Business Security Information

A couple of months ago I was having a discussion with a contractor who had thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment stolen.   I was discussing with him different ways to make improvements to security so that he would be less likely to experience some of the large security losses he had suffered.  One of his comments was that he had a $1000 deductible with his insurance company so he would never spend any more than that to improve security.   I realized then that a lot of businesses really feel that security is just a waste of time and money.  In this short article, I am going to share some of the reasons security should be thought of as an investment and not a waste.

On a recent trip, I stopped for gasoline and a snack at a convenience store along the highway.  When I entered the store, I noticed a bulletproof enclosure (also called bandit barriers) had been installed at the cashier’s counter.  It was different from other ones I had seen used in check-cashing businesses and banks in that it moved horizontally. The cashier could simply press a switch, and the bulletproof cashier window would open or close.  During the day when the risk of robbery may be less, the window could be left open.  In this way, interaction with customers could occur more easily, and it did not appear as intimidating to those visiting the convenience store.

In my last article, I wrote about the importance of padlocks and gates.   I also mentioned that chain link fences do not really provide good security for a storage yard or lot.  In most situations, metal fence type barriers (such as in the pictures) provide better security than chain link fences.  The pictures show a good security solution for protecting huge equipment tires but would provide no real security if you were trying to protect smaller stored items or against someone trying to steal parts from your equipment or vehicles.  Always choose a security solution that will fit your needs and provide adequate security for what you are trying to protect.

When trying to protect or secure a lot or other area, most businesses fence in the area and secure any opening to the lot with some type of gate. The fencing is usually of the chain link type which does not provide good perimeter security; however, that is not the focus of this article. Right now, I want to focus on how the gate is secured during business hours. Since open gates are necessary for the smooth functioning of the business, I am referring to padlocks used to secure the gate during non-business hours being left open during business hours. If you look at the pictures included in this article, you will see examples of what I mean. In each picture, regardless of whether it is a chain link gate or a swing arm gate, an open padlock is hanging on the gate.

You hear about customer and employee personal information being lost or stolen from businesses quite frequently.  This information is accessed using a variety of attack methods including SQL injection, buffer overflows, use of default accounts, and even the loss of unencrypted backup tapes.  No amount or type of security will guarantee absolute database security for your business, but until you implement some basic database security measures, you are wasting your time and money on more elaborate security measures.

Despite its complicated pronunciation, the word obfuscate merely means is to change, alter, modify, or obscure.  In business, you probably use this more than you think.  On the web, businesses often use URL shortening services which take a long URL (website address) and make it a short one.  These shorter URL’s are then used in an e-mail or instant message, on a blog, or on social media sites such as Facebook.  Twitter is probably one of the most popular places URL shortening (obfuscated URL’s) services are used since you are limited on the number of characters you can put in each tweet.  I have also seen it used in e-books and other informational products that are downloaded off the web.  URL shortening services hide the original and often long URL.