While smart technology and automation are extremely useful to protect businesses, we cannot forget the role of employees. They are often the first line of defense and training your staff on security best practices is critical for protecting your business and their safety.
Education is Always Key: General Knowledge
Host staff development trainings to educate employees on identifying and reporting suspicious activity promptly and safely. Make it fun but thorough by using real scenarios or even role-playing. Educate employees on trending scams and persons of suspicion. Make a way for new employees to be onboarded quickly so everyone understands the internal security protocols. A well-trained employee is a huge asset in business security.
Ongoing Trainings: Getting Specific
Once employees have some foundational and general safety knowledge, expand your trainings to include other topics such as protecting areas of the business with access control, potential data breaches, and even protecting equipment. Make sure employees understand that keycards and badges are for everyone’s protection and should never be shared. Stress the importance of following security protocols and locking up sensitive documents and equipment when not in use.
Reporting and Protocols: Establishing a Clear Response Plan
Once something has happened, what do employees do next? Make sure the company provides clear information on the steps to take and how your reporting structure should operate. Cover topics such as how to respond to security breaches, reporting hierarchy and structures as well as follow-up.
Reinforcing: Quality Checks
Have a method of assessing knowledge base regularly with employees. Does everyone know what to do in case of a fire? What is the first thing an employee does after a security breach? What steps are involved with an onsite injury? These don’t have to be painful check-ins. Maybe hosting a security question of the week with prizes and quick refreshers. Remember this is even more about your employee’s safety at work.
From start to finish employees should know how to recognize, respond, report, and close out any incidents that occur in your business. Hosting a series of specific trainings, onboarding new employees quickly, and providing regular refresher training courses will keep your employees sharp and safe while at work.