Just Locking Your Perimeter? 6 Areas To Lock Up Inside Your Business

Is your business as secure as it should be? If you only use exterior door and gate locks, the answer is probably no. A range of interior spaces and storage should also be protected by lock and key. What are some of the most important and why? Learn what every owner and manager needs to know.

1. Management Offices

Even the most relaxed small business should maintain some level of separation between management work areas and the rest of the operation.

Many startup operations rely heavily on their first employees and have a very open business relationship with them. But that doesn't mean that management is open to everyone. Boosting security for those in charge helps create structure in the organization and treats it like the growing, professional business it is.

Wherever managers or owners work should be able to maintain security for planning, presentation prep, research and development, payroll, bookkeeping, and personnel files. This could be a suite of offices, one office, or just a single desk.

2. Accounting Department

The work areas for bookkeeping, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable need their own security options. These are often overlooked, but accounting usually holds some of the highest concentrations of sensitive materials in any company. They also must handle sensitive conversations and meetings and meet with clients and employees to discuss matters privately. Give them places to do so.

3. Payroll and Client Files

Personally identifiable information is anything which contains individuals' names, addresses, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, credit card information, or personal details. Most businesses with employees have a great deal of this in payroll and human resources files. And nearly all businesses have some kind of client files with at least some personal information. 

Lack of protection for these leaves you open to lawsuits, fines, and serious reputation damage. 

4. Cash Storage

Where does your business keep cash or cash equivalents (like checks and credit card numbers)? Do you have cashiers’ drawers? Does the reception desk take payments? Do you maintain a petty cash box? Any location—no matter how far back in the office it is—needs to be secured when there is liquid cash.

It may feel like overkill to lock up small locations like these, but it's a basic part of good cash control. It also makes it easier to prevent or identify fraud, embezzlement, or just poor cash management. 

5. Desk Cabinets

Sometimes, an employee needs to lock something up unexpectedly or temporarily. Maybe they received a company credit card after hours or are only partway through a financial report when they need to leave. Perhaps you ask them to help with some sensitive internal research or a customer left something valuable behind. Where will they put things? 

Make it easy for employees to secure miscellaneous things when needed by providing at least one secure desk drawer, file cabinet, or desk cabinet at each work area. Even though these security issues are less common and hard to predict, lockable storage allows employees to better protect your business. 

6. Computer Servers

Lock up your computer equipment to better protect your online presence. While businesses today need to bulk up cybersecurity to prevent unwanted intruders, they also need to secure the physical connections in the office. Servers, mobile devices, laptops, and administrative workspaces are dangerous risk points. Don't let people wander in and out of the areas where these are stored. 

Which of these internal areas could use more, better, or even first-time security? Find out by meeting with the experienced commercial locksmiths at Atlasta Lock and Safe Company. For more than 50 years, we've helped Portland-area businesses protect their investment, their customers, and their employees. Call today to make an appointment or stop by our convenient Portland or Beaverton locations.