Measuring, managing and mitigating the impact of coronavirus on your security system
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to spread relentlessly across the globe and showing little sign of stopping, more companies have been forced to adopt stronger security measures to keep their employees safe and prevent spreading the virus.
Until recently, this was of little concern in the UK, given that the vast majority of businesses were on mandatory lockdown.
However, with the recent announcement that it is now possible (indeed, actively encouraged) for people in the UK to return to work if it is not possible for them to work from home, organisations will begin to notice the impact the virus and its ramifications could have on their security systems.
Indeed, their current systems might simply not be equipped to cope. So, what effect will this new status quo and the continuing impact of the virus have on UK business security? And what systems should we all be using to help mitigate the risks it poses?
Visitor management
The first line of defence, so to speak, should be an advanced security system that is able to quickly, efficiently and reliably take inventory, so to speak, of all visitors before entering the property.
The complexity of this system will depend on the size of your company, as we can’t envisage local retail stores employing digital kiosks enquiring whether or not people have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
However, the obvious ‘lo-fi’ replacement would be employing security personnel to ask the relevant questions and make an informed decision as to whether or not patrons should be allowed to enter the premises.
Access control
With this week representing just a gradual return to normal for the British workforce, there are going to be situations where only a handful of employees are required on-site.
In such circumstances, an access control system will allow only those who need to be working in the office access and this can be done via custom passcodes, keycards, or even biometric scan.
Access control systems also allow for incredibly flexible security functionality that can be altered on the fly if required and can also be managed remotely, which is ideal for providing access to deliveries without making physical contact too.
Remote support
Remote security management is not something that would have been possible even a few decades ago but today it’s not only possible but surprisingly affordable.
CCTV cameras can be accessed via the cloud on your smartphone and everything from intruder alarms to security gate controls can quite feasibly be controlled from just about anywhere with a stable WiFi or mobile network signal.
The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it has meant lots of empty warehouses and offices, but just because they are empty (and potential hotspots for criminals) that doesn’t mean you can’t still keep an eye on them; such is the power of modern security technology.
Businesses across the board are working hard to refine their response plans to the pandemic and those that are not doing so must, otherwise, they simply won’t be able to compete safely in an economy that isn’t in the best health.
Security systems, when used correctly or built upon and supplemented by additional infrastructure, can be incredibly helpful in this refinement as long as you’re willing to make that initial investment.