Top Security Tips for Small Businesses: How to Develop a Neighborhood Incident Response Plan

By: Aaron Weissenfluh | COO of Tenfold Security

Why Small & Midsize Businesses Need Enhanced Security Measures

Recently, the rear window of my car was broken while parked next to our office. Fortunately, it could have been much worse; an employee of a neighboring business had his car stolen the same day. Both of us spent over 30 minutes on hold with the police department, only to find that no officers would be dispatched, and we had to file our reports online.?

Police departments across the country are increasingly overwhelmed, leaving them unable to respond promptly to non-critical incidents. Given these constraints, it’s crucial for small to midsize businesses to proactively seek alternative security solutions to protect their assets and employees.?

3 Simple Security Steps for Protecting Small to Midsize Businesses

To better protect our business and those we share our building with, we’ve implemented three simple yet effective security measures:

1. Know thy neighbor
2. Incident response plan
3. Video surveillance, monitoring, lighting

Know Thy Neighbor: The Role of Community in Business Security

While I am naturally introverted, I’ve realized that building relationships with neighboring businesses is crucial for mutual safety and security. By getting to know the people around us, we can more easily identify individuals who seem out of place. Just this week, I noticed someone checking doors early in the morning. When I approached him to introduce myself, he quickly left the area, likely deterred by the sense of community vigilance.??

Simple Steps to Develop a Business Incident Response Plan

Sharing a building with 3 other businesses, we know how vital it is to have a well-defined incident response plan. While the plan doesn’t need to cover every conceivable crisis, it’s essential to start with the major threats and expand as needed. Focus on the big four:?

• Natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes)
• Physical violence or intrusion, including active shooter scenarios (terrorist events)
• Critical infrastructure failures (power, water, internet)
• Fire and safety emergencies

For an effective incident response plan, make sure to include key information for your neighbors, such as:

1. Primary contact information: Name, phone numbers, and email addresses of key personnel
2. Secondary contact information: Name, phone numbers, and email addresses of backup contacts
3. Emergency rally points, escape routes, and shelter-in-place locations: Clear guidance on where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency

A prime example of a critical component in our plan is the preparation for natural disasters, like tornadoes–a common occurrence in the Midwest. Since our business operates out of a basement suite, we are designated to provide shelter for building occupants during such events. Establishing a solid relationship with our neighbors and sharing a comprehensive response plan is essential for ensuring everyone’s safety.?

After you distribute your incident response plan, perform a test to ensure that it works.

How Video Surveillance and Proper Lighting Improve Business Security

We've installed hardwired video surveillance cameras and granted access to everyone in the building. While video surveillance alone does not directly protect or significantly deter crime, it serves two important purposes:

1. In the event of a security incident, video footage provides law enforcement with crucial leads and helps businesses learn from the event.
2. Before leaving the office, employees can check the external cameras to ensure there are no suspicious individuals lurking outside.

In addition, the building owner has graciously installed strategic lighting to eliminate poorly lit areas that previously attracted loiterers and potential criminals.

Practical Security Solutions for Small and Midsize Businesses

By implementing these simple solutions, we have not only enhanced the security of our business but also prepared ourselves for potential future incidents. Our mission is to help protect small to midsize businesses protect themselves proactively. Prevention is key, and it starts with simple yet effective strategies. If you need assistance with preparing or testing a small business incident response plan, we’re here to help.