YOURSELF, YOUR COLLEAGUES, YOUR WORKPLACE

Today, security in the workplace means more than just making certain that all the doors are locked. While personal security must always be a priority, there are other areas of your business that are also vulnerable. Identity theft and computer viruses should also be considered and guarded against. To help you create a more secure work environment, we encourage you to consider the following.

The Proper ID Can Help Safeguard You, Your Employees And Your Property.

Chances are, there are a lot of people coming and going in your business. With vendors, delivery people, sales calls, and visitors, it can be hard to keep track of all of them - but it's important that you do.

Making people sign in and out is a good start. Another good idea is to use photo ID badges. You don't need to be part of a large company to employ this essential technology. Today, manufacturers offer economical photo ID systems that include the software and hardware you need, and can work with your PC and laser printer.

You Can Lose A Lot More Than Money With Identity Theft.

Think about all the documents you use and store in your business - personnel files, tax documents, financial statements, bank records. To an identity thief, this information is priceless.

It's a "numbers" game. With the right account, credit card, social security, or driver's license number, a thief cannot only steal from you, but destroy your credit history and force you to spend countless hours trying to restore your - or your company's - credit and reputation.

To fight identity theft, don't just throw away documents: shred them. There is a wide variety of shredders on the market and anyone who deals in sensitive information should have a shredder by his or her desk. It's also a good idea to have shredders located near copy machines and printers.

For sensitive information that you must keep at hand, keep it locked up. Make certain that employees have lockable files - and be sure to limit access to those keys. And, if someone calls asking for personal information, think twice before giving out any numbers over the phone.

When It Comes To Computer Viruses, Prevention Is The Best Cure.

The problem is so bad that the security industry has coined a new term for it - "malware." It stands for malicious software and is defined as any software specifically designed to damage or disrupt a system. This can include viruses, Trojan horses and worms. And, all of these can pose a serious risk to your business.

A dangerous virus can disable your hardware, corrupt your data, delete files, steal information, and prevent you from accessing the information on your computer.

It's a global problem, but it can be stopped. Here's how: do not open any files attached to e-mails sent by unknown sources... delete chain e-mails and junk e-mail... only download Internet files from reputable sources... install anti-virus software and update it regularly... and always back-up your data as frequently as possible.

The key to security in the workplace is to make it clear that security is everyone's business. And, when it comes to finding the security tools you need, we're ready to help.