Preparing your Business for a Security Audit

It’s common for us to use checklists and guides to make sure we’re meeting our goals and carrying out procedures correctly. Well, security audits are basically like a security checklist for your company, that is carried out to ensure your business is meeting internal security policies and also complying with external regulations.

Here, we explore why security audits are important and how your business can prepare for them.

What is a Business Security Audit?

A Business Security Audit is basically an honest, comprehensive assessment of your company’s security system and assets, as well as their functionality. Based on this assessment, you will be able to gauge a thorough understanding of security at your business, as well as identify any areas for improvement. 

There are three main types of Business Security Audits:

• Internal – run by staff members within your organisation, on a regular basis
• Second-party – in collaboration with a specific supplier you use, regarding a particular piece of security equipment 
• Third-party – working with external security experts, like those at Stonewall Security

Why is a Business Security Audit important?

Ensuring your organisation is secure should be a constant priority of any business owner, and that includes keeping both your premises and staff safe. 

However, as the world continues to change, the security needs of businesses are bound to evolve at the same time. By regularly examining and assessing security at your business, Business Security Audits will help you to identify any gaps in your current processes, determine whether any of your employees need additional training and decide if you need to create any extra security policies.

What does a Business Security Audit assess?

The standards of your Business Security Audit should be set by your management team, in collaboration with a professional security advisor, like those at Stonewall Security. When preparing for your audit, you should look specifically at these three areas:

• Assessing your equipment and on-site security
• Evaluating potential threats and risks to your business
• Connecting with security experts like Stonewall Security 

Assessing your equipment and on-site security

Take a look at your the current security systems your have on site. Can you identify any gaps? Could anymore be done to enhance security on your premises?

You might want to look at the following:

• Security alarms 
• CCTV systems (where they are places and what they are covering)
• Where any computers, laptops and tablets are
• Fire alarms
• Staff phones
• Remote pay systems (POS Systems)
• WiFi networks and servers
• Door access control solutions

Evalutating potential threats and risks to your business

Once you’ve assessed your company’s security equipment, you should take a look at the potential threats and risks to your business, to make sure you have the correct processes in place.

Remember, each business will have its own list of potential threats and risks but you can use the questions below to help get you started:

• How can people access our building? How many people – including employees – have access to our premises?
• What process is taken when someone visits the business?
• Are all access points safely secured, day and night?
• Do we store cash, or valuable items on-site? If so, how are these stored?
• Do all employees have access to all areas on-site?
• Do we store sensitive or financial data?
• How often do we back up data?
• Are all of our systems password protected?
• Do we regularly complete cyber security threat assessments?
• Are all employee devices in the workplace safe and secure?

Connect with security experts

Now you’ve assessed your current equipment and workplace security, as well as evaluated any potential threats and risks to your business, you should connect with security professionals and get your audit started.

Remember to set up a timeframe, scheduling in regular assessment meetings as well as post-audit catch ups, to make sure you can evaluate what areas need improving. 

If you would like to know more about preparing your business for its next Security Audit, or would like to connect with industry leading experts, then get in touch with Stonewall Security.