5 security areas to focus on during the COVID-19 pandemic

An organisation is never less secure than when it’s in the midst of a crisis and right now, almost every business under the sun is suffering through a pretty substantial crisis and that crisis has a name – coronavirus.

There’s no doubt about it – the security industry is one of the many going through a challenging time right now, with many firms struggling to figure out how to survive and thrive given the current situation.

However, any business choosing to skirt security practices during lockdown might be in for a shock.

Because, whilst UK crime has fallen by more than 20% during lockdown, burglaries are up, particularly in empty establishments such as pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality sector buildings.

Not only that, but police are suggesting that the recent economic difficulties could lead to a substantial rise in crime and disorder in a post-lockdown world.

So, how should businesses be focusing their security operations to best survive during and after the coronavirus lockdown?

1. Adapting to survive

The unprecedented measures that have been instigated by the government as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to many businesses operating under completely different environments and mindsets.

In such times, certain protocols and measures that might have been necessary in the pre-lockdown world might no longer be as essential.

2. Risk Assessment

Decent risk assessment is crucial in establishing and preparing for the fresh threats that might occur during the pandemic.

Crime will likely remain low during the lockdown period itself, for example, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be those among the population willing to take advantage of the fact that so many shops are empty and so many business security systems have been turned off.

3. Secure your Staff

Having more people working from home than ever before provides its own set of risks. Encourage your employees to take personal responsibility and if hiring any fresh staff, ensure that the screening process is more rigorous, as face-to-face interviews are likely to be postponed for the foreseeable future.

4. Spread your resources

Security staff are also likely to be significantly more limited during this time so it’s important to deploy your staff more effectively.

Unfortunately, spreading your resources a little more thinly might be necessary for a while and that means investing more effort into keeping those that are able to work safe and secure themselves.

5. Don’t neglect physical security

With the lockdown necessitating a more profound move towards an online future, it can be convenient for some companies to focus their efforts more on cybersecurity.

However, with many of us now returning to work (perhaps sooner than anticipated), it’s vital that businesses invest in their physical security, not only to keep their businesses safe but to keep their employees safe.

Access control and CCTV should be utilised to ensure that employees are keeping their distance from one another and that only a certain number of employees are allowed on-site at all times.

Then, of course, there’s the question of what to do when the world ‘returns to normal’ and we all go back to work.

There is bound to be a period of adjustment as people acclimatise to the ‘new normal’, as it’s unlikely that social distancing will be going anywhere anytime soon.

With a reliable security system in place, however, that can track and trace employee behaviour, any business should be able to survive the blight that has been COVID-19.