Reduce business disruption by investing in the right security

If there’s one thing you learn in business, it’s that the unexpected can and will happen, so it always pays to be prepared.

Any amount of service disruption can be bad for business, not only financially but for the company’s reputation, which is why having a robust commercial security strategy in place to help reduce the risk of problems and aid business continuity, is vital.

Such plans can help to minimise potential downtime, maintain critical functions, and reduce financial losses during unexpected events. In addition, taking all steps necessary to reduce the chance of problems occurring by investing in the right security measures and support can be a game changer.

Here we’ve taken a closer look at the impact of disruption and how commercial security can help lessen the blow, along with some examples from our own team of times when we have helped manage a negative situation.

 

What can cause business downtime?

Business disruption can take many different shapes and forms, ranging from minor inconveniences through to severe crises. The cause may be driven by either internal or external factors.

Typical reasons for business disruption might include:

  • A break-in / theft
  • Property and asset damage
  • Equipment failure
  • Accident or injury
  • A cyber attack
  • Human error
  • Freak weather event
  • Supply chain failure
  • Trespassing
  • Strikes / activism

  

What is the impact of business disruption?

Regardless of their scale, disruptions can have a significant impact on any business’ bottom line. You might experience:

  • Financial loss: Disruptions can result in financial losses due to interrupted sales, damaged property, and increased operating costs.

 

  • Damage to reputation: Business disruptions can damage your reputation with customers, partners, and stakeholders, which can be challenging to recover from.

 

  • Operational inefficiency: Disruptions can lead to inefficiencies in your operations, causing delays, missed deadlines, and decreased productivity.

 

  • Legal and compliance implications: Failure to adequately address security concerns can lead to legal issues and non-compliance with regulations.

 

 

How can commercial security help prevent business disruption?

 

  1. Physical security

Implementing physical security measures such as access control systems, boundary fencing, improved lighting, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems can help reduce unauthorised access and protect premises from theft, vandalism, and other threats.

 

  1. Employee safety

A safe working environment is essential for employees. Commercial security measures, such as panic buttons and emergency response plans, can help protect staff in case of emergencies. Removing lone working obligations by having a professional security officer lock and unlock and respond to alarms at the facility will go a long way to protecting your team.

 

  1. Monitoring and response

Security systems with 24/7 monitoring allow for immediate response to security breaches or incidents, minimising potential damage and disruption. While having a security officer on site, either as a static guard or conducting regular mobile patrols, can help spot potential problems before they have chance to escalate.

 

  1. Visitor management

Properly managing and vetting visitors to your business can prevent security breaches and disruptions caused by unauthorised individuals. This combined with a professional, security-trained receptionist can massively improve visitor management to your facility.

 

  1. Data protection

In today's digital age, protecting sensitive data and information is crucial. Your commercial security plans should also include comprehensive cybersecurity measures that will work in tandem with your physical security to safeguard your digital assets from breaches and data theft. Aside from using up to date software, it is so important your team are trained to recognise and avoid falling for online attempts to breach your data.

 

The Venture Security team in action

As a commercial security provider, who has been supporting businesses across the region for almost 20 years, here at Venture we have been party to many unexpected events over the years. Here are two examples of how our team was able to reduce the negative impact of an incident:

 

Burst pipes

When our mobile patrol officer, Otis, discovered that a pipe had burst in a customer’s warehouse, he didn’t hesitate in taking action. By the time employees were alerted and arrived on site, he had shut down the supply to the affected area and moved stock, helping to limit any potential damage. His actions and ongoing help that evening meant there were no product losses as a result of the flood and his proactive attitude was highly praised by the team.

Had the company not invested in nightly mobile patrols, it is unlikely the leak would have been found until the morning, leading to extensive damage and disruption.

 

“When a pipe burst flooding part of the factory, Venture’s officer had already moved stock and started containing the damage by the time I got to site. His actions and ongoing help meant we experienced no product losses.”

 

Unwanted visitors on site

When a group of travellers pitched up on a customer’s site with 10 wagons, we were the first to get a call. Our team was on site in under an hour, providing a visible security presence and reassurance to staff. We were able to liaise with the travellers to negotiate their successful exit from the property, which we managed to achieve the very same day.

We then worked with the customer to introduce measures that would prevent this issue happening in the future. Barriers were subsequently put in place and weekend patrols carried out, with additional checks taking place during holiday closedowns.

 

“Venture was just fantastic and the role they played in helping to relieve this situation was invaluable. I was so impressed with how professional and responsive they were. They bent over backwards to support us. It was an emergency situation but shows why the support of an experienced, reliable and trustworthy security provider is so important.”

 

In summary

Commercial security is not just about protecting assets; it's about safeguarding the continuity of the business. By investing in comprehensive security measures and strategies - and working with a security provider you can trust to deliver on their promises - you can significantly reduce the risk of disruptions that could harm your operations, reputation, and finances.

Prioritising commercial security is a proactive step towards ensuring the long-term success and stability of your business. Remember, when it comes to business continuity, prevention is key, and commercial security is your first line of defence against disruption.

Find out more about our range of award-winning security services and how they can support business continuity at your company, by calling 01264 391 538 or emailing [email protected]

 

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