through.

If you have not yet secured your network, it is important to do so without delay. That means assigning unique and hard to guess passwords on your wireless router, firewall, company servers and individual computers.

You can further secure the company network by setting a strict password policy and requiring workers to change their passwords frequently. Setting a minimum password length of 10-12 alphanumeric and special characters and making employees change their passcodes every 30-45 days is one of the best ways to keep your network safe from hackers and other intruders.

Use Surveillance Cameras

Installing surveillance cameras can help you in a number of ways. For one thing, having a security camera at every entrance can deter thieves and make identification easier in the event of an attempted break-in in San Francisco, CA.

In addition to securing the building from outside intruders, a robust surveillance system can deter employee theft and keep workers honest. Some business owners choose to install surveillance cameras at strategic points inside the building to deter insider theft and provide an extra layer of protection for their physical and intellectual property.

Create a Timed Entry System

If you choose to adopt a key card system instead of traditional locks, you can further secure your business and your intellectual property by developing a timed entry system from employees. This simple step will help secure your business from insider theft and make tracking down the perpetrators easier should an after-hours robbery occur.

Developing a timed entry system is easy, especially with modern key card systems. All you need to do is divide the staff into job categories and assign each job category its own access hours. For instance, the senior staff and IT personnel could be given 24-hour access, since they may have to respond to emergencies or perform system upgrades on the weekend. At the same time, customer service personnel could be given more restricted hours, perhaps an hour before to an hour after their normal working hours.

Protecting your business in San Francisco, CA from common threats like data breaches, break-ins and employee theft has never been more important. Taking the steps outlined above can help you protect your investment and make sure you do not fall victim to any of these crimes.