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Not sure if your business is secure? Then follow our five-step checklist:

• Software

Ensure you use strong keywords for all of your technological gadgets, incorporating a mixture of numbers, upper and lower case letters and symbols. Change your passwords regularly – at least every 3 months and don’t write them down. Consider setting up a two-step login where you have to fill in a password, followed by a code.

Also, keep your anti-virus protection up-to-date – Norton, McAfee and Panda remain popular. If you’re finding your software licenses expensive explore the range of open software available – just ensure whatever you choose, you can use them for commercial use.

• Disposing of technology

When you are disposing of software such as your office computers, ensure you’re getting rid of them responsibly and erase the hard drives before you do. Remember you must abide by the data protection act. Look for an authorised contractor to assist you, who will dispose of computers according to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive – some charities now offer this service so that you would be doing a good turn too.

• Keys

Do you know who has access to your premises? Ensure you know who has keys to your business premises. It’s not just the outside that counts – be sure to consider how many keys within the premises are used to open internal doors, cabinets and other storage. Do you know how many keys have been handed out by the business and do you know who has them? Do you have a way to control the duplication of keys? Ensure you have an up-to-date key control policy and that you can trace to whom keys have been issued.

A reputable locksmith can design a master key system for your business that has a patented lock with restricted access to the duplication of keys. If you are considering fitting new locks to your business premises, then make sure you are meeting the terms of your insurance policy too.  Additionally, you might want to consider engaging a key holding service from a security company in your local area. Are you looking for reputable security companies near you to assist you with key holding services and other security services? Then help is at hand.

• Consider security cameras

Security cameras can give you peace of mind, whether they’re acting as a deterrent to make people think twice about their actions or enabling you to investigate an incident at a later date. The location and type of security cameras are crucial if they are to be effective, so do enlist the assistance of a professional. If your business is likely to grow in the future then consider a contract that allows you to scale up if you need to.

• Fit an alarm

If you haven’t already, consider installing an alarm system into your business premises. Get the locks right first, and then look at your alarm choices. A range of options are available, so do consult a professional to find the right type for your business and ensure they are members of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB). First and foremost consider what you want from the device, from a signal to be sent to a remote monitoring centre, or a call put into the police.

We hope that this 5 point checklist has been helpful to you in evaluating the security of your business and it’s given you food for thought on how best to approach this in the future.

Whether you’re planning on organising a red carpet event, a fashion show, a trade show or a small exhibition, having the correct security measures in place for the size of your event can ensure that it will run as safely and as smoothly as it should. Below, we’ve put together seven security tips that you should follow when organising your next event.

1. Hiring a security firm

Even when hiring a company dedicated to security, it is important to get references and accreditations to ensure that they are fully qualified and licensed. Accreditations such as SIA licences and DBS checks are essential. It is also a good idea to ask other event organisers for recommendations regarding which security firms they may have worked well with in the past.

2. Choosing an appropriate venue

More often than not, the biggest problem when it comes to event security is the fact that organisers have chosen a venue that is not appropriate for what they have planned. During the initial stages of planning, you should try and see the venue yourself and consider things such as entrances and exits, emergency parking spots and even knowing the location of the nearest fire station, hospital and police department. If possible, get your security team to go with you to the venue, as it’s likely they will spot potential safety risks before you.

3. Checking IDs and bags

If you are the event organiser, it is your responsibility for knowing exactly who is coming in and out of the venue. You should, therefore, have a list of everyone that is due to attend the event and get staff to check for the relevant ID as they enter. Both guests and event staff should be prepared to have their bags searched, and these should be done by security, as it is more likely that people will be willing to comply if uniformed personnel is in charge. There should also be an area for items taken from guests that they can retrieve as they leave. To make sure this goes smoothly, it could be worth mentioning the issue of bag searches on the invites.

4. Getting the balance right

One of the most important things that should be considered when organising an event is the balance between the number of people attending and the amount of security you will require. If your event is relatively small, don’t overcrowd guests with a huge amount of security staff, as this may make them feel intimidated for no reason. With a large event, you may need to consider issues such as crowd control, but by liaising with your chosen security firm, they should be able to provide you with the best solution.

5. Brief your team

Before the start of your event, it is always worthwhile to brief your security team on any problems that you think may arise. You can also ask these security professionals if there is anything that they think you could improve on regarding the security of your event. Your security staff should be aware of how many people the venue is legally allowed to hold and how many are due to attend the event.

6. Have medical support

For large events, it is particularly important to have an onsite medical team available for first response action to major things such as food allergies, heart attacks, panic attacks or even minor problems such as slips and falls.

7. Stick to a clear safety budget

If you’re planning a high-profile event, it may be wise to save a bulk of your budget to go toward event security. Indeed, implementing a clear safety procedure at your event is a legal requirement, so it’s important that you can deliver a safe

and effective service for all guests.