Office theft can add up to thousands of dollars in lost profits. Secure your office with these extra office security tips:

* Always lock your office door, even if you step out for just a minute.

* Advise all employees to store purses and other valuables in locked drawers when they are away from their desks. Laptops are especially vulnerable to theft.

* Ask for proper identification from all service personnel who arrive at your office. Verify their purpose by checking service orders.

* Have deliveries moved to secured areas immediately upon receipt. Leaving them unattended is inviting to thieves of opportunity.

* Instruct all your employees to greet strangers with a polite “May I help you?” Acknowledging the presence of visitors may scare away potential thieves, yet also provides assistance and welcome to legitimate guests.

* Maintain detailed register of all office supplies, including inventory records of all office equipment serial numbers, and values and dates of purchases.

* Install security cameras throughout your office. Studies show not only a decrease in theft, but an increase in employee performance.

Install secure access control to all areas of your office. Keys and key cards can be transferred from person to person, even stolen, but biometric readers allow only explicitly authorised personnel access to secured areas.

It’s not surprising, security is becoming an increasingly important consideration in all aspects of our lives.

Unfortunately, now more than ever, there are increased threats to both people and their property. While this is not something we should become afraid of, it is an issue that we all need to be mindful of.

Business owners, including shops and retail outlets are increasingly becoming major targets and business-owners need to protect themselves accordingly.

Threats to business security can come in all forms and may include anything from fraud, burglary and robbery, to fire, vandalism and terrorist threats.

While a comprehensive Insurance policies will assist should the worst happen, proactive strategies should be put in place to minimise threats to security occurring.

Once implemented, these procedures should be reviewed regularly, at least annually, to ensure they continue to reflect the changing nature of your business as well as the environment in which you operate.

So, take a look around your business. How secure is it? Is the personal security of you, your staff and customers as protected as it can be? How vulnerable are property and stock?

Once you have assessed potential security issues, take action! Failure to put appropriate security measures in place not only leaves you exposed, it also impacts on your business insurance.

Your insurance company will require you to comply with their minimum security precautions for the type of business you run, such as the installation of a certain type of alarm or specific locks on external doors. Lack of compliance with the specified precautions may invalidate your policy and leave you dangerously exposed should an incident occur.

However, most business-owners want to go beyond just doing the bare minimum, understanding the importance of safeguarding the personal welfare of themselves, their staff and customers as well as the ability for their business to operate.

And just as selecting the right business insurance doesn’t work on a “one size fits all” approach, neither does your security planning.

A travel agency with no stock, only office equipment will have very different insurance needs to a jeweller who may have hundreds of thousands of pounds of stock on-hand.

Security planning does not necessarily have to involve sophisticated or expensive measures. A simple evaluation of potential risks and practical, cost-effective strategies could prevent considerable loss.

The following 10-point checklist provides a starting point for considering the security of your business premises:

1. Security lighting. Is security lighting installed throughout and around the premises? Are all lights operating? Is some lighting left on inside the business at night? Are entry and exits well lit?

2. Building design. Is the building solidly constructed so unauthorised access is restricted? Is there adequate protection against entry through the roof? Is the building secured to reduce the risk of vehicle ram raid?

3. Doors and window. Are the external doors and windows solidly constructed? Are they fitted with deadlocks? Are doors and windows locked at all times? Are skylights secured?

4. Property identification. Has the make, model and serial numbers of items such as computers, printers and photocopiers been recorded? Is your property photographed for identification?

5. Telephone. Are telephones pre-programmed with emergency contact numbers? Are telephone lines installed in such a way so they cannot be tampered with (particularly important if your alarm system is connected to your telephone line)?

6. Safes. Has a safe been installed? Is it appropriately positioned? Does it have a drop-chute facility? Is it kept locked?

7. Cash handling. Are there established cash handling procedures? Do you have irregular banking procedures? Is money counted out of public view? Do you use a company to transport cash?

8. Key and valuables control. Is there a key register? Are all keys secured? Do staff have somewhere to store their personal items securely? Is there restricted access to this area?

9. Alarm systems / surveillance equipment. Is an intruder alarm system installed? Is it monitored? Is surveillance equipment installed? Is footage recorded with the tapes kept for a minimum of seven days? Is there a fire alarm?

10. General. Are sensitive documents appropriately destroyed? Are computer passwords changed regularly? Do you have an emergency evacuation plan? Do staff know the plan?

In addition to the above checklist, the implementation of a security plan is an ideal time to review your business insurance. Consider:

• What does your existing Insurance policy cover?

• Have you met all the minimum requirements stipulated in your policy?

• Have you updated your business insurance policy to reflect any new purchases or changes to your business?

• Do you need to upgrade your insurance to include add-ons such as stock protection, contents insurance or theft by employees?

Practical security planning, coupled with comprehensive and appropriate business insurance coverage, will ensure the safety of personnel and property in somewhat uncertain times.