Summer security shortfalls put two million small businesses at risk of burglary

A staggering 44% of small businesses are at an increased risk of theft due to security lapses in the Summer months, according to new research released by specialist business insurer Hiscox.

This means that Summer security shortfalls are potentially putting two million small businesses at risk of burglary.

At a time when cash flow is tight and an office theft could be devastating to a small business, the survey found that basic security lapses at company premises are putting SMEs at risk:

Just under half (44%) of small businesses say staff are more lax about closing windows, setting alarms and locking exit doors in the summer months of June to August
One in five respondents (20%) have arrived at work to discover that a window or exit has been unlocked or the alarm is not set
Almost half (48%) believe workers are never as stringent about security measures in the workplace as they would be in their own homes.

The study also reveals that small business owners are themselves failing to prioritise their security strategies. Even in times when redundancies are commonplace, almost three quarters admit that they don’t change locks and access codes to the office when staff leave the company office or premises.
Of even more concern for a sector where there is often only one person left in the office, almost eight out of ten small businesses take no extra security precautions for employees who find themselves in this situation.

The implications of an office robbery can be huge for a small business so to help businesses to reduce the risk of theft, Hiscox has some security tips:

Make sure you use all your security measures every time the office is left unattended
Protect your business by changing access codes and removing systems access when employees leave
Have a business continuity plan for how you would do business if your office is damaged or you lost some equipment. Regularly test the plan to make sure it works
Take appropriate steps to protect sensitive business information, including clients’ data.