When you run a small business, security is one of your highest priorities. But as your business expands, it can be difficult to make decisions about key control. Some of the most important aspects of an effective key-control policy for your small business are as follows.
Complete Records
Should a security breach happen, you'll need to know exactly who had access to the affected area. Start by protecting your business with thorough key records. Take note of all employees who have their own keys and what those keys open.
If you have restricted areas in your building, create a system for recording who accessed those areas. Your records may be as simple as a sign-in sheet that employees must date and time stamp when they pick up and drop off the keys.
If some of your doors open with a passcode, keep a record of who has the code and of how often the code changes. Knowing who has the codes to specific entry points can help you keep track of when individuals enter or exit those areas.
Key Issuance and Return Policies
As you expand your company policies, write down specific guidelines for key usage. Determine when your employees are given their keys and under what circumstances an employee must return a set of keys. For example, do new hires get their keys on their first day of work or after they shadow a new employee for a few days?
Additionally, set out policies regarding key loss. Consider charging a fee for lost keys that can help you cover the expense of re-keying the affected locks.
Professional Access Control
If the lock system in your build was in place when you first moved your business there, consider getting an upgrade. You have no way of knowing who may still have keys to pre-existing locks.
Getting custom, professional access control also allows you to create a master key system if you choose so that you don't have to flip through a giant keyring when you need to access a storeroom. In addition to your master key, you may decide to create secondary master keys or keys that open most locks for your business partners or senior employees.
To make your business premises more secure or develop your key-control policy, consult with a company such as Gene's Lock and Security. Such a company can make recommendations based on your business industry, premises layout, and number of employees.
Share13 October 2016
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