As you prepare your office for holiday closures and plan for 2018 it’s a great opportunity to review your security needs, especially if you are planning on growing your team or moving offices in the next year.
Any office harbors valuable equipment, such as computers and monitors, as well as employees' assets. As such, security should be a key consideration for even the smallest office. Burglaries of non-residential locations, like stores and offices, occur about 550,000 times a year, according to data collected by the FBI. Too often companies wait until an incident occurs before investing in the right solution for their space. However, there are smart, cost-conscious strategies to prevent and minimize the loss from office break-ins.
“Security” actually covers a wide range of products, systems, and services, many of which work together to keep a workplace or commercial space protected from issues such as intruders, theft, and damage. When you pick the right system for your space you have the peace of mind that you are protected and, if something does happen, you’ll be able to get back to business quickly. The main types of security systems include access control, surveillance, and alarms and sensors. To help you understand your options and choose the right one for your space, download the Office Security Simplified guide, which we created based on our experience helping our clients choose the right system for their office.
Security is not just about which systems you install or what levels of access control to put in place. Security starts with how your team treats each other and expectations for behavior in the workplace. Take time to define and publicize what respect means in your workplace and how you expect employees, guests, and vendors who visit your space to conduct themselves.
A Code of Conduct, which Ashe Dryden defines as a public statement that sets the ground rules for participation in a specific community, is an important tool in creating a secure, safe workplace. It can benefit all team members because, when done well, it sets clear expectations for behavior, outlines how to report violations, and enumerates the potential consequences for those who violate it. The goal is to make expectations for behavior clear so there are no surprises. Everyone knows what is permitted in your space and what isn’t, and everyone knows what happens if you don’t follow the Code. Teams managing the office culture and space can work together to create a Code of Conduct for your office and post it publically so that it provides a clear reminder of the secure culture you all have committed to creating.

Managed by Q is the platform for office management. Q makes it easy to run an office by connecting companies to services, including cleaning, maintenance, office administration, IT, and security. A solution for recurring and ad-hoc office needs, Q saves companies valuable time and supports office operations for thousands of businesses nationwide.