Running a franchise can be a one-way ticket to success. You get all the brand name recognition, customer loyalty and repeat business that the parent brand delivers while working hard in the business for a steady profit. AYou get to be your own boss, and while you need to be accountable to the head franchise office, you still get the freedom that comes with running your own business – including being able to hire your own staff and build a dependable team. It’s nice being able to build up something from nothing and forge a future for yourself and your family, and ensure that you have ample savings to keep you comfortable once you retire.
But running a business means protecting your assets and your property, inventory and staff. Security measures for business are no joking matter, and you need to ensure that your franchise is protected and secure. Lucky for you, this helpful article is going to share all about business security, from commercial CCTV to cybersecurity. Continue reading to learn more.
Commercial CCTV Systems
You should contact a professional security company for CCTV installation. This is a necessary type of business security that utilises closed-circuit television cameras to capture moving images of the environment outside and within your business. Simply put, CCTV cameras are an essential security measure for any franchise, from fast food to printing services.
CCTV systems will capture images of robbers gaining illicit entry into a location or armed bandits attempting a stickup. You are then able to share the captured footage with the police investigating the robbery, who can hopefully arrest and prosecute the criminal fiends responsible. If you own a fast food franchise, you’ll want CCTV inside the restaurant as well to deter and provide evidence of any antisocial behaviour or assaults on staff that occur within the premises.
In addition to this essential security measure to protect your assets and staff, a business owner can use CCTV to help the authorities solve crimes near the CCTV system by sharing any footage of nearby crimes that have occurred with police. For instance, if someone was assaulted outside your store, the police can use your footage to investigate the crime and bring the perp to justice.
Invest in an Alarm System
Another type of essential security technology that’s excellent for franchisee business owners is an alarm system. These are specialised systems designed to send an alert to the professional security company or your phone if motion or unauthorised entry is detected in your store or restaurant once the alarm has been set upon closing for the evening.
In addition to sending an alert, these systems can blare a loud, jarring klaxon that will shock burglars and send them scampering without any pilfered goods or cash. Some alarm systems are also programmed to alert nearby law authorities, which ensures that any burglary attempts or break-ins are automatically recorded with your local police station.
The same security company that sets up your CCTV should be able to install alarm systems at your location, so be sure to inquire with your security contractor about having an alarm system set up alongside your security cameras.
Cyber Security for Franchises
In this modern, connected world, franchise owners must practise cyber security measures and invest in digital security systems. If you hold sensitive data, such as customer’s credit card numbers, banking details, personal data and other sensitive information, you need to protect it. If you take payments or issue invoices online, you need to have secure payment systems on your website.
To guarantee excellent cybersecurity, you should create difficult-to-guess passwords and change them every six months for all internal networks and your website admin section. Consider a helpful and encrypted password app like LastPass or something similar.
Franchise owners should also be sure to invest in a 360 cyber security software suite – there are various products available that offer anti-virus, anti-malware and spyware, and anti-ransomware protection for an ongoing subscription fee, which should be tax deductible come July.
Furthermore, if you employ staff, you need to train them in essential cyber security awareness and prevention practices, such as being able to spot a phishing email, essential password security protocols, and online security knowledge, especially if you have staff who work remotely or hybrid.
Yes, investing in your cyber security will require franchise owners to spend a little more than they may have expected to when setting up and maintaining their business. But of all the hidden costs of owning and operating your own franchise, the value of your digital security investments really cannot be overstated – especially in this rapidly digitising world.
Access Control Systems
Finally, setting up your franchise business location with an access control locking system is another essential security protocol to consider. These PIN based systems will open the doors, safe or other secure areas with the correct access code. From here, the doors will click open, allowing your staff to gain access and secure the building when they lock up at night.
Some systems can also be fob card enabled, meaning staff use a fob that they can attach to their lanyard or keychain that they can use to gain access to the building. If someone enters an incorrect PIN or attempts entry without the fob, the access system can alert your security company, who can contact you to verify who was attempting entry.
When paired with strategically positioned CCTV camera systems, these access control measures can help you identify any opportunistic trespassers well before they ever have the chance to gain unauthorised access to your business premises.
A Secure Summary
This helpful article has shared the top security systems and technologies you can utilise to protect your franchise business. Invest in these for a secure operation and to have complete peace of mind.
If you have any questions about the security measures and technologies we’ve outlined above and whether they may be the right fit for your business, then be sure to consult with a commercial security contractor, and perhaps even communicate with your franchisor to see if they may have their own insights to offer with regards to your franchise security.