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TOP SECURITY TIPS
Do IT Right !
Our best advice to anyone looking at security is do it right !. Computer theft is far too lucrative to the criminals for them to be detered by cheap nik-naks and gimmicks, it does not fool anyone. Always seek the free and impartial advice of your local Police Crime Prevention Officer wherever possible
Secure IT believe in Theft Prevention rather than deterrent. The potential Business Disruption and Down Time suffered when a critical system is stolen is what is to be avoided at all costs.
Building Security
The location and layout of a building will have a significant influence of whether it will identified as a target by thieves. Where possible ensure that :
- Your site has a well maintained perimeter line with one main entrance/exit. This entrance should be controlled either by electronic means or by a security guard.
- Keep bushes and other foliage down to a minimum height. This will help staff to keep a watchful eye on your grounds and cars and reduce any concealment for potential thieves.
- Ensure walkways, car parks and other communial areas well illuminated.
- Access to buidings should be carefully controlled with all external entrances locked. A common ploy of thieves is to enter a building, scout around, then when challenged, state they are looking for work, make their excuses then leave, by which time they have a good account of the premises and it's contents..
- The building itself should be physically secure.
- Electronic Security
- A good quality alarm systems is essential, but only if it is connected to a 24 hour monitoring service.
- A strong main entrance, controlled via intercom/CCTV, will provide some protection from unwelcome daytime thieves.
- Provide a Panic Button facility for reception areas whereby a silent alarm may be raised during working hours
General Security
- Keep computer and other valuable equipment out of view from passing public or visitors.
- Ensure all staff are 'security aware' and instructed to report anything suspicious.
- Keep a current inventory of all equipment, including a description of the equipment it's make, model and serial numbers, together with any property marking.
- Property 'branding' can be a useful deterrent to theft. Having all items of equipment permanently marked with your post (zip) code will help police identify it's rightful owners. Be sure to check with your computer maintenance company if such branding will present them with a problem.
Computer Security
- ALWAYS ensure your Business Critical Systems are totally secure before anything else.
- Servers and key operational systems should be housed in a maximum security enclosure, preferable in a restricted area.
- Access to your computer room should be restricted to authorised personnel only.
- All PCs should be secured with either a secure containment system or enclosure. Laser printers should also be fitted with a containment system.
- Unless absolutely necessary have all the keys used for your computer security systems held centrally, in a safe if possible. This will give greater control of equipment movements and prevent valuable internal components from disapearing!. In the event of a day time robbery, if all systems are secured and the keys unavailable, your losses will be significantly reduced.
- If your business has information that is critcial to it's operations and maintaining a competative advantage, all efforts should be made to keep such information in-house and on a need-to-know (access) basis. Disabling floppy drives or applying floppy-locks will keep valuable data in and help keep nuisance viruses out.
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